lit satire terms

Sarcasm (device)

words that mean the opposite of what the speaker truly intends to say, especially in order to criticize, mock, or convey contempt, often with the intention of being humorous.

sardonic (tone)

a style of mocking, cynical, or scornful humor that is often bitter, biting, and contemptuous

Parody (type of satire)

a creative work that humorously imitates the style of a specific, existing work, author, artist, or genre in order to make fun of or comment on the original

Mocking (tone)

making fun of someone or something in a cruel way; derisive.

ridicule (device)

the subjection of someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior.

lampoon (type of satire)

the subjection of someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior.

caricature (type of satire)

a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

epigram (device)

a short, clever, memorable saying or poem that expresses a witty, surprising, or satirical idea

farce (type of satire)

a type of comedy that uses exaggerated characters and highly improbable or ridiculous situations to entertain an audience, primarily through physical humor and absurdity.

facetious (tone/device)

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

self-deprecating (tone/device)

the act of belittling or undervaluing oneself, often through humor, to appear more relatable or humble

urbane (tone)

Notable polite or polished manner

irony (device)

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

paradox (device)

a statement, situation, or idea that seems contradictory or absurd but, upon closer examination, reveals a deeper truth, often challenging logic and prompting deeper thought, like "less is more" or "the only constant is change".

Hyperbole (device)

A great exaggeration

burlesque (type of satire)

ridicules a subject by presenting a ludicrous or grotesque imitation, creating humor through the disparity between the style and the subject matter

Verisimilitude (device)

Elements that give the appearance of being true or real.

Synecdoche (device)

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole

mock epic (type of satire)

a satirical literary work that uses the grand style, conventions, and elevated language of classical epic poetry but applies them to trivial, absurd, or everyday subjects, creating humor through the ironic contrast, often to comment satirically on society or literature

iambic pentameter (literary element used in satire at times)

a poetic rhythm with five "feet" per line, each foot being an "iamb"—two syllables, with the first unstressed and the second stressed (da

Metonymy (device)

the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant

Horatian Satire (category of satire)

Satire that is light hearted, fun, impersonal

Augustan Verse

English poetry of the early 18th century, named after the Roman Emperor Augustus's classical "golden age," characterized by wit, satire, order, and imitation of Latin poets like Virgil, using the balanced heroic couplet (iambic pentameter couplets) to critique society, express reason, and promote moral instruction

Zeugma (device)

a figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses.”He held his breath and the door for me.”

Juvenalian Satire (category of satire)

Satie that is bitting, harsh, and bitter. Often targets a specific person, group, or institution.

Novella

a work of narrative prose fiction longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, typically 20,000 to 40,000 words, offering focused depth on fewer characters, themes, and conflicts than a novel, balancing brevity with detailed exploration, often covering a central event or idea without complex subplots or multiple POVs

Cantos

one of the sections into which certain long poems are divided.

Incongruent (device)

Elements that are not matching

Understatement (device)

a literary device or figure of speech where something is described as less important, serious, or intense than it actually is, often

Picaresque (type of satire)

relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero.

Overstatement (device)

the action of expressing or stating something too strongly; exaggeration.