SATIRE Vocabulary Flashcards

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to the concept of satire and its various devices, tones, and forms.

Horatian Satire

A gentle, sympathetic form of satire that mildly pokes fun at its target and sees the topic as more foolish than evil.

Juvenalian Satire

A biting, angry form of satire that ridicules an issue as urgent and severe, possibly evil.

Mockery

Making fun of someone or something in a derisive way.

Sarcasm

Harsh, personally directed comments where what is said is the opposite of what is meant, intended to be painful.

Overstatement/Hyperbole

An exaggeration saying more than is meant, such as 'I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.'

Understatement

Saying less than what is meant, for example 'Mount Everest was slightly challenging to climb.'

Litotes

Ironic understatement in a negative form, e.g., 'Michael Jordan’s not a bad ball player.'

Parody

Imitation of a specific, known person, literary work, or event, often involving mockery.

Irony

A situation or statement in which the outcome is contrary to what is expected; can be verbal, dramatic, or situational.

Bathos

Moving from the serious to the ridiculous very quickly, as in 'I love my country, my wife, my job, and chocolate candy.'

Mock-heroic

Imitation of the epic style in a comedic manner, characterized by exaggeration and distortion.

Burlesque

Comedy characterized by ridiculous exaggeration and distortion; discrepancy between subject matter and style.

Lampoon

Writing that ridicules and satirizes a person in a bitter or scornful manner.

Inversion

Asserting that something good is bad and bad is good, e.g., 'How horrible it would be if every family had a house to live in.'

Invective

Abusive language; harsh or insulting accusations.

Caricature

A description of a person that exaggerates certain characteristics while oversimplifying others.

Persona

The 'mask' or second self through which a narrative is told.

Ridicule

To make fun of someone or something; intended to evoke laughter.

Diatribe

A discourse characterized by harsh or abusive argument.

Farce

Improbable situations that excite laughter.

Innuendo

Suggestions with derogatory implications or covert insults.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that may, in fact, be true.