AP LANG Satire vocab

Substitution

These are not metaphors or similes-these are parallels that lead to insight. They are reasonable comparisons that might lead to fully developed satires for each situation.

Satire

A literary work or genre in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision or wit

Caricature

A representation, especially pictorial or literary in which the subject’s distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect

Lampoon

Publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm

Irony

Use of language and expectations that are inappropriate or wildly opposite from the expected

Ridicule

To subject (someone or something) to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior

Burlesque

A literary or dramatic work that ridicules a subject either by presenting a solemn subject in an undignified style or an inconsequential subject in a dignified style

Wit

Mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence; a natural aptitude for using words and idea in a quick and inventive way to create humor

Hyperbole

A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect

Understatement

Any expression that minimizes the importance of something, opposite of hyperbole

Litotes

Ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary (you won’t be sorry= you’ll be glad)

Parody

A literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule

Folly

A lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight or an act or instance of folishness

Vice

An evil, degrading or immoral practice or habit;serious moral failing; wicked or evil conduct or habits; corruption

Absurd

Ridiculously incongruous or unreasonable

Target

An object of criticism or attack

Juxtapose

To place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast

Allegory

A symbolic story in which people, places, events, and objectives have additional meaning or figurative meaning

Utopianism

A criticism of the status quo through comparison with a superior kind of society that highlights the weaknesses of ones own

Dystopianism

A criticism of certain aspects of society through comparison to an inferior society that adopts some of these aspects

Reversal

The satirist uses/ describes the opposite of what he actually wants to happen in order to make a point, a form of irony