Satire Terms

Mockery

Making fun of someone or something “

Sarcasm

Harsh, personally directed comments in

which what is said is the opposite of what

is meant. Unlike verbal irony, sarcasm is

intended to be painful.

OVerstatement/Hyperbole

Saying more than is meant; an exaggeration

Understatement

Saying less than what is meant

Litotes

Ironic exaggeration in a negative form; “Tiger woods is not a bad golfer”

Parody

Imitation of a specific, known person, literary work, movie, or event; often involves mockery

Bathos

Moving from the serious to the ridiculous very quickly

Mock-heroic

Imitation (exaggeration and distortion) of literary epic style

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, scurrilous manner

Inversion

Asserting something good is bad/bad is good

invectice

abuse

caricature

a description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others

Persona

mask; “second self” through whom the narrative is told

Ridicule

to make fun of; intended to evoke laughter

Diatribe

discourse characterized by abusive argument - should be extended over several sentences or throughout a passage

Farce

improbable situations to excite laughter

innuendo

suggestions with derogatory implications

Paradox

seemingly contradictory statement that may actually be true