Satirical Terms

Exaggeration

To present something as better or worse than it is by enlarging faults to ridiculousness.

Burlesque

An absurd or comically exaggerated imitation, especially in literature or drama.

Caricature

An exaggeration or distortion, usually comical, of specific physical aspects of a subject.

Epigram

A short and concise witty statement.

Incongruity

Presenting things that are out of place or absurd in relation to their surroundings.

Invective

Writing that attacks, insults, or denounces a person, topic, or institution, often using abusive language.

Irony

Expressing meaning by using ideas that typically describe the opposite of what is being expressed; can be verbal, dramatic, or situational.

Parody

An imitation of a particular artist, work, or genre, usually exaggerated for humor.

Pun

A joke based on a play on words where words that sound similar but have different meanings are swapped.

Reductio ad absurdum

Arguing something by showing the absurdity of the other side.

Reduction

Belittling a satirical target using caricature to appear ridiculous or silly.

Reversal

Presenting the opposite of the normal order, often focusing on events or hierarchies.