Satire Literary Terms

Defines and gives examples of literary terms related to satire.

1. What the heck is Satire?
Mr. Brightman
&
Mr. Bray
& help from the Pre-AP Guide

2. Satire: a definition
NOUN:
•1. A literary work in which human vice or folly
is attacked through irony, derision, or wit.
•2. Branch of literature constituting such
works.
•3. Irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to
attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity.

3. Irony -- Verbal
•Verbal Irony occurs when a speaker or
narrator says one thing while meaning
the opposite.
•Example: It is easy to stop smoking. I’ve
done it many times.

4. Irony -- Situational
•Situational irony occurs when a
situation turns out differently from what
one would normally expect -- often the
twist is oddly appropriate.
•Example: A deep sea diver drowning in
a bathtub is ironic.

5. Irony -- Dramatic
•Dramatic Irony occurs when a character or
speaker says or does something that has
different meanings from what he or she thinks
it means, though the audience and other
characters understand the full implications of
the speech or action.
•Example: Oedipus curses the murderer of
Laius, not realizing that he is himself the
murderer and so is cursing himself.

6. Pun
•A pun is a play on words that are
identical or similar in sound but have
sharply diverse meanings. Puns can
have serious as well as humorous uses.
•Example: When Mercutio is bleeding to
death in Romeo and Juliet, he says to
his friends, “Ask for me tomorrow, and
you shall find me a grave man.”

7. Oxymoron
•Oxymoron is a form of paradox that
combines a pair of opposite terms into a
single unusual expression.
•Examples: “sweet sorrow” or “cold fire.”

8. Sarcasm
•Sarcasm is the use of verbal irony in
which a person appears to be praising
something but is actually insulting it.
•Example: “As I fell down the stairs
headfirst, I heard her say, ‘Look at that
coordination.’”

9. Hyperbole
•Hyperbole is a deliberate, extravagant,
and often outrageous exaggeration. It
may be used for either serious or comic
effect.
•Example: “The shot heard ‘round the
world.”

10. Juxtaposition
•Juxtaposition is comparing two items
side by side. It can be used to point out
the ridiculousness of one of the items.
•Example: Look back at your Candide
quiz number one for an example this in
question number 4.

11. Read long and prosper.

12. Satirical Comic Book
•You will make a Comic Book which
satirizes something. You choose the
topic -- but make fun of it!
•In your Comic Book, you will include
examples of juxtaposition, hyperbole,
pun, sarcasm, and irony.