<p> Understanding Satire</p><p>1. Irony: The ability to recognize irony, one of the chief elements in satire, is a sure test of intelligence and sophistication. Those who read only for literal meaning are apt to misinterpret an ironic tone. A writer’s ironic tone may seem unemotional and detached from the material, whereas he/she is more than likely disguising deeper feelings, or real outrage and moral indignation.</p><p>Among the devices writers use to achieve irony are: Hyperbole: exaggeration for emphasis or humorous effect Understatement: a statement that says less than is actually or literally true Sarcasm: a critical, contemptuous statement expressed as verbal irony Incongruity: the result of combining inappropriate or unfitting elements</p><p>In addition to “ironic,” some tone words that characterize satire are: facetious, mocking, flippant, indignant, vehement, and bitter. </p><p>2. Verisimilitude: This is the appearance or semblance of truth in literature, achieved when details, however far-fetched, give the appearance of truth and sweep the reader, for the moment at least, into an acceptance of them.</p><p>3. Structure: The organization of a satire may be carefully structured to build to a point or create suspense. It may also mimic the original in a type of satire called parody. In other words, the satirist, like all good writers, organizes in way that helps make his/her point.</p><p>4. Style: Diction: Satirists may choose words that are deliberately shocking to the reader. They may also mimic or parody the work or person being satirized.</p><p>5. Theme: The primary target of satire is a problem the writer wants the audience to recognize and/or change. The issue may be social, political, or cultural. </p><p>Matthews 2011 – 2012 [Ann Rudkin] Page 1</p>