How to Make People Laugh While Also Depressing Them Deeply
By: Ilanit Scharf
Literature and Journalism -- Sewanee
WRITER BIO:
A Jewish college student with a sharp sense of humor, this satirical writer takes aim at everything from pop culture to politics. Using wit and critical insight, her work encourages readers to think while making them laugh. With a deep love for journalism, she creates thought-provoking content that challenges conventions and invites reflection on today’s issues.
Satire is like a mirror—we hold it up to society, and society immediately starts fixing its hair.
-- Alan Nafzger
The Science of Satire: Why Being Wrong Feels So Right
Overview
In the realm of satirical journalism, precision isn't measured by facts but by the effectiveness of the exaggeration. Satire relies on the idea that "not all error is folly"-that intentional missteps can shine a light on reality's absurdity.
Technique and Strategy
A satirical piece often begins with a kernel of truth-say, the observation that many CEOs avoid paying taxes. The writer then stretches this idea until it seems absurdly plausible: imagine a CEO congratulating himself on a tax bill of $0. Using fake statistics, like "95% of CEOs celebrate with champagne showers after tax day," creates a scenario so ludicrous that it both entertains and provokes thought. Expert quotes (or rather, pseudo-expert ones) add an extra layer of authenticity to the humorous narrative.
Why It Works
The power of this style lies in its ability to mimic real news, causing readers to pause and wonder, "Could that really be true?" Even when it isn't, the close resemblance to reality forces us to question accepted norms.
Final Thoughts
By embracing error as a creative tool, satirical journalism not only entertains but also challenges our perceptions of truth.
Writing Satire for Change: Using Humor to Make a Point
Introduction
Satirical journalism isn't just about being funny-it's about using humor to shed light on societal issues and inspire change. By exaggerating real-world problems, satire forces us to examine the status quo and take action.
The Technique
Start with a pressing issue, like income inequality or environmental destruction. A headline such as "Billionaires Announce New Fund to Buy up All the Fooling Friends Tactics World's Oceans and 'Fix' Them" takes the ridiculousness of wealth disparity and turns it into a critique of corporate greed.
Why It Works
Satirical news is powerful because it makes serious problems feel more urgent. Humor engages readers, while the absurdity forces them to confront uncomfortable truths. It's a clever way to highlight how out of touch society's solutions often are.
Conclusion
Satire can be a powerful tool for change. By using humor to exaggerate reality, it opens up a conversation about the need for reform and provides readers with a new perspective on pressing issues.
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Absurdity in Satirical Journalism
Absurdity turns news into a funhouse mirror. Take a simple story-say, a new park opening-and make it bonkers: "City unveils park where gravity's optional." The goal? Twist reality until it's unrecognizable yet hilarious. Absurdity thrives on the unexpected: "Dogs hired as park rangers, demand biscuits." It's not random-it's a warped reflection of truth, like bureaucratic nonsense or public quirks. Keep it vivid-"Squirrels sue for tree rights"-so readers picture the chaos. The tone stays serious; absurdity flops if you giggle mid-sentence. Start with a straight lead, then veer off: "Mayor promises green space; residents float away." It mocks without preaching. Try it: grab a local story and add a wild "what if." Absurdity isn't just funny-it's a sly poke at life's illogical corners. Push the edge, and watch readers cackle.
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1. The Scientific Approach: The Nobel Prize for Error
Scientists at the prestigious Institute for Applied Satire have confirmed that not all mistakes are created equal. While most errors lead to unpaid parking tickets and regrettable text messages, some serve a higher purpose-like proving that you should never let a billionaire launch themselves into space without a return plan.
"Throughout history, mistakes have driven progress," said Dr. Harold Bungler, who famously miscalculated his mortgage rate and accidentally bought two houses. "Penicillin was discovered by mistake, and so was the McRib. One saved lives, the other… well, people seem to like it."
Satirical journalism operates on this very principle. When The Onion reported in 2015 that North Korea had landed a man on the sun, it wasn't just a joke-it was a reflection of the absurdity of state propaganda. In other words, the mistake was the point.
2. The Legal Perspective: The Case for Strategic Inaccuracy
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has upheld that "Not all error is folly"-but only when it serves the comedic greater good.
"Satire enjoys the unique privilege of being wrong on purpose," stated Justice Clarence Redherring. "In contrast, Congress is wrong by accident. There is a difference."
Legal scholars point to landmark satirical cases, such as The Borowitz Report vs. Readers Expecting Real News, where a New Yorker satire piece about Congress being replaced by kindergarteners was initially believed by half the country. The argument? The fake news was so close to reality that it was functionally correct.
3. The Self-Help Version: How to Fail Your Way to Satirical Success
Tired of making mistakes? Don't be! The key to success in satirical journalism-and life-is failing strategically.
Step 1: Make the Mistake Look IntentionalIf your article says President Biden accidentally signed a bill making Taco Tuesday a federal holiday, you could issue a correction… or you could argue it was satirical wishful thinking.
Step 2: Misquote an Expert for Dramatic EffectWhen questioned, always say your source is "a leading authority." If pressed for names, throw out "Harvard researchers"-no one ever follows up.
Step 3: Never Let the Truth Get in the Way of a Good PunchlineReal-life example: The Babylon Bee once reported that California was banning gasoline-powered lawnmowers because they were "too masculine." It was satire-but it also felt true enough to make people question reality. That's the sweet spot.
4. The Clickbait Version: You Won't Believe What This Journalist Got Wrong (On Purpose!)
We all make mistakes. But what if I told you that some of those mistakes could make you richer, funnier, and more beloved on the internet?
- Albert Einstein? Once flunked an exam.
- Oprah? Fired from her first job.
- The guy who invented Hot Pockets? Definitely not aiming for greatness.
Satirical journalists have turned this into an art form. The next time you see an article claiming that Congress is officially rebranding as a reality show, remember: the "error" is what makes it brilliant.
5. The Political Commentary: Mistakes vs. Spin
Satire operates on intentional mistakes. Politicians operate on unintentional ones. The key difference? Satirists admit when they're wrong.
When The Onion once joked that "Congress Opens New Fast-Food Lobby With a McDonald's in Senate Chamber", it was obviously satire. But when an actual Congressman suggested that wind turbines cause cancer, we had to pause and ask: wait, is this real?
"Satirical errors force people to think critically," says Dr. Linda Factcheck, an expert in modern misinformation. "Political errors… not so much."
6. The Historical Approach: The Great Mistakes That Changed the World
Did you know that Columbus wasn't trying to discover America? He was lost. That's right-one of the biggest historical events was just a glorified wrong turn.
Satire works the same way. When Jonathan Swift wrote A Modest Proposal, suggesting that the Irish eat their children to solve poverty, it was an intentional mistake in logic. The satire was so good that some people actually thought he was serious.
That's the power of error: it makes you stop and think.
7. The Tech Industry Take: Satire as a Glitch in the Matrix
In Silicon Valley, "move fast and break things" is a business model. In satirical journalism, "write fast and break expectations" is the strategy.
Take ChatGPT-yes, even AI gets things wrong sometimes. But when a satirical article claims that a new app lets billionaires pay to Writing Fake News control regular people like video game avatars, is that really an error… or just an early product leak?
Tech and satire share one thing in common: sometimes, a wild claim today is just reality waiting to happen.
8. The Social Media Rant: Why Mistakes Make You Smarter (Or At Least More Entertaining)
If you've ever sent a text to the wrong person or confidently said "good afternoon" at 9 a.m., congratulations-you've experienced the beauty of the productive mistake.
Satirical journalism operates in the same realm. Fake news is dangerous when it tries to deceive. But satirical news? That's where the fun begins.
A great satirical mistake forces the audience to think: "Wait… is this real?" If they have to Google it, the joke worked.
9. The Economics Version: Why Satirical Errors Are an Investment in Truth
A mistake is Self-Referential Satire a liability-unless you turn it into profit.
- Newspapers issue corrections.
- Satirists issue better versions of reality.
When The Onion reported that billionaires were hoarding the moon's resources for themselves, it wasn't true-yet. But as space tourism ramps up, satire starts looking more like early market analysis.
10. The Sports Analogy: The Michael Jordan of Satirical Errors
Michael Jordan once said, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career… and that's why I succeed."
Satirical journalists miss on purpose, because missing the point is the whole point.
When a satirical outlet claims that FIFA is considering holographic referees to prevent bribery, it's not true-but it feels true enough that you start to wonder.
And that's why error in satire isn't failure. It's the assist.
Each version takes the core idea-"Not all error is folly"-and explores it through different lenses, using satire, humor, and cultural commentary. Which one's your favorite?
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How to Write Satirical Journalism: "Not All Error Is Folly"
If you've ever read a satirical news article and thought, "Wait… is this real?" then congratulations-you've experienced the magic of well-placed error.
Satire thrives on a unique kind of wrongness: a calculated, strategic error that reveals truth better than accuracy ever could. The phrase "Not all error is folly" perfectly captures the essence of great satirical journalism. A factual error in traditional reporting? Catastrophic. A factual Satirical Headline Tricks error in satire? That's the whole point.
A well-crafted satirical article doesn't just entertain-it exposes absurdity, challenges authority, and forces people to question reality itself. The trick? Knowing how to be "wrong" in a way that makes people think.
If you're ready to write satire that makes readers laugh and wonder if civilization is doomed, you've come to the right place.
Why Being Wrong is the Best Way to Be Right
Traditional journalists spend their careers trying not to make mistakes. Satirical journalists spend theirs making mistakes on purpose. Why? Because exaggeration, distortion, and outright fabrications-when done correctly-can highlight truths in a way cold, hard facts never could.
Think of it this way:
- Regular news: "Congress passes controversial bill after months of debate."
- Satire: "Congress Spends Months Debating Bill, Finally Passes It Without Reading a Single Word."
One of these is more truthful than the other. Ironically, it's not the factual one.
Satire works because it mirrors reality-but bends it just enough to expose its underlying absurdity.
The Different Ways to Be "Wrong" in Satire
1. The Deliberate Exaggeration (Making the Absurd Seem Normal)
A common trick in satire is to take a real issue and push it to the absolute extreme-so extreme, in fact, that it sounds both ridiculous and disturbingly plausible.
Example:
- Reality: Billionaires avoid taxes.
- Satire: "Billionaire Pays $3 in Taxes, Demands Refund."
Why it works: The statement is obviously exaggerated, but it feels real enough that readers will laugh and get angry.
2. The Fake Expert (Inventing Authority Figures Who Shouldn't Exist)
Giving a ridiculous opinion to an "expert" is one of the best ways to make satire feel authentic.
Example:
- Reality: A CEO claims inflation is caused by workers demanding raises.
- Satire: "Economist Who's Never Had a Job Declares Minimum Wage is 'Too High for People Who Don't Deserve Nice Things.'"
Why it works: The satire exposes real-world hypocrisy while disguising it as a "reasonable" expert opinion.
3. The Overly Specific Statistic (Numbers That Feel Official but Are Completely Fake)
People trust numbers. So if you throw a fake one into your satire, it suddenly feels 10x more legitimate.
Example:
- Reality: Politicians lie a lot.
- Satire: "Study Finds 93% of Politicians Are Physically Incapable of Answering a Yes-or-No Question."
Why it works: It plays off something we all suspect, while making it sound like an actual study exists.
4. The Logical Leap (Taking a Bad Argument to Its Cognitive Satire Science Natural Conclusion)
One of the best ways to highlight flawed logic is to extend it to its most absurd end.
Example:
- Reality: Lawmakers oppose environmental regulations.
- Satire: "Congress Declares Pollution 'God's Problem,' Votes to Let Nature Figure It Out."
Why it works: It exposes the ridiculousness of a real-world stance by making it explicit.
How to Structure a Satirical News Article
Step 1: Write a Headline That Sounds Both Real and Ridiculous
A perfect satirical headline should:
- Be almost believable.
- Contain a contradiction or absurdity.
- Make people stop and think.
Examples:
- "Tech CEO Announces Plan to End Poverty by Teaching Poor People to Code for Free-While Charging Them for the Lessons."
- "Congress Passes Bill to Protect Workers' Rights, Immediately Calls Itself Into Recess to Avoid Doing Any Work."
Step 2: The Opening Sentence Should Trick the Reader (Briefly)
Start with a sentence that sounds like real news-before throwing in the twist.
Example:"In a move that experts describe as 'bold' and 'deeply concerning,' Congress has approved a new law that officially reclassifies billionaires as an endangered species, granting them full federal protection against taxes and public criticism."
It feels like a news story-until the absurdity kicks in.
Step 3: Use Fake Expert Quotes to Strengthen the Absurdity
A well-placed quote from a "credible" source makes satire feel even sharper.
Example:"According to Dr. Chad Weathers, a leading economist who once took an online finance course, 'If billionaires pay taxes, they might go extinct, and then who will launch themselves into space for fun?'"
Fake credentials + a ridiculous opinion = satire gold.
Step 4: Add a Fake Statistic That's Just Real Enough
A precise number makes a joke land harder.
Example:"A recent survey found that 82% of Americans believe Congress spends more time inventing new holidays for itself than solving actual problems. The other 18% are members of Congress."
The structure makes the joke undeniable.
Step 5: End with an Even Bigger Absurdity
Leave the reader with one last ridiculous twist.
Example:"In response to the criticism, Congress has promised to fix the issue by forming a bipartisan committee-set to meet sometime in the next 30 years."
How to Avoid Bad Satire (Mistakes That Are Folly)
Being Too Obvious
- Bad: "Politician Lies Again."
- Better: "Politician Swears He 'Would Never Lie,' Immediately Collapses Into a Pile of Dust Like a Vampire in the Sun."
Being Too Subtle
- If your joke is too close to reality, it won't read as satire.
- Bad: "Senator Accepts Corporate Bribe." (Just sounds like news.)
- Better: "Senator Confused Why Bribe Check Came With 'Donation' Written in Quotation Marks."
Punching Down Instead of Up
- Good satire targets powerful people and institutions, not struggling individuals.
Final Thoughts: Why Satirical "Errors" Matter
Satirical journalism is about crafting intentional errors that highlight