• Satire, a rhetorical strategy used in writing to criticize something the writer is against. Satire is used in many different writings such as music, poetry, thought papers, etc. Writers, usually humorists, which is a writer who acts or speaks in an interesting way, like to write with a satirical tone which is a clever way to criticize without having to fear about libel and slander. Satire comes in many different shapes and forms.

    Humorists usually use satire to criticize something about the society they live in. They mock what they are criticizing using four different types of satire. Humorists, or any other writers can use, irony, sarcasm, parody or exaggeration. There are three types of irony: situational, verbal and dramatic irony. Humorists use verbal irony by saying the complete opposite of what they think about what they are criticizing about. An example is the titanic. The titanic was sunk by a glacier but humorists can say that the titanic was unsinkable. That would be verbal irony. Situational irony is used when a writer talks about a situation such as a homeless hotel manager. Dramatic irony would be irony where the audience knows more than what the main character knows such as Romeo and Juliet.

    Parody is used by imitating something such as a character and acting foolish. This criticism is very popular among music writers. Sarcasm is used to make a stab at something the writer is criticizing. An example would be like saying something is very nice when it is absolutely not. Exaggeration is used to emphasize a criticism. The writer writes a tall tale in hopes of being able to change what they do not like. Humorists use these types of satire to change what they don’t like in society. Humorists play an important role is the society criticizing flaws very cleverly and when used with other rhetorical devices and styles will create a powerful essay.