Satire: Definition and MethodsOnline version When analyzing a text for the author’s use of satire, the following methods can be used to create a satiric tone: by Jennfer Fowler 1 Exaggeration (Hyperbole) 2 Distortion 3 Reversal 4 Understatement 5 Parody 6 Innuendo 7 Invective 8 Parable/Allegory 9 List 10 Oxymoron 11 Satire To enlarge, to increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous Exaggeration (Hyperbole) To highlight by twisting or emphasizing some aspect of a condition, individual, or event so that it is absurd in relation to its surroundings Distortion To present the opposite of the normal order (e.g., the order of events, hierarchical order) Reversal To show the true extent of folly or vice that is so great that further exaggeration is impossible Understatement To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing Parody To implicate a target by a completely indirect attack, especially when the target is dangerous Innuendo To criticize someone or something fluently and at length; this speech may also be called a diatribe or rant Invective To conduct a prolonged discussion on two levels of meaning while at the same time inherently comparing and contrasting those levels without further comment Parable/Allegory To include something highly important or even sacred in a long list of mundane or ordinary objects in order to highlight the fact that an individual, institution, or society has lost its sense of proportion List To pointedly emphasize some contradiction in the philosophy of the targeted issue Oxymoron The use of mockery, irony, humor, and/or wit to attack or ridicule something such as a person, habit, idea, institution, society, or custom that is considered to be foolish, flawed, or wrong Satire
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