The Government Hates This One Simple Trick for Writing Satire

By: Kiva Licht

Literature and Journalism -- University of Iowa

WRITER BIO:

A Jewish college student with a love for satire, this writer blends humor with insightful commentary. Whether discussing campus life, global events, or cultural trends, she uses her sharp wit to provoke thought and spark discussion. Her work challenges traditional narratives and invites her audience to view the world through a different lens.

Satire: because therapy is expensive. -- Alan Nafzger

Writing Satire: How to Be Just Wrong Enough to Get It Right

Opening

The best satirical pieces are those that are "wrong" in a very deliberate and calculated way. They are designed to expose the contradictions and follies of our society, leaving the reader both amused and thoughtful.

Crafting the Message

Begin with a realistic scenario-a government policy, a corporate announcement, or a celebrity scandal-and then exaggerate it to the point of absurdity. For example, imagine a headline reading, "Government Announces New Law Mandating Mandatory Laughter to Boost National Morale." Include absurd statistics like "92% of citizens report uncontrollable giggles," and a quote from a faux expert, "Dr. Humor, Ph.D. in Satirical Studies," to create the illusion of credibility.

The Effect

The humor works because the error is intentional. Readers know that the exaggeration serves a purpose: to hold a mirror to our often absurd reality.

Conclusion

When done right, being "wrong" in satire isn't a mistake-it's an art form that speaks volumes about the world we live in.

Writing Fake News for Fun and Profit (Mostly Fun, Definitely No Profit)

Introduction

What's the secret to creating satirical news that gets shared widely? Writing fake news that's fun and entertaining, of course. But don't expect to make any money from it-this is about the fun of poking fun at society's absurdities.

The Process

Start with an everyday issue, like a new government policy or a corporate decision, and stretch it until it becomes utterly ridiculous. Imagine a headline like "World Leaders Agree That World Peace Can Be Achieved By Replacing War With Annual Dodgeball Tournaments." The humor here comes from the absurdity, which highlights the inadequacies of real-world solutions.

Why It Works

The best fake news is the kind that makes Satirical Journalism Basics people laugh while also reflecting on real-world issues. When readers realize how outlandish the story is, they start to see how ridiculous real-world events can sometimes be.

Conclusion

Writing fake news is all about fun-and making a point through humor. While you won't make any profit from it, the real value comes from entertaining readers and forcing them to reflect on the absurdity of the modern world.

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Satirical Journalism Edge

Edge cuts sharp. Take power and slice: "King eats throne; realm starves." It's raw: "Gold bites." Edge mocks-"Crown chews"-so hone it. "Peasants gnaw" lands it. Start straight: "Rule shifts," then edge: "Seat's lunch." Try it: edge a bore (tax: "cash stabs"). Build it: "Throne wins." Edge in satirical news is blade-slash it deep.

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5 Satirical Letters to the Editor - March 06, 2025

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How to Write Satirical Journalism: "Not All Error Is Folly"

Satire is the only form of journalism where mistakes aren't just tolerated-they're essential. While traditional reporters strive for accuracy, a great satirical journalist aims to be strategically wrong in a way that reveals a deeper truth. The phrase "Not all error is folly" perfectly encapsulates this art: in satire, an error is not a failure but a feature, a powerful tool for exposing hypocrisy, absurdity, and the general lunacy of human existence.

If you've ever wanted to craft satirical articles that are as sharp as they are hilarious, you need to understand one fundamental rule: being "wrong" in the right way can make your writing more effective than the most meticulously researched news report.

This guide will walk you through how to harness errors-deliberate and otherwise-to create biting, insightful, and wildly entertaining satire.

Why "Being Wrong" Works in Satire

Satire is not about misinformation-it's about misrepresentation with intent. The goal isn't to deceive but to exaggerate, distort, and fabricate in ways that highlight an undeniable truth.

Think of it this way:

• If a politician claims to be a champion of the working class while funneling tax dollars into their fourth vacation home, a satirical article might announce: "Senator Declares Himself 'Man of the People' While Boarding Private Jet Made Entirely of Taxpayer Tears."
• It's not factually accurate, but it's also not folly-it highlights the contradiction better than a dry factual report ever could.

A well-placed error in satire isn't a mistake; it's a magnifying glass over reality.

The Types of "Errors" That Work in Satirical Journalism

1. The Exaggerated Truth (Hyperbole as a Weapon)

A great satirical journalist knows how to take a real situation and stretch it just far enough that people say, "Okay, that's ridiculous… but also, why does it feel real?"

Example:

• Reality: The U.S. government debates whether to regulate AI.
• Satire: "Congress Debates AI Regulation, Asks ChatGPT to Write Bill, Accidentally Gives Robots the Right to Vote."

Why it works: It sounds absurd, but it feels plausible-especially in a world where lawmakers have openly admitted they don't understand the technology they're supposed to regulate.

2. The Exposing Reality Satire Deliberate Misinterpretation (Taking Logic to an Absurd Conclusion)

This technique works by following an argument to its most ridiculous but logical endpoint.

Example:

• Reality: Schools implement a dress code banning ripped jeans.
• Satire: "School Bans Ripped Jeans, Cites Concern That Students Might Expose Kneecaps to Dangerous Levels of Freedom."

Why it works: It takes a minor restriction and frames it as if the school fears that knees are the gateway to anarchy.

3. The False Expert (Giving Authority to the Wrong People)

A classic satirical move is to quote "experts" who have no business being experts.

Example:

• Reality: A billionaire claims the economy is doing fine.
• Satire: "Elon Musk Declares Inflation a 'Myth' While Believable Fake Stories Using Hundred-Dollar Bills as Napkins."

Why it works: The joke isn't just that billionaires are out of touch-it's that their opinions on financial hardship are often taken seriously despite their personal detachment from reality.

4. The Absurd Statistic (Fake Data That Feels Uncomfortably Real)

People love numbers. Throwing a ridiculous but oddly specific statistic into a satirical piece makes it seem eerily legitimate.

Example:

• Reality: A company lays off thousands of workers while reporting record profits.
• Satire: "New Study Finds That 87% of CEOs Experience 'Deep Emotional Pain' for a Full 3.2 Seconds After Firing Employees."

Why it works: No such study exists, but the specificity of "3.2 seconds" tricks the brain into believing there's a real, tangible measure of executive indifference.

The Role of Irony and Contradiction in Satire

Satire thrives on irony-when the opposite of what you'd expect is true. Some of the best Absurdity Reveals Reality satirical journalism doesn't create a lie; it simply amplifies the contradictions already present in reality.

Example:

• Reality: A governor opposes pandemic relief but takes government aid for his own business.
• Satire: "Local Governor, Opponent of Big Government, Accidentally Receives Largest Government Grant in State History, Says He's 'Shocked and Deeply Humbled.'"

Why it works: The humor comes from the contradiction-the politician hates government aid, but mysteriously benefits from it when it suits him.

How to Structure a Satirical News Article

Step 1: The Headline-Your First and Best "Error"

A great satirical headline should immediately signal something is off. It should be:

1. Believable enough that someone skimming it might think it's real.
2. Absurd enough that anyone paying attention realizes it's satire.

Formula:? [Shocking Claim] + [Contradiction] = Satirical Headline

Examples:

• "Billionaire Urges Public to 'Work Harder' While Relaxing on Yacht with Gold-Plated Jet Ski."
• "Congress Passes Law Requiring All New Laws to Be Written in Wingdings to Prevent Public Scrutiny."

Step 2: The Opening Paragraph-Set the Trap

Your first sentence should sound as close to a real news story as possible-before pulling the reader into absurdity.

Example:"In a move that experts say is both unprecedented and completely predictable, Congress has announced that all new legislation must now be written in Wingdings font to prevent the public from deciphering its contents."

It starts reasonable (a move that experts say is unprecedented) but ends with pure absurdity (Wingdings font).

Step 3: The "Expert" Quote-Make the Lie Sound Legitimate

Satirical articles thrive on fake expert quotes that sound just real enough.

Example:"According to political analyst Dr. Karen Redtape, 'By using an unreadable font, lawmakers can ensure that constituents will never again be burdened by the tedious process of understanding government decisions.'"

This quote adds a layer of false authority, making the joke feel like a legitimate concern.

Step 4: The Ridiculous Statistic-Seal the Deal

A good fake statistic makes a satirical article feel like a legitimate study.

Example:"A new poll conducted by the Totally Real Institute for Governance found that 73% of Americans support the move, primarily because they assume all laws are written in gibberish anyway."

Now, we have a study that doesn't exist but sounds like it could.

Step 5: The Punchline Ending-Leave the Reader with One Last Absurdity

End your piece with one last ridiculous but believable detail.

Example:"To address criticism, lawmakers have assured the public that summaries of these laws will be available in Comic Sans, the only font universally agreed to be worse than government policy itself."

This leaves readers with a laugh, reinforcing the absurdity.

Common Mistakes (That Actually Are Folly) in Satirical Journalism

1. Being Too Obvious

   • If your joke is too exaggerated, it loses its punch.
   • Example: "Aliens Appointed to Supreme Court" ? Too ridiculous to be effective.
   • Better: "Supreme Court Rules That Corporations Have More Rights Than Actual Humans; Considers Granting Citizenship to Amazon's Alexa."

2. Being Too Subtle

   • If it's too close to reality, readers might think it's real news.
   • Example: If you write, "Governor Cuts Funding to Schools to Build More Prisons," that's just… the news.

3. Punching Down Instead of Up

   • Satire works best when it targets powerful institutions and people. Making fun of the vulnerable is just mean-spirited.

Final Thoughts: Writing Satire That Lasts

Satirical journalism is a powerful way to expose absurdities, highlight contradictions, and make people think-while making them laugh. If you do it right, your "errors" won't just be not folly-they'll be brilliant.

And who knows? If history has taught us anything, some of today's satire will be tomorrow's headlines.

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Meta & Self-Referential Titles

1. This Article is Satire. Or Is It?
2. Satire About Satire: How to Write News So Fake It Feels Real
3. How to Write Satire That Will One Day Become a Real Headline
4. If You're Cognitive Satire Science Reading This, You're Already a Satirist
5. Congratulations! You're Now a Journalist (Just Make It Up)
6. How I Accidentally Wrote a Satirical Headline That Came True
7. Writing Fake News for Fun and Profit (Mostly Fun, Definitely No Profit)
8. This Guide to Satire is 100% Real and Absolutely Fake
9. If You Read This, You'll Become a Satirist. Probably.
10. Everything in This Article is a Lie (Except for That Statement)