How to Write Satire About Current Events

Video Transcript

"Hi, this is Laura Turner, and today we're going to talk about how to write satire about current events. Satire is generally a genre that makes fun of and makes serious of dangerous fun of things. So, satire is not going to be something that is going to be a nice comedy. You can actually take it into the realm of dark comedy. And of course, first what you want to do is you want to decide what current event you're going to be making fun of, and, of course then, why. Why are you holding this current event up to scrutiny. What is so stupid about this event that makes is worthy of ridicule. Because satire is also something that is ridiculing. Next, think about changing the names of those people involved. Are you going to make it very obvious that you're going to be writing about, you know, example, Bill Clinton, are you going to make it really obvious, are you going to make it, this is Bill Clinton, and Hilary Clinton, or are you going to change their names, you know, to Bob and Jenny, and, but make it very obvious that you're writing about Bill and Hilary. Next, exaggerate the details of the event. In what is funny or dramatic about that event, and what needs to be pointed out, because in satire, and all other kinds or comedy, the funny parts really come where everything is blown out of proportion. We don't want to see something that is realistic. In other words, in your satire. Finally, illustrate if there are two sides, illustrate both sides of this current event and both sides of the argument. And really leave no side unscathed. For example, if you want to write about the current election, and you want to write a satire about both about the political candidates, but you really want to write about McCain, you should also put Obama in there, and satire him as well so that you can have something for everybody who is watching this satire. And there's just some tips for writing satire about current events."