feminist satire essay

Judy Brady's Legendary Feminist Satire, "I Want a Wife"

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One of the best-remembered pieces from the premiere issue of Ms . magazine is “I Want a Wife.” Judy Brady’s (then Judy Syfers) tongue-in-cheek essay explained in one page what all too many men had taken for granted about “housewives.”

What Does a Wife Do?

“I Want a Wife” was a humorous piece that also made a serious point: Women who played the role of “wife” did many helpful things for husbands and usually children without anyone realizing. Even less, it wasn't acknowledged that these “wife’s tasks” could have been done by someone who wasn’t a wife, such as a man.

“I want a wife who will take care of my physical needs. I want a wife who will keep my house clean. A wife who will pick up after my children, a wife who will pick up after me."

The desired wife tasks included:

• Work to support us so I can go back to school
• Take care of the children, including feeding them and nurturing them, keeping them clean, taking care of their clothes, taking care of their schooling and social life
• Keep track of doctor and dentist appointments
• Keep my house clean and pick up after me
• See to it that my personal things are where I can find them when I need them
• Take care of the babysitting arrangements
• Be sensitive to my sexual needs
• But do not demand attention when I am not in the mood
• Do not bother me with complaints about a wife’s duties

The essay fleshed out these duties and listed others. The point, of course, was that housewives were expected to do all these things, but no one ever expected a man to be capable of these tasks. The underlying question of the essay was “Why?”

Striking Satire

At the time, “I Want a Wife” had the humorous effect of surprising the reader because a woman was the one asking for a wife. Decades before gay marriage became a commonly discussed subject, there was only one person who had a wife: a privileged male husband. But, as the essay famously concluded, “who wouldn’t want a wife?”

Judy Brady was inspired to write her famous piece at a feminist consciousness-raising session . She was complaining about the issue when someone said, “Why don’t you write about it?” She went home and did so, completing the essay within a few hours.

Before it was printed in Ms ., “I Want a Wife” was first delivered aloud in San Francisco on Aug 26, 1970. Judy (Syfers) Brady read the piece at a rally celebrating the 50 th anniversary of women’s right to vote in the U.S. , obtained in 1920. The rally packed a huge crowd into Union Square; hecklers stood near the stage as "I Want a Wife" was read.

Lasting Fame

Since “I Want a Wife” appeared in Ms ., the essay has become legendary in feminist circles. In 1990, Ms . reprinted the piece. It is still read and discussed in women’s studies classes and mentioned in blogs and news media. It is often used as an example of satire and humor in the feminist movement .

Judy Brady later became involved in other social justice causes, crediting her time in the feminist movement with being foundational for her later work.

Echoes of the Past: The Supportive Role of Wives

Judy Brady does not mention knowing an essay by Anna Garlin Spencer from much earlier in the 20th century, and may not have known it, but this echo from the so-called first wave of feminism shows that the ideas in "I Want a Wife" were in the minds of other women, too, 

In "The Drama of the Woman Genius" (collected in Woman's Share in Social Culture ), Spencer addresses women's chances for achievement the supportive role that wives had played for many famous men, and how many famous women, including Harriet Beecher Stowe , had the responsibility for childcare and housekeeping as well as writing or other work. Spencer writes, “A successful woman preacher was once asked what special obstacles have you met as a woman in the ministry? Not one, she answered, except the lack of a minister's wife.”

Edited and with additional content by  Jone Johnson Lewis

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More Than A Magazine, A Movement

I (Don’t) Want A Wife

Editor’s Note: This essay is an homage and COVID-era update to to Judy Brady’s classic satirical feminist manifesto, “ I Want a Wife ,” which originated as a speech at a San Francisco protest in 1970.  This essay appeared in the first issue of Ms . in 1971 .

“I Want a Wife” was funny, yes, but it also made a serious point: Women who were “wives” did many considerate things for their families, usually without any recognition. Of course, these wifely tasks could have been done by someone who wasn’t a wife—like a man.

Read Brady’s original essay, “I Want A Wife,” (1971) at the end of Trinkle’s.

I’ve been on the single motherhood scene a while now, not all that fresh from my years ago divorce. I have two teenagers who, of course, are with me most of the time.

So, upon receiving my honorary pandemic home-teaching credential, I decided our first history assignment would be to reflect on Judy Brady’s iconic manifesto “ I Want a Wife ,” first delivered 50 years ago at a San Francisco rally to mark the 50th anniversary of American women’s suffrage.

It occurred to me nothing much has changed. In fact, it’s gotten worse.

So, I don’t want a wife anymore. I just want a goddamn functioning society. Why do I want a functioning society? 

Because if society just operated like us ladies do, I wouldn’t need a wife, nobody would, and we’d all be better off, and here’s why: 

For most of my life, I bought into the trope that women are supposed to do it all and make it seem effortless—so it’s only fair that society finally fulfills its side of the bargain.

After throwing a helluva brunch with endless dietary accommodations and bottomless gluten-free Bloody Marys to honor our mothers’ generation’s hard work, I want a society that finally fixes the decades-long stagnant  61 to 80 cent wage gap .

I want a society where divorce doesn’t  still  result in a 20 percent decrease in standard of living for women and children, while men’s increases by 30 percent —and while mothers still carry the  burden of child rearing . 

I want a society that nurtures our children, that values education and ensures they have a safe social life without the fear of mass shootings or the trauma of  lockdown drills . I want a society that helps them process the existential threat of a pandemic, which causes them to change on a dime how they’ve been indoctrinated to learn their entire lives. I want a society that does not, in the face of said global crisis, expect me to be the default proxy teacher  while my ex-husband focuses on work .

I want a society that will not shame me when my kids don’t brush their teeth, or when they play on their phones during dinner because the  second shift  is still a thing, and I’m now even more tired from taking on a  third-shift  running a virtual high school in between a  fourth-shift as household pandemic expert that specializes in sterilizing all incoming groceries—and burning cardboard boxes on my “off” hours, while teaching myself how to sew masks because my underlying medical-conditioned self hopes to leave the house someday.

I want a society that—should I have a health scare—will provide medical care if I take reasonable time to heal, without burdening my business, losing my job, home, declaring bankruptcy, or dying because I can’t afford treatment despite a lifetime of hard work, leaving my children behind far too soon. I want a society that collectively deals with things beyond our control or imagination, like pandemics or the sixth mass extinction.

When I go into society with friends, I want a world that doesn’t shame me for wanting a social life while also being a mother. I want a society that knows that sometimes I need solitude, or a night out by myself without fear of violence or harassment.

I want a society that supports complete access to birth control—because  it’s proven  that all genders and future generations benefit when we have control over if/when we have families.

When I meet people I want to entertain, I want a society that hasn’t created such unattainable standards that nobody will care if my home doesn’t spark minimalist joy or if I didn’t get hors d’oeuvres even though I knew you were coming, like, over a week ago.

I want a society that knows that you bearing witness to my exhaustion from  getting less sleep than any other generation before  us is a gift. Because we’re just now figuring out that Title IX and Roe v. Wade wasn’t enough to send us on our merry way. 

I want a society where I can  cry in the driveway of my father’s trailer  and not feel I failed him for not keeping him home longer before I held him as he passed at a care facility. And in the aftermath, I want a society that forgives the latchkey generation  children of divorce  for our choices because someday we will have to do this all over again. I want a society that doesn’t make me puke from the guilt I feel for setting my children up to inherit this same fate, despite everything I worked so hard to avoid.

I want a society that just gives women a rest already.

My God—what divorcee, ex-wife or mother  wouldn’t  want a functioning society?

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Judy Brady, “I Want a Wife” (1971)

I belong to that classification of people known as wives. I am A Wife. And, not altogether incidentally, I am a mother. Not too long ago a male friend of mine appeared on the scene fresh from a recent divorce. He had one child, who is, of course, with his ex-wife. He is looking for another wife. As I thought about him while I was ironing one evening, it suddenly occurred to me that I, too, would like to have a wife. Why do I want a wife? I would like to go back to school so that I can become economically independent, support myself, and, if need be, support those dependent upon me. I want a wife who will work and send me to school. And while I am going to school. I want a wife to take care of my children. I want a wife to keep track of the children’s doctor and dentist appointments. And to keep track of mine, too. I want a wife to make sure my children eat properly and are kept clean. I want a wife who will wash the children’s clothes and keep them mended. I want a wife who is a good nurturant attendant to my children, who arranges for their schooling, makes sure that they have an adequate social life with their peers, takes them to the park, the zoo, etc. I want a wife who takes care of the children when they are sick, a wife who arranges to be around when the children need special care, because, of course, I cannot miss classes at school. My wife must arrange to lose time at work and not lose the job. It may mean a small cut in my wife’s income from time to time, but I guess I can tolerate that. Needless to say, my wife will arrange and pay for the care of the children while my wife is working. I want a wife who will take care of my physical needs. I want a wife who will keep my house clean. A wife who will pick up after my children, a wife who will pick up after me. I want a wife who will keep my clothes clean, ironed, mended, replaced when need be, and who will see to it that my personal things are kept in their proper place so that I can find what I need the minute I need it. I want a wife who cooks the meals, a wife who is a good cook. I want a wife who will plan the menus, do the necessary grocery shopping, prepare the meals, serve them pleasantly, and then do the cleaning up while I do my studying. I want a wife who will care for me when I am sick and sympathize with my pain and loss of time from school. I want a wife to go along when our family takes a vacation so that someone can continue to care for me and my children when I need a rest and change of scene. I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints about a wife’s duties. But I want a wife who will listen to me when I feel the need to explain a rather difficult point I have come across in my course of studies. And I want a wife who will type my papers for me when I have written them. I want a wife who will take care of the details of my social life. When my wife and I are invited out by my friends, I want a wife who will take care of the babysitting arrangements. When I meet people at school that I like and want to entertain, I want a wife who will have the house clean, will prepare a special meal, serve it to me and my friends, and not interrupt when I talk about things that interest me and my friends. I want a wife who will have arranged that the children are fed and ready for bed before my guests arrive so that the children do not bother us. I want a wife who takes care of the needs of my guests so that they feel comfortable, who makes sure that they have an ashtray, that they are passed the hors d’oeuvres, that they are offered a second helping of the food, that their wine glasses are replenished when necessary, that their coffee is served to them as they like it. And I want a wife who knows that sometimes I need a night out by myself. I want a wife who is sensitive to my sexual needs, a wife who makes love passionately and eagerly when I feel like it, a wife who makes sure that I am satisfied. And, of course, I want a wife who will not demand sexual attention when I am not in the mood for it. I want a wife who assumes the complete responsibility for birth control, because I do not want more children. I want a wife who will remain sexually faithful to me so that I do not have to clutter up my intellectual life with jealousies. And I want a wife who understands that my sexual needs may entail more than strict adherence to monogamy. I must, after all, be able to relate to people as fully as possible. If, by chance, I find another person more suitable as a wife than the wife I already have, I want the liberty to replace my present wife with another one. Naturally, I will expect a fresh new life; my wife will take the children and be solely responsible for them so that I am left free. When I am through with school and have a job, I want my wife to quit working and remain at home so that my wife can more fully and completely take care of a wife’s duties. My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?

The coronavirus pandemic and the response by federal, state and local authorities is fast-moving .  During this time,  Ms . is keeping a focus on aspects of the crisis—especially as it impacts women and their families—often not reported by mainstream media.   If you found this article helpful,  please consider supporting our independent reporting and truth-telling for as little as $5 per month .

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• British Women Satirists in the Long Eighteenth Century

British Women Satirists in the Long Eighteenth Century

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Book description

This collection of innovative essays by leading scholars on eighteenth-century British women satirists showcases women's contributions to the satiric tradition and challenges the assumption that women were largely targets, rather than practitioners, of satire during the long eighteenth century. The essays examine women's satires across diverse genres, from the fable to the periodical, and attend to women writers' appropriation of a literary style and form often viewed as exclusively masculine. The introduction features a new theory of women's satire and proposes a framework for analyzing satiric techniques employed by women writers. Organized chronologically, the contributors' essays address a wide range of authors and explore the ways in which satiric writings by women engaged in contemporary cultural conversations, influencing assumptions about gender, sociability, politics, and literary practices. This inclusive yet tightly-focused collection formulates an innovative and provocative new feminist theory of satire.

‘This book, thanks to the intellectual rigor of its essays and the generosity of its scholarly apparatus, merits a long and healthy shelf life.'

Katherine G. Charles Source: Eighteenth-Century Fiction

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British Women Satirists in the Long Eighteenth Century pp i-ii

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British Women Satirists in the Long Eighteenth Century - Title page pp iii-iii

Copyright page pp iv-iv, dedication pp v-vi, contents pp vii-viii, illustrations pp ix-ix, notes on contributors pp x-xiv, acknowledgements pp xv-xvi, introduction pp 1-24.

• Recognizing British Women’s Satire in the Long Eighteenth Century
• By Amanda Hiner , Elizabeth Tasker Davis

Part I - Traditions and Breaks pp 25-112

• Early Eighteenth-Century Women Satirists

Chapter 1 - Women Writers and Juvenal pp 27-44

• “Singing plain truths”
• By Paul Baines

Chapter 2 - Unlocking the Dressing Room pp 45-64

• Mary Evelyn’s Mundus Muliebris
• By Melinda Alliker Rabb

Chapter 3 - Aphra Behn and Traditions of Satire pp 65-81

• By Tanya Caldwell

Chapter 4 - Delarivier Manley pp 82-97

• Satire as Conversation
• By Rachel Carnell

Chapter 5 - The Pleasures of Satire in the Fables of Anne Finch pp 98-112

• By Sharon Smith

Part II - Publicity and Print Culture pp 113-188

• Women Satirists during the Mid Eighteenth Century

Chapter 6 - Women’s Satires of the Literary Marketplace in Eighteenth-Century England pp 115-132

• By Catherine Ingrassia

Chapter 7 - Charlotte Lennox, Satirical Poetry, and the Rise of Participatory Democracy pp 133-151

• By Susan Carlile

Chapter 8 - Jane Collier’s Satirical Fable pp 152-171

• Teeth, Claws, and Moral Authority in An Essay on the Art of Ingeniously Tormenting
• By Martha F. Bowden

Chapter 9 - Hiding in Plain Sight pp 172-188

• Frances Burney as Satiric Novelist
• By Marilyn Francus

Part III - Moral Debates and Satiric Dialogue pp 189-261

• Women Satirists and Eighteenth-Century Sociability

Chapter 10 - Anne Finch, Anna Seward, and Women’s Relation to Formal Verse Satire in the Long Eighteenth Century pp 191-206

• By Claudia Thomas Kairoff

Chapter 11 - Satire as Gossip pp 207-225

• Lady Anne Hamilton’s The Epics of the Ton
• By Michael Edson

Chapter 12 - “An invisible Spy” pp 226-243

• Mary Robinson’s Sylphid and the Image of the Satirist
• By Rayna Rosenova

Chapter 13 - Austen’s Menippean Experiments pp 244-261

• Paternalism and Empire in the Juvenilia and Mansfield Park
• By Danielle Spratt

Appendix - Selected List of Eighteenth-Century Women Writers and Their Satiric Works pp 262-283

Selected bibliography and guide to further reading pp 284-290, index pp 291-302, altmetric attention score, full text views.

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The Gothic horror of Alice Munro: A reckoning with the darkness behind a feminist icon

Professor, Gender and Sexuality Studies, University of Calgary

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Rebecca Sullivan is the Principal Investigator for The Legacy of Studio D for Feminist Media Art Activism, which is funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Insight Grant.

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This week, in a devastating story about Alice Munro’s complicity in the sexual abuse of her youngest daughter , we discovered how Munro, a Nobel Prize-winning author acclaimed for her uniquely Gothic interpretation of women’s lives, actually lived her feminism.

In a first-person essay in the Toronto Star , Munro’s daughter Andrea Skinner details the years-long sexual abuse by her stepfather, Gerald Fremlin, beginning when she was nine years old. In an earlier essay , Skinner wrote: “The sexual abuse of a child is a rape of the mind, in which any fledgling tools for healing are stolen.”

Although Skinner told her father, Jim Munro, he inexplicably chose to keep it a secret from his ex-wife. He somehow thought he could protect his daughter from a distance while still permitting her to visit her mother and stepfather. The abuse persisted in multiple ways and Skinner was left alone to cope.

When a 25-year-old Skinner exposed the terrible secret to her mother, Munro decided not only to stay with her husband but also to stand by him even after he pleaded guilty and was convicted of sexual assault in 2005. She also used the power of her fame to help create a positive narrative about her husband as well as prevent the secret from ever reaching her adoring public.

While Fremlin’s actions are readily and easily condemned, Munro’s unwavering support of her husband at the expense of her daughter has sent a deathly chill down the spines of many who have read and loved her work, or simply cherished her iconic status.

Writing about the inner lives of girls and women

The only Canadian to ever receive the Nobel Prize in Literature , Munro is heralded for her unique genre of Canadian — but more precisely — southern Ontario Gothic featuring intriguingly imperfect heroines .

The Gothic is a woman’s genre , replete with psychologically complex women characters and heavily influenced by some of the most recognized women authors of western literature: Ann Radcliffe, Mary Shelley, the Brönte sisters, Daphne Du Maurier, Alice Munro. While it has many definitions, the Gothic often features eroticized girlhoods, spectres of dead mothers, homes haunted by family tragedies and secrets and uncanny personifications of wild landscapes.

During the women’s movement of the 1970s and ‘80s, American literary scholar Ellen Moers revisited this genre through the lens of second-wave feminism. Central to her thesis was that the “ Female Gothic ” depended upon the opposing but conjoined emotions of motherhood. Motherhood, she said, contained both revulsions and delights: the ecstatic power of creating life perpetually at war with the fear of obliterating the self.

Unbearable expectations of motherhood

Motherhood was, of course, a prevailing issue for second-wave feminism : the right to control one’s reproductive capacities, the needs of working mothers, mothering as unpaid labour and, most pressingly, the cultural expectations that motherhood be expressed through devoted, selfless sacrifice.

The maternal became problematically intertwined with feminist consciousness. Philosopher Linda Alcoff explains how cultural and psychoanalytic strands of feminism insisted on the uniqueness of women because of their capacity to be mothers . Other feminists angrily rejected such biological essentialism while acknowledging at least the social conditions of mothering.

Even amid this contemporary era of feminist thought, motherhood remains a problematic factor in both the socioeconomic security and cultural identity of women.

The unbearable burden of idealized motherhood, however, is nothing compared to the ferocity of a mother’s betrayal.

Broken family ties

Married in 1951 at the age of 20, Munro says her first husband’s birthday gift of a typewriter sealed her identity as a wife/mother and writer — “ the twin choices of my life .”

By 26, Munro had given birth to three daughters, one of whom died on the same day she was born. Her youngest, Andrea, came much later, in 1966, a year which Munro also recounts as the beginning of the end of her first marriage. In 1976, Munro married Fremlin, whom she identified as the true love of her life. That same year, Fremlin sexually assaulted her youngest daughter.

When Munro was finally told about the abuse 16 years later, she left her husband. But not to console her daughter. As Skinner tells us, Munro felt humiliated and personally betrayed, and the whole family had to tend to her feelings. Fremlin accused the child of seducing him and convinced Munro to return. A conspiracy of silence ensued. To protect herself, Skinner distanced herself from her family.

The Gatehouse, an agency that supports survivors of childhood sexual abuse, says this type of familial response is tragically common. Skinner and her siblings sought counselling from the organization to help them come to terms with the abuse that happened in their family.

Munro’s rationale for ultimately staying with Fremlin till his death in 2013, and harbouring his secret until she died this May , was a travesty borne out of her twisted interpretation of the feminist politics of motherhood. According to a letter Munro wrote, she saw her daughter as a sexual rival, not a victim.

Munro wrote to Skinner, saying she had been “told too late,” that “she loved him too much” and that “our misogynistic culture was to blame if I expected her to deny her own needs, sacrifice for her children and make up for the failings of men.”

Our monstrous selves

Even after her husband was revealed as an abuser, Munro chose “wife,” not “writer” over mother. And she did so in the name of feminism — a betrayal to all her literary daughters.

Now we are left with the shattered fragments of her legacy, which the family says it wants preserved but not at the expense of Skinner. The Toronto Star article includes in the preface: “They want the world to continue to adore Alice Munro’s work. They also feel compelled to share what it meant to grow up in her shadow and how protecting her legacy came at a devastating cost for her daughter.”

For some, that may mean rereading Munro through the prism of her biography, but I think that’s too easy. It absolves us from acknowledging the enjoyment we have taken in her Gothic tales of mothers and daughters. We are left with a fervent, hopeful belief that if given the same terrible news from our children, we would make other, better choices. But, then, Munro also believed that about herself until it happened.

Part of our collective horrified revulsion of Munro comes from our nightmare version of our worst selves. That is of course part of the pleasure of Gothic fiction — to indulge in depraved imaginary narratives anchored by an obsessive love. Only this is not fiction. To paraphrase Moers, we have been forced to hold our collective maternal anxiety up to the Gothic mirror of reality, and we dread the monstrous other reflected back at us.

• Child abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Sexual assault
• Alice Munro
• second-wave feminism
• Nobel Prize in Literature
• Gothic fiction
• Canadian literature
• southwestern Ontario

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• DOI: 10.1353/tsw.2014.a564232
• Corpus ID: 147243719

Robin Morgan, Jane Alpert, and Feminist Satire

• Elizabeth Hedrick
• Published in Tulsa Studies in Women's… 1 September 2014

50 References

Satire and sentiment, 1660-1830 : stress points in the english augustan tradition, satiric inheritance: rabelais to sterne, risky business: feminism now and then, the sixties papers: documents of a rebellious decade, eighteenth-century satire: essays on text and context from dryden to peter pindar, dear sisters: dispatches from the women's liberation movement, the duel in early modern england: contents, disciplining feminism: from social activism to academic discourse, writing and the rise of finance: capital satires of the early eighteenth century, pope, publishing, and popular interpretations of the 'dunciad variorum.', related papers.

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Dancing in Chains: Feminist Satire in Pride and Prejudice

By Judith Wylie

Judith Wylie is a doctoral candidate in English at Drew University. Her dissertation focuses on Austen's use of comic characters.  Her most recent publication is "Incarnate Crimes: Masculine Gendering and the Double in Jane Eyre " in Victorians Institute Journal , Volume 27, 1999.

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Page Numbers: 62-69

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The Jane Austen Society of North America is dedicated to the enjoyment and appreciation of Jane Austen and her writing. JASNA is a nonprofit organization, staffed by volunteers, whose mission is to foster among the widest number of readers the study, appreciation, and understanding of Jane Austen’s works, her life, and her genius.  We have over 5,000 members of all ages and from diverse walks of life. Although most live in the United States or Canada, we also have members in more than a dozen other countries.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Gender Roles — The Wife of Bath in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales: A Feminist Analysis

The Wife of Bath in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: a Feminist Analysis

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Published: Jun 6, 2024

Words: 647 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

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Introduction, body paragraph 1, body paragraph 2, body paragraph 3.

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Caine, D. J., Caine, R. N., & Maffulli, N. (2006). Incidence and distribution of pediatric sport-related injuries. Clinical journal of sport medicine, 16(2), 109-117.Covassin, T., Moran, R., & Elbin, R. J. (2007). Sex [...]

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BLACK HUMOUR AND SUBVERSIVE SATIRE: FEMINIST STYLISTICS IN THE ESSAY I WANT A WIFE Feminist Stylistics in the Essay I Want a Wife

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Feminist writers use language as an essential part of the struggle for liberation, employing linguistic features to project women’s subordination under patriarchy. A feminist stylistic approach can be used to make our appreciation of language of these writers more subtle and our discussion of stylistics more complete. Judy Syfers’s essay I Want a Wife, reveals the unfair practice of patriarchy . This paper is an attempt to investigate stylistic features in this essay from a discourse analysis perspective and provide a possible interpretation that these features can open to. It finds seven foregrounding textual features that the writer uses to satirize patriarchy while simultaneously producing sardonically humourous effects: 1) use of the pronoun ‘I’ in association with a collective identity in the self-introduction, 2) a shift into a phallologocentric point of view, 3) clausal repetition, 4) words with positive connotations, 5) wordplay, 6) modality, and 7) taboo breaking humour. The operation of these linguistic features constitutes in itself not only a hint of the worldview of the patriarchal structure in which Syfers lived but also an attack on the dominant masculine ideology.

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Any contents which appeared in each articles in the journal were authors personal opinion. It did not relate to Phranakorn Rajabhat University and other instructors in the university. Each authors would take responsibility on their articles. If there are any mistake, the authors will take responsibility themselves

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Inside the Feminist ‘Onion’: The Satirical Bite of ‘Reductress’

The sharply witty ‘Reductress’ site doesn’t just satirize the sexism women face, but also the inadequacies and failings of feminism itself.

Lizzie Crocker

“ We’re Piercing My Baby’s Tongue. Here’s Why. ”

“ Dying Woman Finally Achieves Body Acceptance ”

“ How to Make Your Vagina Look More Like His Man Cave ”

Such were just a few of the headlines on Friday’s homepage of the satirical website Reductress , the ‘Onion’-made-feminist.

Its mocking tone and incisor-sharp humor are signs of radically changed cultural times. As recently as five years ago, most female-oriented content in media came from women’s and fashion magazines, style websites, and hipster mommy-blogs.

Jezebel was one of the only websites that tackled women’s issues from a modern feminist’s perspective. Some mainstream news sites had designated verticals for feminist content, like Slate’s “XX,” but most couched pro-women pieces in their “Lifestyle” or “Sex & Health” sections.

Today, in addition to a scourge of mommy blogs, there’s a staggering amount of feminist content on the web.

From Vogue and Cosmopolitan to People and Refinery29, popular feminism has flooded media with varying levels of complexity. Feminist debates and hashtag activism frequently generate viral content on social media. Female celebrities and pop culture icons are vilified if they don’t align themselves with the movement.

In April 2013, around the time that Beyoncé finally declared herself a “modern-day feminist,” comedy writers Beth Newell and Sarah Pappalardo came up with an idea for a satirical website for women.

Feminism online was already flourishing with so many diverse voices that they assumed a feminist equivalent of ‘The Onion’ already existed.

Two years later, Reductress remains “the one and only fake women’s news magazine,” a stinging satire of the media’s portrayal of women. Pappalardo, 30, and Newell, 29, have grown their team from a two-women, Kickstarter-funded project into a popular satirical website rivaling Clickhole and—yes—The Onion.

Their office, in New York’s Flatiron district, is a crowded room that they share with several other companies.

Newell, Pappalardo, and Reductress’s associate editor Anna Drezen have installed themselves and their laptops at end of a long table, huddled together with a tray of snacks. We meet in a small, sound-proofed conference room on another floor.

The women are dressed casually in jeans, T-shirts, and slip-on shoes. Newell has an 8-month-old baby and recently moved to Westchester, accomplishing her “lifelong dream of owning a washer and dryer.” Pappalardo lives in Brooklyn with her “lovely girlfriend and very intelligent cats.”

Much of the content in women’s magazines and websites recycles the same gimmicky advice and “how to” tips they’ve always solicited ( recently on Refinery29, “How Makeup Got Me Through a Breakup” ).

Reductress spins those relentless self-help tropes into stories like “ How to Give Fellatio Like a French Woman with Low Self-Esteem ,” How to Write From Your Heart So Your Professor Will Fuck You and 6 Superfoods to Help Fight Isis .

When Reductress first launched, most of their content satirized beauty tips and style articles. But in the last two years, popular women’s magazines and websites have tailored their content to the mainstreaming of feminism.

“All of a sudden the magazines that we were parodying are talking about feminism and taking it seriously,” says Pappalardo. “Sometimes they get it wrong, but at least they’re talking about it.”

Reductress has adjusted accordingly, producing more stories that parody what Pappalardo refers to despairingly as “sad attempts” by these magazines and websites “to be relevant in feminism and co-opt the movement, while still propagating the same messages that make us feel inadequate.”

On Reductress, her eye-rolling despair translates to humor in advice columns (“ How to Make a Man-Friendly #YesAllWomen Post .”), confessional personal essays (“ I LIVED IT: I Lost 20 Pounds By Running After People Holding the Door Open ”), and breaking news stories ( Girl Launches New Line Of Distressed Bear Teeth On Etsy ).

The site occasionally aims its satire at feminism itself: “So-called ‘white feminism’ or mainstream feminism, for example,” says Pappalardo, “and the naiveté that comes with not understanding your privilege but still waving the feminist flag.”

Somewhat reluctantly, she cites Patricia Arquette’s controversial Oscars speech this year.

“That’s the kind of well-meaning, but misguided feminism that doesn’t really acknowledge race, class, and gender-intersectionality,” she says. “But the people who dogpiled on her are part of the problem!”

“Misguided” or “non-inclusive” feminism is a common grievance among modern feminists, who are determined to make the movement more representative of minority and underprivileged voices.

Ironically, many of those attacking white, privileged feminists are themselves white, privileged feminists. Some are righteously—remarkably—unaware of this irony, believing themselves to be better feminists because they’re inclusive.

But Pappalardo and Newell are quick to distinguish themselves from this camp.

“With Arquette, the conversation steered more into demonizing her than offering a teaching moment for the mainstream,” says Pappalardo.

Newell clarifies that they make fun of themselves on the website as much as they make fun of Patricia Arquette’s speech and the media’s response to Patricia Arquette’s speech.

Newell sees a wealth of material for satire in “knee-jerk, reactionary feminism” from activists on social media, and in hot takes on female-related news.

She points out that comedians—both male and female—have been heavily scrutinized and frequently pilloried by feminists in the past year for making “offensive” or “sexist” jokes.

“People are so quick to call things out now, and we’re like, ‘Hey, we’re not the enemy!’ A lot of comedians are out there fighting for you,” says Newell, noting that the so-called ‘offensive’ jokes aren’t offensive but simply unfunny.

Indeed, Reductress satirizes the movement’s contradictions: feminists who crucify celebrities who eschew the f-word and then criticize those who adopt the term for misrepresenting it in some way; and feminists who rail against body-negativity in the media but perpetuate it with “skinny-shaming.”

“Body image seems to be the low-hanging fruit of the day,” says Pappalardo. “Everyone’s going for it!”

Newell adds, “Everyone’s always trying to paint the world in black-and-white and good and evil instead of looking at motivations.”

They both attribute this partially to the exhausting pace of media—to the Twitter slot-machine and news alerts clogging your inbox—and pressure for mainstream websites to produce content.

“I think everyone’s first inclination is to be mad and blog about it,” says Pappalardo. “So much of our workday is spent being pissed before we can even make a joke about something. There’s always going to be that in-between period when we’re like, ‘ Fuck , the world is terrible!”

Just when you think the world couldn’t be worse—when your Twitter feed is spinning with updates about states pushing anti-abortion laws and women not having equal pay until 2058 —Reductress pops up in your feed, tempering the gloom and doom with “ Next Level Braids To Earn the Workplace Respect You Deserve .”

Newell and Pappalardo hope to produce more video content in the future, but for the time being the effort isn’t worth the payoff. Instead, they’re focusing on growing the site and writing “Reductress” comedy shows.

Janeane Garofalo recently starred in their “Brotherhood of Women” show at The Bell House performance venue in Brooklyn, which included an “incantation and an oath in the beginning that involved a bunch of stupid lady things,” says Pappalardo.

“Even now it feels like we’re constantly auditioning ourselves for the public,” she adds, “so we’re trying to grow but not lose sight of our original vision and constantly hit that as hard as possible.”

While a majority of their readers live in large cities, their social media fan base is extending into smaller cities and towns.

“Soon we will capture the hearts of all Americans!” vows Pappalardo.

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast  here .

READ THIS LIST

256 Satirical Essay Topics & Satire Essay Examples [2024]

A satire essay is a creative writing assignment where you use irony and humor to criticize people’s vices or follies. It’s especially prevalent in the context of current political and social events. A satirical essay contains facts on a particular topic but presents it in a comical way.

This task may be intimidating. Don’t worry: even the greatest masters of satire didn’t always succeed in their early efforts! Our custom writing experts are here to help you. In this article, you will find:

• helpful info about satirical essays;
• a list of 256 essay topics;
• examples of satirical essays.
• 🔝 Top 10 Satire Essay Topics
• 😆 Satire Essay Definition
• ✍️ Writing Tips
• 😜 Essay Topics
• 💡 Writing Prompts

📚 Satire Essay Examples

🔗 references, 🔝 top 10 satire essay topics .

• The joy of scambaiting.
• Who teaches politicians to lie?
• How to build a cult successfully.
• Reasons why the sky should be green.
• How to fail your exams using Facebook.
• How not to get bored at family dinners.
• Let’s build walls around all countries.
• How to eat a lot without gaining weight.
• Ways to escape visits to the dentist.
• What do soccer and impact factors have in common?

😆 What Is a Satirical Essay?

A satirical essay is a composition written about a particular subject using irony or sarcasm. Usually, the topics are related to politics, society, or money. The primary goal of any satire is to use humor creatively to make fun of foolish human behavior and criticize topical issues. 

You can find examples of satire in numerous books, poems, and movies. If you enjoy dry humor based on exaggerations, you’ll surely have fun writing your satire essay.

✍️ How to Write a Satire Essay

Does the task of writing a satirical essay look daunting? No worries! Check out our expert advice: 

• First off, sit down and relax. Do something inspiring. For example, get in a fight (preferably a literal one.) Satire needs to be written at the boiling point; that’s exactly where the best essay ideas come from.
• Get inspiration from classic satire examples. Scan through the works of famous satirists when looking for ideas. It can be helpful to draw parallels with the situation in the modern world.
• Another great way to get satirical essay ideas is life itself. This is where every masterpiece comes from. Ideas for a satire may pop into your head at any time. Maybe you got into a fight with a lady in the supermarket or argued about clothes with your sibling. Whatever noteworthy event happened to you recently, write it down!
• The best satire paper ideas are those that reflect reality. If your readers can draw parallels with their life, then you’ve succeeded. Completely made-up stories are harder to pull off: you can end up not convincing your readers.
• Think about your audience. Should you choose a formal or casual tone for your satirical piece? If a professor is going to read it, the first option is preferable.
• Set your goals. Good satire only makes your readers laugh but also demonstrates to them your way of thinking. Use your satirical essay to show your attitude towards serious issues.
• Add a personal touch to your satirical writing. Narrate in first-person perspective or make yourself the protagonist. Adding a unique spin and an interesting perspective will help your essay stand out. It’s also good to use hyperboles and metaphors to make your point.

If you’re struggling with picking good satire topics, check out the ideas below.

😜 Satire Essay Topics List

Topics for a satirical essay on social media & technology .

Many of us have a complicated relationship with social media. Despite their convenience, they use a lot of our time as well as storage space. A satirical discussion can sharpen a critical perspective on these topics.

• Like, repost, and get married. It’s difficult to determine someone’s real intentions on the Internet. How does this impact people’s dating behavior?
• How cute animals became the main driving force of Instagram advertising. Emotions play a significant role in marketing. Adorable cats and dogs wield much power in this regard. What do you think is their secret?
• “I will just check a few posts and stories… Whoops, there goes my day.” If that sounds familiar to you, write about it in your satire essay on social media!
• “I’m going to filter this anyway.” However unflattering your photo looks, Instagram’s got your back. Discuss how you can use this power to your advantage.
• Let’s Zoom! Online classes are not everybody’s cup of tea. Will they become the new standard model of learning? Or will they disappear to where they came from?
• Twitter, Instagram, Facebook: can you use all of them without losing your grip on reality?
• The rise of knock-off products: will the Asian competition sweep Apple and others away?
• What if your phone is hacked?
• Providing a constant flow of content as a modern virtue.
• Exchanging gossip as a currency on social media.
• English will become an endangered language thanks to emojis.
• The worst social media virus: “Have you seen this TikTok ?”
• Step-by-step instructions on how to use hashtags to Twitter.
• Tagging in Facebook posts as an invasion of personal space.
• How to ruin your life with the help of only one social media account.
• Equality on the media: why are we discriminating against positive news?
• If you don’t watch my stories back, you don’t love me.
• Is your life as perfect as the one you display on your Instagram?
• Viral challenges are getting overly complicated.
• Caution: fact-checking Tweets may cause severe fires on social media.
• What if you were paid to scroll social media feeds?
• Understanding the cloud: how did my files get all the way up in the sky?
• Warning: downloading these apps may shorten your life.
• Tweets are short for a good reason: an average person’s attention span is getting shorter.
• Dumb ways to die: or, why you should never google how to save your life.
• Imagine the Internet disappears tomorrow.
• Can you make your coffee without a coffee machine?
• What do hackers look like in real life?
• An updated set of rules on how not to embarrass yourself on the Internet .
• Modern life: did you get the newest human update?
• TikTok should be banned in schools.
• FOMO: does it make you have nightmares?
• There is nothing bad about having a date with someone from social media.
• Social media jargon that we will never understand.
• How to unsee all the disgusting stuff you have seen on social media.
• A quick test to find out whether you’re smarter than your smartphone.
• Hiding your flaws on social media for dummies.
• Spotting an authentic lifestyle on Instagram is not that easy.
• Learning how to make a relevant and adequate comment on social media.
• Things from the Internet that could’ve been funny if they weren’t so real.
• Feeling good about your body doesn’t mean you should post nudes.
• How to stay at home forever: Let your parents see your photos from last night’s party on social media.
• How to gain more followers on your Twitter.
• Should we expect an apocalypse if social media shuts down?
• Is social media the best way to make new friends?
• Do your Instagram followers really care what you had for breakfast?
• It’s impossible to avoid Internet addiction.
• Should robots have human rights?
• 10 reasons not to use Google for your exam prep.
• Should robots replace humans?
• Why should everyone have Internet access?
• Technology is not what devastated human communication .
• Why are smartphones more important than desktop PCs?
• 10 reasons for taking online classes only.
• How do modern technologies affect the way we learn?

Satire Essay on School: Topic Ideas

In a satirical essay, you can criticize the social issues that concern you using irony and funny punchlines. You can express your ideas and worries about education with a little bit of humor. It sounds like a dream essay, doesn’t it? Writing about your problems in a satirical way might help you to look at them from a more optimistic perspective!

• What is the point of a school uniform? Even office workers rarely have to follow strict dress code rules. All in all, your brain won’t solve calculus tasks better if you wear a uniform.
• Why is studying online more productive than going to school? You don’t have to go anywhere to become more intelligent. All the existing knowledge is available on the Internet, and most of it is free.
• Teachers enjoy giving a lot of homework to their students. Many students suspect that. Do you think there might be some truth behind it?
• How can you defend yourself from older kids at school? Taking up boxing or karate ? Becoming a bully? Or maybe you just need to be a good runner? Try to think about the most creative and outlandish options.
• Reasons why you should write essays in the last minute. Nothing motivates a student more than an approaching deadline. Try to remember the time you finished your assignment the night before the due date. What was it like?
• What’s wrong with the educational system in America? Find the flaws in your program or describe the problems that your peers face. For example, think about tuition fees in colleges, overcrowding, or lack of attention to students.
• How social media help students in their studies. The educational content on social media can be helpful for your studies. Wouldn’t it be more interesting if your teachers interacted with you via TikTok or YouTube?
• How do you survive your senior year at high school? Applying to college, preparing for SAT or ACT, and keeping up with deadlines seem like a lot of multitasking. Describe all the difficulties students have to face and offer your solutions.
• Do we even need to go to school? At first, think about why you like and dislike school. Why do you think school helped you, and when was it useless? Provide your reasons why you keep going to school and what you aim to achieve.

Topics for a Satire Essay on Obesity

Healthy lifestyles keep gaining popularity. There are plenty of low-fat and vegan options in supermarkets, cafes, and restaurants. However, obesity is still a big problem for people’s health and self-esteem. Satirical topics below will help you look at it from a new perspective; just make sure to be respectful.

• Are overweight people happier than the rest of us? Many fat people keep positive and simply don’t care about the way others see them. They can enjoy their favorite foods and don’t feel the need to work out after that.
• Do overweight people want to lose weight? Some of them surely do. Others are happy the way they are and still face the constant pressure of the people surrounding them. Explain why it’s not necessary to lose weight just to fit the standards.
• How to stop eating at night. Nothing seems like a better idea than grabbing a snack at 2 a.m. The following day you cannot even realize why your brain persuaded you to do it. Explain why this habit can be harmful and what possible solutions can help to get rid of it.
• Crazy solutions for losing weight. You can find thousands of diets and fat-burning workouts on the Internet, but none of them work as well as promised. Find the funniest weight loss tips and describe them in your essay.
• How to persuade children to choose healthy foods. When you force somebody to do something, it doesn’t work well. Maybe we should show kids educational cartoons on nutrition? Or perhaps we need to learn how to cook delicious and healthy foods?
• How do some skinny people eat so much and don’t gain weight? Probably everyone knows a person who eats all the time and is not even close to getting fat. It might be fast metabolism, an active lifestyle, or black magic.
• What should you eat to lose weight? Everybody knows that you need to consume fewer calories than you burn. But people still want to find a perfect diet to reduce body fat. Can you come up with one?
• Signs that you need to lose some weight. Maybe your favorite jeans became too tight, or you can’t walk up the stairs as quickly as you used to. Think of the indicators showing that you’ve gained some extra weight.
• How does smoking affect weight loss? Many people believe that smoking reduces the feeling of hunger and makes you eat less. Ex-smokers also tend to gain weight when they give up smoking. Explore this issue in a satirical essay.

Environment & Global Warming Satire Essay Topics

Environmental issues are a big part of today’s debates. Satire can make your essay more prominent and draw more attention to the issues you discuss. Satirizing the current situation can be a powerful tool in motivating people to go green. If you’re looking for good satirical topics concerning the environment, this is your section.

• Behold: anyone is now able to walk on water. You can do it, too—thanks to giant garbage islands. What other “wonders” has pollution made possible?
• Our dependency on the environment is one-sided. Speculate what would happen if nature strikes back. Who will have the upper hand?
• No one likes to wade through garbage. Yet, many people just throw their trash on the ground. What’s going on in their minds?
• New technology: guilty until proven innocent. Can humans sustain technological progress at the cost of the environment?
• We are ready to cut down the tree if we need a toothpick. Is this acceptable or outrageous? Ponder on it in your essay.
• What if you could stop climate change? Imagine that you can control everything in the world. What would you do to stop global warming? Offer your solutions to climate change having this kind of power.
• Climate change is fake news . With this essay, you can satirize the point of view of climate change deniers. Winter is as cold as it used to be. Maybe global warming is a trick politicians use to deflect our attention from real problems.
• Dirty water vs. polluted air: the irony of rich nations looking down on developing societies.
• Is sustainability in big companies merely a fashionable way to make a profit?
• How can we live comfortably without degrading the environment?
• Natural disasters vs. climate change denial: is there a correlation?
• Can humans live in a symbiotic relationship with nature, as plants do?
• Stop brushing your teeth if you have heard of global warming.
• Why we should stop hating public transport .
• Overpopulated cemeteries: an underrated issue.
• Who cares about the environment when we need more housing?
• I hate recycling , so here is what I do instead of helping the environment.
• Riding horses instead of driving cars can be fun!
• Let’s be honest: do we really need that much ozone?
• The best solution for global warming: using hover boards instead of cars.
• Trashy waste disposal ways: can we do better?
• If you’re convinced “there is plenty of fish in the sea,” think twice.
• Humans sacrifice dozens of species to save one: themselves.
• The latest research shows that people don’t care about the environment.
• Should we consider reusable toilet paper to save our planet?
• Can’t people just plant more trees to save the forests?
• How to reduce pollution without recycling.
• What’s wrong with the zero waste ideology?
• How not making your bed can stop global warming.
• Why should humanity move to Mars ?
• 10 reasons why deforestation makes our planet cleaner.
• Are gasoline cars better than electric ones?

Satirical Essay on Social Issues: Topics & Questions

In this section, you’ll find satirical writing ideas about society, culture, and other related things.

• “I want to speak to the manager!” If you’re dying of shame every time someone says this sentence, welcome to the Karen phenomenon. What can you do to avoid becoming such a person?
• Multinational corporations are masters of disguise. The variety of choices on grocery store shelves is deceiving. Almost all goods there belong to one of few transnational corporations.
• You can achieve anything you set your mind to—unless you’re poor. Think of examples that support this statement, such as education not being accessible for everyone.
• Hungry Google. How can promising tech start-ups prevent being devoured by a giant? The greediness of a big corporation such as Google is a great satirical topic to write about.
• The dark side of the fashion industry. What’s your opinion on beautiful designs made by the hands of Asian children?
• Trends, bans, and censorship: is free speech only for the elite?
• How to keep up with slang as you get older.
• Will Apple’s planned obsolescence ever backfire?
• “I can paint like this”: the appeal of abstract art.
• Spartans knew how to deal with overpopulation.
• Who really deserves the title of the Greatest Generation?
• ”Let’s make it simple!”: the dullness of modern pop culture.
• Is it time to create a new currency in the US?
• What should you answer to a time-traveler from the past asking about the worst event in the 21st century?
• What if pharmaceutical companies merely want to keep us sick?
• 10 reasons why breastfeeding in public should be illegal.
• 7 reasons why women should not get pregnant.
• Why should you avoid getting vaccinated?
• Life hacks on how to get a cold in summer.
• What’s so good about plastic surgery ?
• What adverse effects can sports have on your life?

Other Satirical Essay Topics

Below you’ll find humorous topics related to politics and family life. You’re welcome to use them for your satirical writing assignment.

Satire Topics on Politics

It’s hard to face reality without a bit of humor. With everything that’s happening in the world, politics is perfect joke material. This is especially relevant for Juvenalian satire. To help you limit your choices, here are some prompts:

• Do men in power actually plan to destroy the world one day? Or is hoarding atomic weapons the politicians’ version of collecting stamps?
• “The internet is new territory for all of us.” At least it was, according to the German chancellor Angela Merkel in 2013. Sounds accurate? Unpack this quote in your essay.
• Democracies have one big problem: everyone is allowed to vote. Should democratic governments introduce some kind of an IQ test before authorizing people to participate in voting?
• Is Donald Trump a lizard person? How would this comical theory fit with his politics? Discuss this satire topic in your essay.
• North Korea’s role in the global playing field. Is the country a serious threat or a minor disturbance?
• How much influence do celebrities have in international politics?
• Politicians in Hungary and Poland use excessive anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. What are they afraid of?
• Are rich people and Twitter enthusiasts such as Elon Musk secretly governing the world?
• Manufacturing conspiracy theories for fun and profit.
• Would life in Russia be any different if Putin crowned himself tsar?
• Why would shopping malls make perfect prisons?
• Analyze the dictionary meaning of the word “trump.”
• Romantic relationship between Hillary Clinton and the media.
• Do all presidents just follow their basic primitive instincts?
• If someone believes politicians , they might as well believe in aliens.
• 13 reasons why teenagers should create laws.
• The most effective method to treat your post-election stress.
• Every year’s slogan: Let’s make politics work again!
• A team of professionals working on upgrading Donald Trump’s lies.
• A practical dictionary to help you translate the Trump language.
• How would the deep state save us from the climate catastrophe?
• Winning as the ultimate goal of all elections for political figures.
• Why do presidents always appear to be right?
• Following the success of Germany, we have to unite the US, too!
• If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor to treat your Political Correctness Syndrome immediately!
• Donald Trump’s best solution for wildfires, or “Rake, people, rake!”
• Family planning gone wrong: Alabama’s law on abortion.
• What do Canadians say about America’s struggles with immigrants?
• Making parallels between Humpty Dumpty and the issues with the US wall.
• Why everyone should own a gun.
• Why doesn’t freedom of speech make you free?
• Beware: the new virus of civil disobedience is coming.
• Why do we keep thanking the wrong heroes?
• A white American man: the most terrorized person in the world nowadays.
• Shouldn’t we treat China as America’s best friend?
• Communism is capitalism’s evil twin.
• Why didn’t the government invoke the 25 th amendment during Trump’s presidency?
• How to build hype: tips from the man who told everyone to drink bleach.
• Donald Trump as the next candidate for winning a Nobel Prize in medicine.
• Sending hippie-like peace text messages to the terrorists.

• Why won’t anyone believe what politicians say?
• What makes Donald Trump so unique?
• Trust me, the Great Wall of China will still stand after the alien invasion.
• Let’s see if Captain America would make a good president.
• Can we use ideas from comic books to confront terrorists?
• 10 reasons why you should watch CNN news twice a day before a meal.
• The gun control issue couldn’t be more overrated.
• People are dying: legalize marijuana to save lives!
• A collection of Donald Trump’s best advice.
• 10 reasons why Tony Stark should become the next president of the United States.
• Is Russia America’s top enemy?
• Should the Communist party be the world’s leading social organization ?
• 15 reasons why all countries should liberalize visa regimes.
• How much should countries spend on military expenses?
• Why is political satire important?

Satirical Essay Topics: Marriage and Family

Family life can be a blessing as well as a challenge. Humor is a big help. Looking through this section, you’ll definitely find a relatable satire essay topic. Be sure to have a witty solution for the next time!

• You’re a cat person; your partner loves dogs. And your child begs you to buy a snake. What’s the best way to choose a pet for the whole family? Explore this funny satire topic in your essay!
• “I have a great business idea . ” Have you come to fear hearing these words? Write about how to discourage your loved ones from investing in bad ideas.
• Just married! And the routine already sets in. How can a couple keep the spark?
• Marrying is easy; it is difficult to be married . If this hits close to home, consider it as the topic for your essay.
• Grandma Online. Many people underestimate their grandparents’ abilities to use the Internet. How can said grandparents use this to their advantage?
• What’s the best way to deal with ex-partners after marrying someone else?
• Marrying a Catholic priest: how to handle celibacy.
• “Blood is thicker than water”: when is this statement not valid?
• Love at first sight: truth or myth?
• Cool parents for all Millennials: a practical guidebook.
• Why do people who have failed relationships keep advising others?
• What are your grandpa’s best retirement ideas for young people?
• Paying back: what can you ask your grandparents at the end of the day?
• Family discussions are like puzzles that one has to piece together.
• Why does nobody tell you how overrated a married life is?
• The turning point of my life: before and after marriage.
• What if same-sex marriage becomes legal everywhere?
• Why some men don’t wear engagement rings.
• Why would anyone save for their kids’ college or wedding?
• The secret behind high divorce rates in the US.
• Don’t rush to say “I do,” check these things first.
• Living in communities as a substitute for marriage in the future.
• The reasons why my kids won’t get married in a church .
• If love is blind, why are we still so self-conscious?
• The most misused pickup line of the decade.
• Guidebook of the year: places where you can find love.
• When being yourself on a date doesn’t help, just be weird.
• The real struggle behind “ happily ever after .”
• The most obvious signs you have a nosy partner.
• How can paternity leave save the whole world?
• Top useful tricks on how to win a fight with your partner.
• Things you should do on the first date if you need to escape.
• At what age should teens enter romantic relationships?
• Social media comes to rescue you: why is it the best way to break up?
• Breaking up for introverts: how to do it without words.
• Not awkward, not cute: conversation starters for the first date.
• How to find out what your partner actually thinks about that dress.
• Get ready: questions your partner will definitely ask you at some point.
• How many times do I have to say “I love you” before my partner believes me?
• Family getaway planning on a budget (spoiler: stay home!)
• More money spent on weddings equals a higher chance of divorce.
• Being a housewife and a mom is so much easier than working! Right?
• Make your husband clean after himself: a step-by-step guide.
• Learning to love your parents who tag you in every post on Facebook.
• Who needs a babysitter when you have a tablet and a TV?
• Dressing your toddler: are there only pink and blue clothes?
• Enjoy your time as a kid of a divorced couple; you live in two places!
• The top 10 passive-aggressive comments to make to your “favorite” relative.
• How do you detect a typical mansplaining answer from a woman?
• The middle child : why do people often seem to forget about them?
• The reasons why your mother-in-law is not the greatest evil .
• Create a 100% stress-free family life by divorcing.
• How to make a bathroom your private space in 5 steps.
• Fixing racism issues by promoting interracial marriages.
• Your evolution into everything you hate about your parents.
• Are divorces more expensive than weddings?
• Why all fathers should be taking paternity leave.
• What to do on a date to never be asked out by that person again.
• How to lie to your spouse and get away with it.
• The most effective tricks never to have dishwashing duty.
• How to tell your partner that they’ve gained weight.
• How to please your mom without actually following her advice.
• 10 life hacks to break up with your partner without doing anything.
• Getting a haircut is the best method to deal with a breakup.
• 15 reasons why you should always be late for dates.

If you haven’t found a suitable topic, you can use our topic generator for inspiration.

💡 Prompts for a Satirical Essay: Examples

Need some additional inspiration? The following prompts will instantly provide you with writing ideas.

Satirical Essay on Drugs: Writing Prompt

Illegal drug use is a grave problem in our society. You can draw attention to this issue by writing a satirical proposal. Here are some options:

• Try to imagine what would happen if illegal drugs were free. What adverse “benefits” would this solution have? To drive the point home, use facts and statistics to show how easily addictions form.
• You may use the same approach to write about smoking or alcohol abuse. It’s a great idea to draw inspiration from old advertisements and taglines glamorizing the “benefits” of these addictions.

Feminist Satire Essay: Writing Prompt

Describing female oppression ironically as something positive allows you to demonstrate the absurdity of sexism. Think about the following:

• Many antifeminists see equal rights as a threat to patriarchy. For your essay, think about the examples of traditional misogynistic values, such as reducing women’s roles to housework. Then, present them in an ironic way to show how absurd they are.
• Another point worth satirizing is the idea that women are tired of equal rights. Do they want to go back to doing simple tasks in the kitchen and being banned from having a fulfilling job?
• Finally, you may want to explore if feminism hurts men. Is it true, or do some men just miss being in the spotlight?

Satirical Essay on Drinking and Driving: Writing Prompt

Drunk driving is among the primary reasons for road accidents in the US. It’s also an interesting topic to explore in a satirical essay. You can research ways of reducing impaired driving and turn them upside down:

• What if we start encouraging drunk driving by making alcohol more accessible? Think what would happen if the government lowers alcohol prices or makes it legal to drink everywhere.
• You may also want to ponder the consequences of lowering the legal drinking age. What would happen if kids start thinking that drunk driving is acceptable or even cool?
• You can go even further and ironically suggest making sober driving illegal.

Satirical Essay on Texting: Writing Prompt

Texting is fun—but it also comes with plenty of downsides. Below are some points you can satirize in your essay:

• One of the major drawbacks of texting is the lack of nuance compared to real-life communication. But what if it was actually an advantage? Try to describe the “benefits” of not being able to convey irony via texting.
• You may take a more serious stance and write a satirical essay on texting and driving. Why should texting be more important than watching the road? Show why this activity is pointless and highly dangerous.

Now let’s have a look at an essay example before you start writing. You can use this sample as inspiration or help you set a tone for a satire essay. Feel free to download the PDF file below:

Sometimes I dread graduating from high school just because I won’t have to wear a uniform anymore. It’s so wonderful to me because everything else I wear is either “too short” or “too bright.” In my opinion, school uniform relieves pressure and reduces unnecessary creativity and freedom of choice.

Satire Essay Examples from World Literature

If you are used to serious writing, it’s time to give it a break. Satire essays are all about fun. Some people even consider it to be one of the most entertaining types of essays.

Not only does satire show us reality as it is: it also entertains us. Let’s look at some satire writing examples from literary masters.

• The Cop and the Anthem by O. Henry The irony is already noticeable from the very beginning of O. Henry’s short story. Whatever main character Soapy intends to do, it results in the opposite. O. Henry perfectly plays around with Soapy’s sophisticated language use: it shows that despite being homeless, the character tries to appear as if he is of high status.
• Advice to Youth by M. Twain This satirical essay by Mark Twain aims to give a piece of advice to younger readers. They would expect it to be thoughtful as it comes from a respectable author. Instead of passing down his ideas about morality and values, Twain teaches youth how to act nicely. Long story short, it’s a convenient guide on how to pretend to be well-behaved. Twain’s use of sarcastic humor flips the theme of morality upside down.
• At the Funeral by M. Twain After reading this masterpiece, most adults and parents probably wouldn’t find Mark Twain so respectable anymore. In this essay, he mocks a set of social norms related to funerals. You can see how the writer plays around with this seemingly depressing topic. However, this satirical piece comes out to be quite entertaining. The reader can’t even sense the depressing mood surrounding the funeral processions. Twain also avoids using any terms related to it. He underlines that there is no value in such a custom anymore. All in all, he conveys his ideas very naturally and humorously.
• When I Was a Witch by Charlotte Perkins Gilman This short story created by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is considered one of the best satirical writing examples. It’s a story about a woman who discovers that all her wishes come true. She starts wishing for her surroundings and society at large to change. Though her wishes might seem strange, they are related to Gilman’s real-life circumstances. Ironically, only her wishes that are caused by negative emotions come true.
• A Modest Proposal by J. Swift This satirical essay by an English writer Jonathan Swift is about Ireland’s social and political problems. At the time, there was a famine in the country. Unfortunately, the government didn’t seem to find a solution to that issue. Swift decided to make a suggestion. He proposes to breed humans like cattle, resolving overpopulation and hunger at the same time. Such a horrible suggestion is nothing but an impossible idea with a hint of sarcasm. The main point of this essay is to make fun of the Irish government’s incapability to deal with social issues.

These texts will surely inspire you to write an outstanding essay.

We wish you good luck and hope this article was helpful! Don’t hesitate to share it with your friends.

Further reading:

• 435 Literary Analysis Essay Topics and Prompts [Upd]
• 460 Excellent Political Topics to Write about in 2024
• 420 Funny Speech Topics (Informative & Persuasive) + Presentation Ideas
• Funny Persuasive Speech Topics: Best Ideas for 2024
• 150 Best Environmental Essay Topics & Questions

✏️ Satirical Essay FAQ

In the modern world, there are way too many serious issues. Sensational media portrayal doesn’t make dealing with them easier. Satire helps to digest some ideas more effectively. Essays and articles often use satirical writing.

If you already have a topic, analyze the issue. You should come up with a good list of ideas first. Then, choose the most relevant points. Describe these in a satirical style. Add an introduction and a conclusion.

Students often have tasks with exact topics for their satire essays. If you need to develop an idea yourself, think about a topical issue you’ve heard about recently. Your subject might be related to your community or society as a whole.

First, read some examples of how other authors start their essays. This might vary from a quote or an anecdote to a rhetorical question. Sometimes the best way is to create an outline for the essay before writing an introduction.

• Essay Structure: Elizabeth Abrams, for the Writing Center at Harvard University
• What Is Satire? How to Use Satire in Literature, Pop Culture, and Politics: MasterClass
• Choosing a Topic: Purdue Writing Lab
• Satire Essays: Bartleby
• Origin of the Roman Satire Genre: NS. Gill, ThoughtCo
• Juvenalian Satire: Encyclopedia Britannica
• The Power of Political Satire: The New Yorker
• Political Satire: Huff Post
• Political Issues of 2024: I Side With
• Political Issues Students Care About in 2020: Best Colleges
• These Satirical Nat Geo Headlines Aren’t Too Far Off: National Geographic
• Laughing in the Face of Climate Change? Satire as a Device for Engaging Audiences in Public Debate: University of Colorado Boulder
• Technology Addiction: How Should It Be Treated?: Medical News Today
• Concerns Regarding Concerns Regarding Social Media and Health Issues in Adolescents and Young Adults: ACOG.org
• Social/Family Issues: Medline Plus
• Trump’s Biggest Accomplishments and Failures from His 1-Term Presidency: Business Insider
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The Art and Essence of Satire: Understanding its Power and Purpose

This essay is about the nature and significance of satire as a literary genre. It explains how satire uses humor irony and exaggeration to critique societal flaws human behaviors and institutions. The essay traces the history of satire from ancient Greece and Rome to modern times highlighting key examples like Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” and George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” It also discusses the techniques satirists use such as irony and hyperbole to expose hypocrisy and provoke thought. Despite its challenges satire remains a powerful tool for social critique encouraging reflection and inspiring change.

How it works

Satire a literary genre that wields humor and wit as its primary weapons has been a powerful tool for social critique and commentary for centuries. Its unique ability to expose the follies and vices of individuals institutions and societies sets it apart from other forms of writing. But what exactly is satire and why does it remain so effective and relevant in contemporary discourse?

At its core satire is a mirror held up to society reflecting its absurdities and shortcomings in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Unlike direct criticism or serious argumentation satire employs irony sarcasm and exaggeration to highlight the contradictions and flaws in human behavior and societal norms. This approach allows writers and artists to address controversial or sensitive topics with a certain degree of detachment and humor making their critiques more palatable and engaging for audiences.

The roots of satire can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome where playwrights like Aristophanes and poets like Juvenal used their works to mock political leaders societal norms and cultural practices. These early satirists laid the groundwork for a tradition that would evolve over the centuries influencing countless writers and thinkers. From Jonathan Swift’s biting critiques of 18th-century British society in “Gulliver’s Travels” to George Orwell’s dystopian satire “Animal Farm” the genre has continually adapted to address the changing concerns and complexities of the world.

One of the key elements that makes satire so compelling is its use of irony. By saying one thing and meaning another satirists can expose the hypocrisy and absurdity of their targets in a way that straightforward criticism often cannot. For example in Swift’s famous essay “A Modest Proposal” he suggests that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling their children as food to the rich. This outrageous proposition is of course not meant to be taken literally; rather it serves to highlight the inhumane attitudes and policies of the British government towards the Irish people. The shock value of the suggestion forces readers to confront the underlying issues in a new and unsettling light.

Exaggeration and hyperbole are also central to the satirical method. By magnifying the flaws and vices of their subjects to ludicrous proportions satirists can effectively showcase the ridiculousness of certain behaviors and attitudes. This technique is evident in the work of modern satirists like Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart whose exaggerated personas and over-the-top commentary on political events and public figures reveal the often absurd nature of contemporary politics and media.

Another important aspect of satire is its ability to provoke thought and inspire change. While it is often humorous and entertaining satire is ultimately a form of social critique that aims to challenge the status quo and encourage reflection. By presenting familiar issues in an unfamiliar and often exaggerated context satirists can prompt audiences to reconsider their assumptions and question the legitimacy of established norms and practices. This transformative potential is what gives satire its enduring power and relevance.

Despite its long history and widespread use satire is not without its challenges and controversies. Because it relies heavily on irony and exaggeration it can sometimes be misunderstood or misinterpreted by audiences. Additionally the use of humor to address serious issues can be seen as trivializing or disrespectful leading to debates about the appropriateness and ethical implications of satirical works. However these challenges also underscore the importance of satire in fostering critical thinking and open dialogue about complex and contentious topics.

In conclusion satire is a multifaceted and dynamic genre that continues to play a crucial role in literary and cultural discourse. Its unique blend of humor irony and exaggeration allows it to effectively critique and comment on the absurdities and injustices of the world. By holding a mirror up to society satire not only entertains but also enlightens challenging us to reflect on our behaviors beliefs and institutions. As long as there are human follies and societal flaws to be addressed satire will remain a vital and powerful form of expression.

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Mastering the art of writing a hilariously smart and witty satirical essay – tips, tricks, and techniques.

Embarking on a literary adventure that blends cunning humor and razor-sharp wit, satirical essays offer a refreshing escape from the mundane. With their clever wordplay and sly social commentary, these essays dance on the fine line between fiction and reality, challenging readers to question the absurdities of everyday life. Join us as we traverse the labyrinthine alleys of satire and explore the art of crafting thought-provoking and laughter-inducing prose.

Armed with irony as their weapon of choice, satirical essays take aim at conventional norms and societal absurdities, armed with sharp-witted prose that slices through hypocrisy. Through exaggerated storytelling, biting sarcasm, and unexpected twists, satirists challenge established powers and traditions, urging readers to question authority and seek truth beyond superficial appearances. Prepare to navigate a literary landscape that blurs the boundaries between humor and criticism, coaxing even the most skeptical of minds to ROFL (Roll On the Floor Laughing) and ponder upon societal follies.

Beyond their comedic allure, satirical essays often possess an undercurrent of social critique, with writers using laughter as a Trojan horse to smuggle insightful observations past our defenses. Like a master puppeteer, satirical writers manipulate language, satire their weapon to reveal the hidden fault lines of society’s facade. They unmask hypocrisy, expose contradictions, and coax readers into adopting fresh perspectives. So, sharpen your wit and tighten your belts, for we are about to embark on a satirical rollercoaster that will challenge your preconceptions and ignite the flames of satire within your very soul.

Understanding Satire

Satire is a literary tool that employs humor and irony to criticize and mock various aspects of society. It offers a unique perspective on societal issues by using wit, sarcasm, and exaggeration to expose the flaws and absurdities of human behavior, institutions, and beliefs.

Satire is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a form of social commentary. It challenges commonly accepted ideas and norms, presenting them in a way that highlights their inconsistencies and hypocrisies. Satire can be found in various forms of entertainment, including literature, film, television, and even political cartoons.

• Wit: Satire often relies on clever, quick-witted wordplay and puns to make its point. It uses language to create humorous and thought-provoking observations about society.
• Sarcasm: Satire frequently employs sarcasm to criticize and mock certain individuals, groups, or behaviors. It uses ironic statements to highlight the hypocrisy or foolishness of its targets.
• Exaggeration: Satire often relies on exaggeration to emphasize the flaws and absurdities it wishes to expose. By taking things to an extreme, it can effectively highlight the irrationality and illogicality of certain beliefs or actions.
• Social Commentary: Satire serves as a form of social commentary, providing a critical lens through which societal issues can be examined. It challenges the status quo and prompts readers to question the systems and practices they may otherwise take for granted.

Understanding satire requires a keen sense of humor and an appreciation for irony. It offers a fresh and often entertaining perspective on societal issues, encouraging readers to think critically and question the world around them. By employing various literary devices and techniques, satire challenges readers to examine their own beliefs and assumptions, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of the complexities of human nature and society.

Defining Satire and Its Purpose

Satire is a unique form of literature that uses humor and sarcasm to critique and mock various aspects of society. It serves as a powerful tool for social commentary and provides a platform for writers to express their opinions on serious issues in an entertaining and thought-provoking way.

At its core, satire aims to expose the flaws, vices, and absurdities present in society and human behavior. It utilizes irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to challenge the status quo and prompt readers to question and reflect upon their own beliefs and actions. Its purpose is not only to entertain but also to provoke critical thinking and promote change.

Satire often targets individuals or institutions in positions of power or authority, highlighting their hypocrisy, corruption, or incompetence. It can also focus on societal norms, cultural practices, or prevailing ideologies, revealing their contradictions or shortcomings. By shining a light on these shortcomings, satire encourages readers to consider alternative perspectives and rethink traditional norms.

Furthermore, satire can act as a form of social catharsis by providing a collective outlet for frustration and dissatisfaction. It allows individuals to laugh at the absurdities of life and find solace in the shared recognition of societal absurdities. Through humor, satire can foster a sense of unity and solidarity among readers, encouraging them to question and challenge societal norms together.

In conclusion, satire is a powerful literary tool that uses humor and ridicule to expose and critique societal flaws. Its purpose goes beyond entertainment and aims to provoke critical thinking, promote change, and foster a collective sense of shared recognition and catharsis. Through satire, writers have the ability to challenge the status quo and inspire readers to question and reflect upon their own beliefs and actions.

Understanding Various Forms of Satire

Satire is a powerful form of communication that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to critique and ridicule society, individuals, or institutions. By employing various techniques, satirical writing aims to shed light on social or political issues and provoke thought in the reader.

There are numerous forms of satire, each with its own distinctive characteristics and purposes. One common form is verbal irony , where the intended meaning is different from the literal words used. This type of satire often relies on sarcasm and witty remarks to make its point.

Another form of satire is parody , which imitates the style, tone, or content of another work or genre. Parodies often use exaggeration and humor to expose the flaws or absurdities in the original subject matter. This form of satire is frequently seen in literature, music, and film.

Burlesque satire, on the other hand, is characterized by its mocking and disrespectful tone. It uses crude humor and vulgarity to ridicule societal norms or conventions. Burlesque satire often challenges the audience’s sensibilities and provokes discomfort while highlighting hypocrisy or moral corruption.

Another form of satire is juxtaposition , which involves placing two contrasting ideas or situations side by side to highlight their absurdity. Juxtaposition can be a powerful tool for satirists to convey their message by creating a stark contrast that exposes contradictions or hypocrisy in society.

Satirical caricature is yet another form that uses exaggerated or distorted elements to portray individuals or groups in a comically absurd way. By emphasizing certain features or traits, satirical caricature aims to expose the subject’s flaws or criticize their behavior or beliefs.

These are just a few examples of the various forms of satire that exist. Each form has its own unique characteristics and appeals to different audiences. By understanding these different forms, writers can effectively employ satire to entertain, challenge, and inspire readers.

Tips for Crafting a Witty Piece of Satire

Imbuing your writing with satire in a way that effectively pokes fun at societal norms or human follies is an art form few can master. To help you craft a humorous and thought-provoking essay, we have compiled some essential tips that will guide you through the satirical writing process.

1. Choose your target judiciously: Select a topic or subject that you wish to satirize, something that reflects the absurd or flawed aspects of society or human behavior.

2. Employ irony and sarcasm: Utilize these potent literary devices to mock or ridicule your chosen target. Make clever and witty observations by employing subtle irony or sharp sarcasm.

3. Embrace exaggeration: Exaggeration is key to successful satire. Amplify certain characteristics or traits to the point of absurdity to highlight their foolishness or impracticality.

4. Create engaging characters: Develop fictional or real-life characters that embody the flaws or qualities you wish to satirize. By doing so, you can effectively convey your intended message in an engaging and relatable manner.

5. Use humor wisely: Utilize humor to engage your readers and make your points more memorable. Employ wit, wordplay, and puns to make your satirical essay entertaining and thought-provoking.

6. Keep it relevant: Ensure your satire remains relevant and relatable to your audience. Address current events or cultural phenomena that are familiar to your readers, as this will enhance the impact of your essay.

7. Employ clever word choice: Select your words carefully, utilizing language that is witty and incisive. Play with puns, double entendre, and metaphors to add layers of meaning and depth to your writing.

8. Consider the tone: The tone of your satirical essay plays a significant role in how effectively your message is conveyed. Strike a balance between amusement and criticism, ensuring your tone does not become overly critical or offensive.

9. Revise and refine: After completing your initial draft, take the time to review and revise your work. Polish your language, refine your humor, and ensure the structure and flow of your essay effectively deliver your satirical message.

By following these tips, you will be well-equipped to embark on the adventure of satirical writing. Remember, satirical essays should prompt laughter and reflection, making your readers both smile and ponder the issues you subtly illuminate.

Choose a Relevant Topic

When embarking on the task of crafting a satirical essay, it is essential to carefully select a relevant topic that encompasses an aspect of society or human behavior one wishes to satirize. In order to effectively convey your satirical message, it is important to choose a topic that is familiar to your audience and holds some degree of cultural significance.

Consider current events, social issues, or trends that have gained widespread attention and provoke strong emotions or opinions. Look for topics that have inherent absurdity, hypocrisy, or irony that can be easily exaggerated and ridiculed in your essay.

Some potential areas to explore include politics, popular culture, technology, education, or any other aspect of modern life that may be ripe for satirical commentary. Keep in mind that your goal is not to offend or attack individuals, but to use humor and sarcasm to critique larger societal issues or institutions.

Furthermore, it is important to choose a topic that you have a deep understanding of, as this will allow you to effectively convey your satirical message and engage your readers. Conduct thorough research and gather relevant information and examples that will support your satirical argument.

In essence, choosing a relevant topic for your satirical essay is the first step towards creating a successful and impactful piece of writing. By selecting a subject that resonates with your audience and has ample material to satirize, you will be able to craft a compelling essay that entertains and challenges societal norms.

• Choose a topic that is familiar to your audience
• Select a subject with cultural significance
• Look for inherent absurdity, hypocrisy, or irony
• Avoid offending individuals and focus on critiquing larger societal issues
• Ensure a deep understanding of the chosen topic
• Support your argument with thorough research and examples

Develop a Strong Thesis Statement

In order to craft a successful and impactful satirical essay, it is crucial to develop a strong thesis statement. Your thesis statement encapsulates the main idea or argument of your essay and provides a clear direction for your writing. A well-crafted thesis statement not only guides your essay, but also elicits thought and provokes a reaction from your readers.

When developing your thesis statement, it is important to choose a topic that lends itself well to satire. Satire is a form of creative writing that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize or ridicule societal issues or human vices. Your thesis statement should reflect the satirical nature of your essay and make a bold statement about the topic you are addressing.

One strategy for developing a strong thesis statement is to identify a specific aspect or element of your chosen topic to focus on. By honing in on a particular aspect, you can highlight the absurdity, hypocrisy, or flaws inherent in the subject matter. This specificity adds depth and nuance to your essay, making your satirical critique more powerful.

Another important consideration when developing your thesis statement is to consider your audience. Who do you hope to target or engage with your essay? Your thesis statement should take into account the perspectives, values, and beliefs of your intended audience. By tailoring your thesis statement to resonate with your audience, you increase the likelihood of capturing their attention and sparking their interest.

Remember, a strong thesis statement is just the beginning of a well-crafted satirical essay. It sets the stage for your writing and provides a clear roadmap for your argument. Take the time to develop a thesis statement that is engaging, provocative, and thought-provoking, and you will be well on your way to writing a successful satirical essay.

Use Humor and Irony

Injecting humor and irony into your satirical essay is crucial for effectively conveying your message. It allows you to highlight the absurdity and contradictions of a particular topic or situation in a way that not only amuses readers but also prompts them to critically think about the issue at hand.

Witty remarks, clever wordplay, and sarcastic undertones can be your weapons of choice in bringing out the comedic elements of your essay. By using humor, you can grab your readers’ attention and keep them engaged throughout your writing. Furthermore, irony adds a layer of depth to your satire, allowing you to subtly critique societal norms, political ideologies, or human behavior.

Remember that effective satire uses humor and irony as tools, not as mere jokes or insults. The goal is to make a point and provoke thoughtful reflection, not just to entertain. So, weave your humor and irony with skill and precision, selecting your words carefully to achieve the desired effect.

Be aware that using humor and irony requires a delicate balance. While you want to evoke laughter and amusement, you must also be mindful of the potential for misunderstanding or offense. Satire should challenge the status quo and promote critical thinking, but not at the expense of respect and empathy.

Ultimately, by infusing your satirical essay with humor and irony, you can craft a piece that both entertains and enlightens. So, embrace your comedic side and let the laughter and irony guide your writing!

Employ Satirical Devices

In order to effectively convey your satirical message in your essay, it is crucial to employ various satirical devices. These devices serve as the tools that will help you create a humorous and mocking tone, and effectively critique the subject matter you are satirizing.

• Irony: One of the most common satirical devices, irony involves saying or writing the opposite of what you actually mean. By using irony, you can highlight the absurdity or hypocrisy of a situation or individual.
• Sarcasm: This device relies on sharp and mocking remarks to ridicule or criticize a subject. Sarcasm can add a comedic element to your essay and make your satirical points more impactful.
• Hyperbole: Hyperbole involves extreme exaggeration to emphasize a point or create a humorous effect. By using hyperbole, you can emphasize the flaws or ridiculous aspects of the subject you are satirizing.
• Parody: A parody is a satirical imitation of a specific work, genre, or style. By mimicking and exaggerating the characteristics of the original, you can highlight its flaws, make fun of it, or deliver your message in a more humorous way.
• Understatement: Understatement involves depicting a situation or a subject as less significant or serious than it actually is. By using understatement, you can ironically downplay the importance of something or make it seem ridiculous.
• Wordplay: Wordplay involves using puns, double entendres, or other linguistic devices to create humorous or satirical effects. By playing with words and their meanings, you can add a layer of wit and cleverness to your essay.

By consciously employing these satirical devices in your essay, you can effectively mock and criticize the subject matter while entertaining and engaging your readers. However, it is important to use these devices sparingly and thoughtfully, ensuring that they enhance your satirical message rather than overshadowing it.

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Anatomy of an AI Essay

How might you distinguish one from a human-composed counterpart? After analyzing dozens, Elizabeth Steere lists some key predictable features.

By  Elizabeth Steere

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Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, educators have been grappling with the problem of how to recognize and address AI-generated writing. The host of AI-detection tools that have emerged over the past year vary greatly in their capabilities and reliability. For example, mere months after OpenAI launched its own AI detector, the company shut it down due to its low accuracy rate.

Understandably, students have expressed concerns over the possibility of their work receiving false positives as AI-generated content. Some institutions have disabled Turnitin’s AI-detection feature due to concerns over potential false allegations of AI plagiarism that may disproportionately affect English-language learners . At the same time, tools that rephrase AI writing—such as text spinners, text inflators or text “humanizers”—can effectively disguise AI-generated text from detection. There are even tools that mimic human typing to conceal AI use in a document’s metadata.

While the capabilities of large language models such as ChatGPT are impressive, they are also limited, as they strongly adhere to specific formulas and phrasing . Turnitin’s website explains that its AI-detection tool relies on the fact that “GPT-3 and ChatGPT tend to generate the next word in a sequence of words in a consistent and highly probable fashion.” I am not a computer programmer or statistician, but I have noticed certain attributes in text that point to the probable involvement of AI, and in February, I collected and quantified some of those characteristics in hopes to better recognize AI essays and to share those characteristics with students and other faculty members.

I asked ChatGPT 3.5 and the generative AI tool included in the free version of Grammarly each to generate more than 50 analytical essays on early American literature, using texts and prompts from classes I have taught over the past decade. I took note of the characteristics of AI essays that differentiated them from what I have come to expect from their human-composed counterparts. Here are some of the key features I noticed.

AI essays tend to get straight to the point. Human-written work often gradually leads up to its topic, offering personal anecdotes, definitions or rhetorical questions before getting to the topic at hand.

AI-generated essays are often list-like. They may feature numbered body paragraphs or multiple headings and subheadings.

The paragraphs of AI-generated essays also often begin with formulaic transitional phrases. As an example, here are the first words of each paragraph in one essay that ChatGPT produced:

• “In contrast”
• “Furthermore”
• “On the other hand”
• “In conclusion.”

Notably, AI-generated essays were far more likely than human-written essays to begin paragraphs with “Furthermore,” “Moreover” and “Overall.”

AI-generated work is often banal. It does not break new ground or demonstrate originality; its assertions sound familiar.

AI-generated text tends to remain in the third person. That’s the case even when asked a reader response–style question. For example, when I asked ChatGPT what it personally found intriguing, meaningful or resonant about one of Edgar Allan Poe’s poems, it produced six paragraphs, but the pronoun “I” was included only once. The rest of the text described the poem’s atmosphere, themes and use of language in dispassionate prose. Grammarly prefaced its answer with “I’m sorry, but I cannot have preferences as I am an AI-powered assistant and do not have emotions or personal opinions,” followed by similarly clinical observations about the text.

AI-produced text tends to discuss “readers” being “challenged” to “confront” ideologies or being “invited” to “reflect” on key topics. In contrast, I have found that human-written text tends to focus on hypothetically what “the reader” might “see,” “feel” or “learn.”

AI-generated essays are often confidently wrong. Human writing is more prone to hedging, using phrases like “I think,” “I feel,” “this might mean …” or “this could be a symbol of …” and so on.

AI-generated essays are often repetitive. An essay that ChatGPT produced on the setting of Rebecca Harding Davis’s short story “Life in the Iron Mills” contained the following assertions among its five brief paragraphs: “The setting serves as a powerful symbol,” “the industrial town itself serves as a central aspect of the setting,” “the roar of furnaces serve as a constant reminder of the relentless pace of industrial production,” “the setting serves as a catalyst for the characters’ struggles and aspirations,” “the setting serves as a microcosm of the larger societal issues of the time,” and “the setting … serves as a powerful symbol of the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.”

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AI writing is often hyperbolic or overreaching. The quotes above describe a “powerful symbol,” for example. AI essays frequently describe even the most mundane topics as “groundbreaking,” “vital,” “esteemed,” “invaluable,” “indelible,” “essential,” “poignant” or “profound.”

AI-produced texts frequently use metaphors, sometimes awkwardly. ChatGPT produced several essays that compared writing to “weaving” a “rich” or “intricate tapestry” or “painting” a “vivid picture.”

AI-generated essays tend to overexplain. They often use appositives to define people or terms, as in “Margaret Fuller, a pioneering feminist and transcendentalist thinker, explored themes such as individualism, self-reliance and the search for meaning in her writings …”

AI-generated academic writing often employs certain verbs. They include “delve,” “shed light,” “highlight,” “illuminate,” “underscore,” “showcase,” “embody,” “transcend,” “navigate,” “foster,” “grapple,” “strive,” “intertwine,” “espouse” and “endeavor.”

AI-generated essays tend to end with a sweeping broad-scale statement. They talk about “the human condition,” “American society,” “the search for meaning” or “the resilience of the human spirit.” Texts are often described as a “testament to” variations on these concepts.

AI-generated writing often invents sources. ChatGPT can compose a “research paper” using MLA-style in-text parenthetical citations and Works Cited entries that look correct and convincing, but the supposed sources are often nonexistent. In my experiment, ChatGPT referenced a purported article titled “Poe, ‘The Fall of the House of Usher,’ and the Gothic’s Creation of the Unconscious,” which it claimed was published in PMLA , vol. 96, no. 5, 1981, pp. 900–908. The author cited was an actual Poe scholar, but this particular article does not appear on his CV, and while volume 96, number 5 of PMLA did appear in 1981, the pages cited in that issue of PMLA actually span two articles: one on Frankenstein and one on lyric poetry.

AI-generated essays include hallucinations. Ted Chiang’s article on this phenomenon offers a useful explanation for why large language models such as ChatGPT generate fabricated facts and incorrect assertions. My AI-generated essays included references to nonexistent events, characters and quotes. For example, ChatGPT attributed the dubious quote “Half invoked, half spontaneous, full of ill-concealed enthusiasms, her wild heart lay out there” to a lesser-known short story by Herman Melville, yet nothing resembling that quote appears in the actual text. More hallucinations were evident when AI was generating text about less canonical or more recently published literary texts.

This is not an exhaustive list, and I know that AI-generated text in other formats or relating to other fields probably features different patterns and tendencies . I also used only very basic prompts and did not delineate many specific parameters for the output beyond the topic and the format of an essay.

It is also important to remember that the attributes I’ve described are not exclusive to AI-generated texts. In fact, I noticed that the phrase “It is important to … [note/understand/consider]” was a frequent sentence starter in AI-generated work, but, as evidenced in the previous sentence, humans use these constructions, too. After all, large language models train on human-generated text.

And none of these characteristics alone definitively point to a text having been created by AI. Unless a text begins with the phrase “As an AI language model,” it can be difficult to say whether it was entirely or partially generated by AI. Thus, if the nature of a student submission suggests AI involvement, my first course of action is always to reach out to the student themselves for more information. I try to bear in mind that this is a new technology for both students and instructors, and we are all still working to adapt accordingly.

Students may have received mixed messages on what degree or type of AI use is considered acceptable. Since AI is also now integrated into tools their institutions or instructors have encouraged them to use—such as Grammarly , Microsoft Word or Google Docs —the boundaries of how they should use technology to augment human writing may be especially unclear. Students may turn to AI because they lack confidence in their own writing abilities. Ultimately, however, I hope that by discussing the limits and the predictability of AI-generated prose, we can encourage them to embrace and celebrate their unique writerly voices.

Elizabeth Steere is a lecturer in English at the University of North Georgia.

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See Demi Moore Turn Into Margaret Qualley in ‘The Substance’ Teaser

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Kinky Friedman, 79, Dies; Musician and Humorist Slew Sacred Cows

He and his band, the Texas Jewboys, won acclaim for their satirical takes on American culture. He later wrote detective novels and ran for governor of Texas.

By Clay Risen

Kinky Friedman, a singer, songwriter, humorist and sometime politician who with his band, the Texas Jewboys, developed an ardent following among alt-country music fans with songs like “ They Ain’t Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore ” — and whose biting cultural commentary earned him comparisons with Will Rogers and Mark Twain — died on Thursday at his ranch near Austin, Texas. He was 79.

The writer Larry Sloman, a close friend, said the cause was complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Mr. Friedman occupied a singular spot on the fringes of American popular culture, alongside acts like Jello Biafra, the Dead Milkmen and Mojo Nixon . He leered back at the mainstream with songs that blended vaudeville, outlaw country and hokum, a bawdy style of novelty music typified by tracks like “ Asshole From El Paso ” and “ We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to You .”

With a thick mustache, sideburns, a Honduran cigar and a broad-brimmed cowboy hat, he played his own version of Texas-inflected country music, poking provocative fun at Jewish culture, American politics and a wide range of sacred cows, including feminism — the National Organization for Women once gave him a “Male Chauvinist Pig Award.”

Behind the jokes, he had serious musical talent. He sang with a clear, deep voice, modulated with a gentle twang, and played guitar in a spare, straightforward style borrowed from one of his idols, Ernest Tubb.

He toured widely in the 1970s, with his band and solo, including on the second leg of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue in 1976. He performed on “Saturday Night Live” and at the Grand Ole Opry — Mr. Friedman claimed to be the first Jewish musician to do so (though in fact others, including the fiddler Gene Lowinger, had beat him to it).

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