AP Lang Terms Related to Satire

parody

A literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule

Satire

A literary work or genre in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit

burlesque

A. a literary or dramatic work that ridicules a subject either by presenting a solemn subject in an undignified style or an inconsequential subject in a dignified style B. A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty: the antics of the defense attorneys turned the trial into a ______________ of justice C. A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease.

Caricature

A. a representation, especially pictorial or or literary, in which the subject's distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect B. The art of creating such representations C. A grotesque imitation or misrepresentation

Substitution

These are not metaphors or similes- these are parallels that lead to insight. They are reasonable comparisons that might lead to fully developed satires for each situation.

dystopianism

a criticism of certain aspects of society through comparison of certain aspects of society through comparison to an inferior society that adopts some of these aspects

utopianism

a criticism of the status quo through comparison with a superior kind of society that highlights the weakness of one's own

hyperbole

a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect, to represent as greater than is actually the case; overstate: exaggerate; to enlarge or increase to an abnormal degree

folly

a lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight or an act or instance of foolishness

allegory

a symbolic story in which people, places, events, and objects have additional meaning or figurative meaning

vice

an evil, degrading, or immoral practice or habit; serious moral failing; wicked or evil conduct or habits; corruption

target

an object of criticism or attack

Understatement

any expression that minimizes the importance of something, opposite of hyperbole

liotes

ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary (eg:you wont be sorry, meaning you'll be glad)

wit

mental sharpness and inventiveness; keen intelligence; a natural aptitude for using words and ideas in a quick and inventive way to create humor

lampoon

publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm

absurd

ridiculously incongruous or unreasonable

reversal

the satirist uses/describes the opposite of what he actually wants to happen in order to make a point, a form of irony

Juxtaposition

to place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast

ridicule

to subject (someone or something) to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior

irony

use of language and expectations that are inappropriate or wildly opposite from the expected