Learning Module 8 - Satire - NOVINS

SATIRE
SATIRICAL LITERATURE &
POLITICAL CARTOONS
RDG 101
Dr. Novins
Module 8

Satire: Definitions
 “Satire is like a mirror in which [a man] sees
everyone’s face but [his] own.”
~Jonathan Swift
 Satire is a literary genre that uses irony, wit
and sometimes sarcasm, to expose
humanity’s foibles giving impetus to changes
through ridicule. The author of a satire
reduces the vaulted worth of something to its
real- decidedly lower- worth.

Characteristics of Satire
• SATIRE IS NOT COMEDY, which just seeks to entertain
or amuse. Satire, while implicitly humorous, has a moral
purpose.
1. Moral lesson
2. Funny
3. Shared community standard of
correct behavior (which begets the
humor!)
**The goal of satire is not just to abuse, but rather, to
provoke change or reform.

Two Examples of Satire:
One technique used in
satire is that of
disputation which can
be effective in making
any logical argument
appear ridiculous, when
it may not be, by
stretching it to an
extreme which goes far
beyond the body or
intent orscope of the
argument.
Example 1:
A. In America, citizens have the right to
bear arms.
B. Oh, so it's OK with you for hundreds of
innocent kids to be killed each year
with unregistered handguns?
Example 2:
A. Everyone in a free country ought to be
able to live according to their own
religious beliefs.
B. Oh, so it's OK for witches to dig up
bodies to cut out gall bladders for
ingredients for their magic potions?
From:
http://maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com/archive
Reductio-ad-Absurdum.html

THE NEXT SECTION OF THE POWERPOINT EXPLAINS
TWO TYPES OF SATIRE AND THE DIFFERENT
TECHNIQUES OR CHARACTERISTICS OF SATIRE.
SINCE YOU WILL BE TAKING A QUIZ AND CREATING
YOUR OWN SHORT SATIRICAL PIECE AT THE END OF
THE MODULE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOT JUST GLANCE
THROUGH THE POWERPOINT BUT TO UNDERSTAND
THE DIFFERENT CONCEPTS.

Learning Module 8 - Satire - NOVINS

TWO EXAMPLES OF
SATIRICAL TEXT

EXAMPLE #1: An Older Article
Apple Hard At Work Making iPhone Obsolete
CUPERTINO, CA—Only a month after the much-heralded
announcement of the iPhone, Apple CEO Steve Jobs confirmed that
his engineers were already working around-the-clock on the touch
screen smart phone's far-superior replacement. "We looked at [the
iPhone's] innovative user interface, the paradigm-shifting voicemail,
the best-in-class mobile browser, and we realized we could make all
that seem ridiculously outdated by the time the product becomes
available to customers in June," said Jobs, who described the project
as "Apple reinventing the iPhone." "When the second-generation
iPhone comes out this fall, we want iPhone users to feel not just
jealous, but downright foolish for owning such laughably primitive
technology." Jobs also hinted that the second iPhone device would
not be compatible with existing Mac computers, third-party
peripherals, or any future Apple products.
(7/2007)

What You Should Have
Noticed…
 In order to mock/ ridicule technology
companies, this article utilizes sarcasm and
irony. For example, Jobs supposedly states
that Apple wants “users to feel not just jealous, but
downright foolish for owning such laughably
primitive technology."

Example #2
It Almost As If Rite Aid CashierDoesn’t
Care About Reputation Of Rite Aid
Corporation
PEORIA, IL—Citing the man’s wrinkled uniform and detached attitude, Rite Aid patrons
surmised Thursday that, if appearances could be believed, it would almost seem as though
cashier Gabriel Morales was wholly unconcerned with the reputation and overall
corporate health of the third largest retail pharmacy chain in the United States. “I don’t
want to jump to conclusions here, but his body language and general behavior might
nearly imply that he has little or no regard for the history of the Rite Aid corporation and
the image that it wants to project to the world,” said pharmacy customer Michael Valetta
of the 39-year-old Rite Aid employee, noting that Morales’ nonexistent greeting, slow
response time, and general air of indifference all but pointed to the conclusion that he
perhaps did not see himself as a representative of the Rite Aid brand who has been tasked
with upholding that company’s sense of tradition and character. “Honestly, if I didn’t know
any better, I’d say he was just treating this job as—how should I put this—well, almost like
it were any other minimum wage retail job rather than an esteemed position at one of
America’s most beloved, time-honored companies.” At press time, customers were
baffled to note Morales smoking outside of the store while on a break, as though he
wasn’t the public face of the country’s premier purveyor of pharmacy, health, and
wellness services. From: The Onion 11/14/13

What You Should Ask
Yourself…
 Is all the information in the text true?
 What point is the author trying to make?
 What serious problem is the author trying to
bring to light?
 What techniques does the author employ to
make his point?

Political Cartoons
FIVE Characteristics
1. Symbolism
2. Exaggeration
3. Labeling
4. Analogy
5. Irony

Symbolism
 Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to
stand for larger concepts or ideas.
 After you identify the symbols in a cartoon,
think about what the cartoonist intends each
symbol to stand for.

Symbolism
 What are the simple objects, or symbols, to
stand for larger concepts or ideas.
What does the cartoonist intend each symbol
to stand for?

Exaggeration
• Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate,
the physical characteristics of people or things in
order to make a point.
• When you study a cartoon, look for any
characteristics that seem overdone or overblown.
(Facial characteristics and clothing are some of
the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.)
• Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was
trying to make through exaggeration.

Exaggeration
• What physical characteristics of people or
things are exaggerated in order to make a
point?
• What is over done(Facial characteristics and
clothing are some of the most commonly
exaggerated characteristics.)
• What point is the cartoonist trying to make?

Labeling
• Cartoonists often label objects or
people to make it clear exactly what they stand
for.
• Watch out for the different labels that appear in
a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist
chose to label that particular person or object.
• Does the label make the meaning of the object
clearer?

Labeling
 What labeling is there?
 Why did the cartoonist chose to label that
particular person or object?
 Does the label make the meaning of the object
clearer?

Analogy
 An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that
share some characteristics.
 By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more
familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a
different light.
 After you’ve studied a cartoon for a awhile, try to decide what
the
cartoon’s main analogy is.
 What two situations does the cartoon compare?
 Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this
comparison makes the cartoonist’s point more clear to you.

Analogy
 What 2 unlike things are being compared?
 Does this make the cartoonist’s point more
clear to you.
 You need to understand the history.

Irony
• Is the difference between the ways things are and
the way things should be, or the way things are
expected to be.
• Cartoonists often use irony to express their
opinion on an issue.
• When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find
any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts. If
you can, think about what point the irony might be
intended to emphasize. Does the irony help the
cartoonist express his or her opinion more
effectively?

Irony
• The difference between the ways things are
and the way things should be, or the way
things are expected to be.
• Can you find any irony in the situation the
cartoon depicts?
• Does the irony help the cartoonist express his
or her opinion more effectively?

Political Cartoon Example
I am using this cartoon as an example – not as a derogatory
statement about Obama Care. It is a very current PC and a great
example.
I am using this cartoon as an example – not as a derogatory
statement about Obama Care. It is a very current PC and a great
example.

Parts 2 -5 of Module 8
 Part 2: Reading “A Modest Proposal”
 Part 3: Quiz
 Part 4: Discussion Board
 Part 5: Create short satirical essay

Give Credit Where Credit is
Due…
This PowerPoint is a compilation of different
PowerPoint presentations I have used over the
years. I have created some of the slides and
have also borrowed some of the slides from
other educators’ work. I greatly thank everyone
who has contributed to this PowerPoint.

Learning Module 8 - Satire - NOVINS

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