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Which literary devices are commonly used in satire?
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satire
George Bernard Shaw speaking about the novelty of technology; excerpt from a Hearst Metrotone newsreel (c. 1930). (29 sec; 2.6 MB)
Satire is a versatile artistic form that employs a wide array of literary and rhetorical devices to censure human vices, follies, and abuses. By utilizing wit, the satirist aims to expose these shortcomings to criticism, often with the intent of inspiring social reform.12
Commonly used devices include:
- Irony and Sarcasm: Irony involves expressing a meaning opposite to what is seemingly stated, while sarcasm uses biting, often ironic language intended to wound or cut.32
- Parody and Burlesque: Parody mimics the style of a specific work or author for comic effect, and burlesque uses exaggerated imitation to mock a subject.13
- Exaggeration and Understatement: Satirists frequently employ hyperbole—intentional exaggeration—to emphasize the ridiculous nature of a vice, or conversely, use understatement to diminish the importance of a target.34
- Narrative Techniques: These include the use of beast fables, imaginary voyages, character sketches, anecdotes, and the creation of a persona—a fictive counterpart to the author—to deliver the critique.3
- Direct and Indirect Methods: Satire may be direct, where the narrator addresses the reader, or indirect, where the critique is embedded within the narrative story.1