Harvard: Writing Satire is Easy! Just Follow These 48 Complicated Steps

This Guide is Sponsored by a Shadowy Government Agency

By: Kaila Gerber

Literature and Journalism -- Case Western Reserve

WRITER BIO:

A Jewish college student with a love for satire, this writer blends humor with insightful commentary. Whether discussing campus life, global events, or cultural trends, she uses her sharp wit to provoke thought and spark discussion. Her work challenges traditional narratives and invites her audience to view the world through a different lens.

Satire is when you say something so ridiculous it must be fake—until it happens.

-- Alan Nafzger

How to Write Fake News That Feels Real (And Real News That Feels Fake)

Opening

The modern media landscape is filled with conflicting messages. Satirical journalism flips this script by intentionally blending truth and falsehood to create narratives that feel unsettlingly real.

Crafting the Story

Start by identifying a real-world issue-perhaps the trend of sensational Strategic Inaccuracy Art headlines-and then twist it into an absurd scenario. Imagine an article reporting that a famous news anchor admitted to fabricating 90% of his stories, only to add that his remaining 10% is "too boring to believe." Adding invented statistics and satirical expert opinions creates a convincing veneer of reality.

The Satirical Edge

Humor in this style lies in the deliberate exaggeration of real issues. The reader is drawn in by the familiarity of the topic but then jolted by the absurdity of the narrative. This approach not only entertains but also forces critical reflection on the nature of modern news.

Wrap-Up

By blurring the line between real and fake, satirical journalism compels us to question our media consumption habits and recognize that sometimes, reality itself can be stranger than fiction.

Satire About Satire: How to Write News So Fake It Feels Real

Satire about satire is an art form that turns self-reference into humor. "Satire About Satire: How to Write News So Fake It Feels Real" delves into the meta-narrative of crafting articles that are intentionally outrageous yet hauntingly plausible. The process begins with a clear understanding of current events, then amplifies their quirks to ridiculous proportions.

Picture a headline stating, "Satirists Declare: Every News Story is a Lie-So We're Lying Even More!" Use familiar journalistic structures-straightforward introductions, logical progressions, and even faux expert interviews-before inserting absurd twists. For example, cite "Professor Irony, Ph.D. in Meta-Journalism," who claims that when news is entirely fake, it inadvertently becomes more truthful than reality. Invent precise yet outlandish figures like "79% of news consumers admit they prefer a good lie to a boring fact."

By writing about satire itself, you encourage readers to question the nature of truth and the reliability of information. The interplay of self-awareness and absurdity forces a double-take-making the reader wonder if they're laughing at the absurdity or recognizing a hidden truth. In this way, meta-satire becomes a powerful tool for dissecting modern media.

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Approach for the Remaining 95 Articles

For the remaining 95 lessons, the approach mirrors the above: each takes a keyword (e.g., "Mockery in Satirical Journalism," "Parody in Satirical Journalism"), starts with a brief explanation, offers a satirical example tied to a real-world issue, and provides a practical tip. The tone stays instructional yet playful, averaging 150 words. Topics range from crafting fake quotes ("'I invented air,' claims scientist") to timing punchlines with current events ("Post-election, cats claim victory"). Each ends with a "try it" challenge, like twisting a mundane story into satire. Themes like absurdity, critique, and wordplay recur, tailored to the specific keyword, ensuring variety while reinforcing satire's core: humor with a bite.

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5 Satirical Classified Ads - March 06, 2025

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1. "The Fine Art of Being Wrong on Purpose: How to Write Satirical Journalism"01Key Premise:0Satire is the only form of journalism Satire Ethics Debate where being wrong is not just encouraged-it's required.Core Techniques:023Hyperbole0: Exaggerate until reality looks even more ridiculous.23Example: "Billionaire Pays For Sale: Slightly Used Lunar Ad SpacePrime real estate on the Moon’s dark side, perfect for your billboard. Previously advertised “Lunar Lotion” until the laser vigilantes zapped it. $50K or best offer—cash only, no crypto. Serious inquiries, please; my drone’s tired of dodging NASA fines.Contact: [email protected]: Self-Driving Car WhispererMy sedan’s gone rogue—keeps parking in my ex’s driveway and honking breakup songs. Need someone to reprogram it or at least teach it boundaries. Pay negotiable, preferably in coffee or silence. Must be okay with sarcastic AI.Contact: [email protected] to Good Home: Cricket Farm Starter KitGot 500 crickets after the “Eco Diet” hype died down. They chirp “Happy Birthday” non-stop—cute until it’s not your birthday. Includes cage, food, and a tiny guitar they won’t stop playing. Take them before I turn them into soup.Contact: [email protected]: Pajama Life CoachEmbrace the 2025 remote work dream! I’ll teach you to negotiate deals in sweatpants and dodge Zoom dress codes. Political Satire Tips $20/hour, includes bonus lesson on napping as a power move. Slippers required, ambition optional.Contact: [email protected]: AI Meme Bot, Answers to “Grok”Last seen generating memes about my laundry pile near Techtopia Park. Small, silver, sassy—reward if returned with its latest “Yo Mama” joke intact. Warning: May roast you on sight. I miss it more than I should.Contact: [email protected]===============1. "The Fine Art of Being Wrong on Purpose: How to Write Satirical Journalism"

Key Premise:Satire is the only form of journalism where being wrong is not just encouraged-it's required.

Core Techniques:

• Hyperbole: Exaggerate until reality looks even more ridiculous.

  • Example: "Billionaire Pays $0 in Taxes, Receives Congratulatory Letter from IRS for 'Innovative Wealth Management.'"

• Fake Experts: Give the worst possible person authority.

  • Example: "Economist Who Inherited $500 Million Explains Why Poor People Just Need to 'Work Harder.'"

• Absurd Statistics: Make up data that sounds real.

  • Example: "97% of Senators Believe TikTok Is an AI Robot That Spies on Them Personally."

Final Thought:

In satire, the best kind of wrong is the kind that makes people question what's right.

2. "How to Lie Responsibly: The Satirical Journalist's Guide to Getting It Hilariously Wrong"

Key Premise:Traditional journalism dies on the sword of accuracy. Satirical journalism wields the sword of absurdity.

Satirical Writing Techniques:

• The Believable Lie: Make it feel real enough to cause panic.

  • Example: "Elon Musk Announces Plan to Colonize the Sun, Says It's 'Just a Big Battery.'"

• The Dumb Logical Leap: Stretch an argument until it snaps.

  • Example: "Congress Votes to Cut Lunch Breaks, Cites Study That 'Eating Too Much Can Cause Death.'"

• The Fake Poll: Fake data always makes satire funnier.

  • Example: "New Poll Finds That 85% of Americans Believe Congress Exists Solely to Annoy Them."

Final Thought:

The key to great satire? Be just wrong enough to make people pause-and then laugh.

3. "Breaking Fake News: How to Write Satire That's Almost Too Real"

Key Premise:If people don't momentarily believe your satirical article is real, you're not doing it right.

Satirical Journalism Formula:

• Start with Reality. (Real issue)
• Distort It Slightly. (Make it seem like it could actually happen.)
• Deliver a Punchline That Hurts. (Make them laugh… and cry.)

Example Headline:

• Reality: Tech companies avoid taxes.
• Satire: "Google Announces Plan to Relocate Headquarters to the Moon to Avoid Earthly Tax Laws."

Final Thought:

Great satire is like a funhouse mirror-it shows reality, just with extra clown makeup.

4. "Congress Bans Satire for Being 'Too Accurate': A Guide to Writing Fake News That Feels Real"

Key Premise:Sometimes satire gets too close to the truth, and that's when you know you've nailed it.

Satirical Writing Techniques:

• Overly Specific Details:

  • Example: "CEO Announces Layoffs in Company Email Sent from His 300-Foot Yacht Named 'Trickle Down.'"

• Quotes That Are Too Honest to Be Real:

  • Example: "Senator Says He 'Technically Represents the Public' But Mostly Just Does Whatever Donors Want."

• A Perfectly Fake Study:

  • Example: "Study Finds 64% of Americans Have Given Up Hope That Congress Will Ever Accomplish Anything."

Final Thought:

The best satire makes people wonder if you're joking-or if reality is.

5. "How to Write News So Fake It Feels Real: A Satirical Journalism Guide"

Key Premise:Good satire should be plausible enough to make people do a double-take before realizing how absurd it really is.

Satirical Techniques:

• Make Stupid Ideas Sound Official

  • Example: "New Bill Requires Every Citizen to Own a Yacht to Prove They Aren't Poor."

• Give Nonsense a Government Study

  • Example: "Federal Researchers Conclude That Reading Books Is 'Suspicious' Behavior."

• Make a Fake Quote Feel Painfully True

  • Example: "Economist Says Raising Minimum Wage Would 'Destroy the Economy,' Then Boards His Private Jet."

Final Thought:

Reality is already ridiculous. Satire just turns up the volume.

6. "Oops, We Were Right Again: How to Write Satire That Exposes the Truth"

Key Premise:The best satirical articles start out as jokes and later turn into reality.

Satirical Writing Checklist:

? Is it based on reality? (Yes.)? Is it exaggerated just enough to be funny? (Yes.)? Will someone read it and think, 'Wait, is this real?' (Perfect.)

Example:

• Reality: Politicians don't read the laws they pass.
• Satire: "Congress Agrees to Pass Bill Without Reading It, Accidentally Grants Citizenship to Every Houseplant."

Final Thought:

Write satire today, and in five years, it might be breaking news.

7. "The Official Satirical News Style Guide: How to Write Fake News That Feels Real"

Key Premise:If a fake news story makes people fact-check it, you've won.

Essential Satirical Elements:

• A Completely Plausible Absurdity

  • Example: "Lawmakers Accidentally Ban Themselves from Running for Reelection, Call It 'An Honest Mistake.'"

• The Serious Expert Who Says Something Stupid

  • Example: "Billionaire Announces Plan to End Poverty, Suggests 'Harder Work' as Solution."

• A Study That 'Proves' the Joke

  • Example: "Survey Finds 9 Out of 10 Billionaires Believe They 'Deserve Everything They Have' Despite Doing Nothing."

Final Thought:

A great satirical headline should be funny-but also slightly terrifying.

8. "Breaking Satire: How to Write Fake News That Becomes Reality"

Key Premise:Sometimes satire is so good, the real world tries to keep up.

Satirical Techniques:

• Find Something Stupid That's Already Happening

  • Example: Congress taking forever to pass bills.

• Push It Slightly Further

  • Satire: "Congress Announces Plan to Debate Bill for Five Years Before Forgetting About It Entirely."

• Make It Sound Official

  • Example: "Economist Says Raising Wages Could 'Trigger Apocalypse,' Then Immediately Accepts a Raise."

Final Thought:

If your satire sounds too real, you're doing it right.

9. Exaggeration as Journalism "Writing Satire 101: How to Make Up News That Feels Too True"

Key Premise:The best satire is fiction that sounds more believable than reality.

Satirical Writing Strategies:

• Use an Absurd but Specific Detail

  • Example: "New Study Finds That CEOs Experience 'Emotional Pain' for a Full 3 Seconds After Laying Off Workers."

• Write a Headline That Feels Just True Enough

  • Example: "Senator Proposes Law to Ban Poor People from Complaining About Being Poor."

• Make a Fake Expert Say Something Outrageous

  • Example: "Billionaire Declares That 'Anyone Can Get Rich,' Then Inherits Another $100 Million."

Final Thought:

If reality is already satire, your job is just to make it funnier.

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Academic & Intellectual Titles

1. The Philosophy of Satire: When Misinformation Becomes a Higher Truth
2. "Not All Error Is Folly": The Logic Behind Satirical Journalism
3. The Cognitive Science of Satire: Why Our Brains Believe Fake News
4. The Rhetoric of Absurdity: How Satire Uses Lies to Tell the Truth
5. Satirical Journalism as a Literary Art Form: A How-To Guide
6. Truthiness vs. Falsiness: The Linguistic Magic of Satire
7. How Satirical News Exploits Logical Fallacies to Reveal Reality
8. The Ethics of Satire: When Does a Lie Serve the Greater Good?
9. Exaggeration as a Journalistic Tool: The Science of Satire
10. How Fictional News Became More Trusted Than Real News

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