Harvard: Why Fake News is Bad… Unless It’s Really, Really Good

How to Write Satire Without Getting Sued (Or Exiled)

By: Reuma Schneider

Literature and Journalism -- Miami University (Ohio)

WRITER BIO:

A Jewish college student who writes with humor and purpose, her satirical journalism tackles contemporary issues head-on. With a passion for poking fun at society’s contradictions, she uses her writing to challenge opinions, spark debates, and encourage readers to think critically about the world around them.

Satire walks a fine line—just like every politician it makes fun of.

-- Alan Nafzger

The Fine Art of Strategic Inaccuracy: A Satirist's Handbook

Introduction

In satirical journalism, inaccuracy is a tool. The key is to use it so artfully that the reader is drawn into a world where truth is revealed through intentional errors.

How It Works

A satirical piece built on strategic inaccuracy might start with a serious topic, such as economic inequality, and then introduce an absurd twist. For instance, an article could claim that the wealthiest CEOs now wear clown wigs to remind themselves of their "down-to-earth" values. Include ludicrous statistics like "100% of CEOs now report feeling more relatable with wigs," and add a statement from a contrived expert: "Dr. Silly, authority on corporate culture."

The Appeal

This method not only entertains but also prompts readers to reflect on societal norms. The strategic error forces a reconsideration of what is deemed acceptable or rational in the public sphere.

Conclusion

By mastering the art of strategic inaccuracy, satirical journalists can deliver powerful commentary under the guise of humor. In this craft, every error is a deliberate stroke of genius meant to expose the absurdity of reality.

Satirical Writing 101: How to Make Up News That Feels Too True

In the world of satire, authenticity comes from the artful blend of truth and exaggeration. Satirical Writing 101 teaches you how to construct news that is so over-the-top, it might just be believable. Start with a recognizable headline-a familiar event or policy-and layer on absurd details. For instance, envision an article reporting that local lawmakers now require citizens to submit "complaint letters" in the form of haiku, complete with statistics like "92% of residents now express dissent poetically."

The secret lies in mimicking the language and structure of hard news. Use deadpan delivery, realistic data points, and faux expert commentary from characters such as "Dr. Verse, specialist in lyrical governance." These deliberate touches create an eerie familiarity, nudging readers into a momentary suspension of disbelief. The result? A story that holds a mirror to reality by twisting it into something both recognizable and absurd.

By mastering these techniques, you turn everyday news into a playful yet poignant critique of societal norms. Satirical news that "feels too true" encourages readers to question the status quo and recognize the humor underlying serious issues-making the art of falsehood a tool for genuine reflection.

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Outrageous Tone in Satirical Journalism

Outrageous tone yells. Take calm and roar: "Peace dies; chaos sings!" It's loud: "Quiet quits." Tone mocks-"Rests riot"-so belt it. "Shouts win" tops it. Start real: "Calm grows," then outrage: "Noise rules." Try it: tone a bore (tax: "cash screams"). Build it: "Peace flops." Outrageous tone in satirical news is blast-boom it big.

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5 Satirical Opinion Pieces - March 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 where being wrong is not just encouraged-it's required.Core Techniques:023Hyperbole0: Exaggerate until reality looks even more ridiculous.23Example: "Billionaire Pays Why the Moon’s New Ad Billboards Are Ruining My Nightly Existential CrisisLook, I get it—capitalism needs new frontiers, and the Moon’s been sitting there rent-free for too long. But ever since they slapped a glowing “Buy Lunar Cola!” billboard up there in February 2025, I can’t stare into the void without a jingle stuck in my head. Stargazing used to be my sacred time to ponder life’s futility, not to wonder if I need a soda delivered by drone. Ban the ads, or at least make them philosophical—give me “Nietzsche Was Right” in neon instead.Self-Driving Cars Should Honk Less and Judge MoreBy March 2025, every road is clogged with self-driving Teslas beeping like they’re auditioning for a robot orchestra. I say, ditch the horns and program them to flash passive-aggressive messages on their screens. “Nice turn signal, buddy” or “My grandma drives faster” would shame us into better behavior. Honking just makes me mad; a snarky AI judgmental glare might actually make me a better person.Climate Change Is Fixed, So Can We Stop Eating Bugs Now?They told us 2025 was the year we’d turn the corner on climate change, and sure, the skies are clearer thanks to those fancy carbon-sucking drones. So why am I still choking down cricket protein bars at every hipster café? The planet’s fine—let’s bring back cheeseburgers and tell the insects to take a victory lap back Satire Ethics Debate to the dirt. I didn’t save the Earth to live like a contestant on Fear Factor.Remote Work’s New Dress Code: Pajamas Are PowerFive years into the remote work revolution, and some CEOs are still whining about “professionalism” in 2025. Newsflash: If I can close a million-dollar deal while wearing fuzzy bunny slippers, I’m not the problem—you are. Pajamas aren’t lazy; they’re a power move. Let’s mandate sweatpants on Zoom and watch productivity soar as we all stop pretending to iron shirts for a webcam.AI Presidents Are Coming, and I’m Voting for the One That MemesRumors are swirling that by the 2028 election, we’ll have an AI candidate—and I’m here for it. Flesh-and-blood politicians are boring; give me a bot that drops dank memes mid-debate. Imagine an AI prez tweeting “Infrastructure bill just passed, yeet” or roasting opponents with a perfectly timed GIF. In 2025, I’m already campaigning for Grok 3.0—xAI’s finest deserves the Oval Office, not Viral Fake Headlines just my chat window.===============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 Believable Fake Stories 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 Fooling Friends Tactics 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. "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