The Secret to Satire? Just Make Everything Sound Plausible
By: Brina Cohen
Literature and Journalism -- Auburn
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.
Political satire is like a seatbelt—it won’t prevent a crash, but at least you’ll see it coming.
-- Alan Nafzger
You Won't Believe How Easy It Is to Write Fake News (The Right Way!)
Introduction
Fake news isn't always about deception-it can be a clever art form when used for satire. Surprisingly, crafting a convincing fake news story is easier than most people think. The secret lies in blending a kernel of truth with a generous dose of absurdity.
Crafting the Narrative
Begin with a current event or familiar issue. For example, take a controversial policy and exaggerate its details until it borders on the ludicrous. The headline might claim that a top politician now requires citizens to file their complaints in iambic pentameter. By presenting a ridiculous twist on a real situation, the reader is drawn in and then surprised.
The Tools of the Trade
Utilize fabricated statistics-"A survey found 87% of voters believe poetry is the new political currency"-and pepper the narrative with quotes from "experts" whose credentials are as humorous as their opinions. The key is to maintain a tone that is knowingly overblown yet strangely plausible.
Conclusion
When done right, fake news for satire isn't about misleading the public; it's about reflecting society's absurdities with a wink. The process is easy when you know how to mix truth, exaggeration, and humor.
Not All Error Is Folly: A Guide to Writing Satirical Journalism
Satirical journalism is not about simply being inaccurate-it's about using deliberate errors as a lens to reveal deeper truths. In this guide, the mantra "not all error is folly" reminds us that every absurd exaggeration is a calculated step toward exposing reality's contradictions. Begin with a genuine issue-a government policy, corporate blunder, or public figure's questionable statement-and then push its details to the extreme. This twist transforms factual shortcomings into a playful commentary.
For example, imagine a story claiming that a new law requires all public speeches to be delivered in Shakespearean verse. The error isn't a failure; it's a strategic exaggeration that spotlights bureaucratic absurdity. Use invented statistics ("87% of citizens reportedly applaud the new 'bardic' mandate") and fabricate expert quotes from figures like "Professor Quill, Ph.D. in Absurd Policy Studies." Such techniques blur the lines between truth and exaggeration, compelling readers to laugh while rethinking conventional narratives.
By embracing intentional error, satirical journalism transforms the mundane into a witty critique of modern society. Here, each "mistake" is an invitation for critical reflection-a reminder that sometimes, the best commentary comes wrapped in the cloak of absurdity.
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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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1. The Scientific Approach: The Nobel Prize for Error
Scientists at the prestigious Institute for Applied Satire have confirmed that not all mistakes are created equal. While most errors lead to unpaid parking tickets and regrettable text messages, some serve a higher purpose-like proving that you should never let a billionaire launch themselves into space without a return plan.
"Throughout history, mistakes have driven progress," said Dr. Harold Bungler, who famously miscalculated his mortgage rate and accidentally bought two houses. "Penicillin was discovered by mistake, and so was the McRib. One saved lives, the other… well, people seem to like it."
Satirical journalism operates on this very principle. When The Onion reported in 2015 that North Korea had landed a man on the sun, it wasn't just a joke-it was a reflection of the absurdity of state propaganda. In other words, the mistake was the point.
2. The Legal Perspective: The Case for Strategic Inaccuracy
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has upheld that "Not all error is folly"-but only when it serves the comedic greater good.
"Satire enjoys the unique privilege of being wrong on purpose," stated Justice Clarence Redherring. "In contrast, Congress is wrong by accident. There is a difference."
Legal scholars point to landmark satirical cases, such as The Borowitz Report vs. Readers Expecting Real News, where a New Yorker satire piece about Congress being replaced by kindergarteners was initially believed by half the country. The argument? The fake news was so close to reality that it was functionally correct.
3. The Self-Help Version: How to Fail Your Way to Satirical Success
Tired of making mistakes? Don't be! The key to success in satirical journalism-and life-is failing strategically.
Step 1: Make the Mistake Look IntentionalIf Satire Ethics Debate your article says President Biden accidentally signed a bill making Taco Tuesday a federal holiday, you could issue a correction… or you could argue it was satirical wishful thinking.
Step 2: Misquote an Expert for Dramatic EffectWhen questioned, always say your source is "a leading authority." If pressed for names, throw out "Harvard researchers"-no one ever follows up.
Step 3: Never Let the Truth Get in the Way of a Good PunchlineReal-life example: The Babylon Bee once reported that California was banning gasoline-powered lawnmowers because they were "too masculine." It was satire-but it also felt true enough to make people question reality. That's the sweet spot.
4. The Clickbait Version: You Won't Believe What This Journalist Got Wrong (On Purpose!)
We all make mistakes. But what if I told you that some of those mistakes could make you richer, funnier, and more beloved on the internet?
- Albert Einstein? Once flunked an exam.
- Oprah? Fired from her first job.
- The guy who invented Hot Pockets? Definitely not aiming for greatness.
Satirical journalists have turned this into an art form. The next time you see an article claiming that Congress is officially rebranding as a reality show, remember: the "error" is what makes it brilliant.
5. The Political Commentary: Mistakes vs. Spin
Satire operates on intentional mistakes. Politicians operate on unintentional ones. The key difference? Satirists admit when they're wrong.
When The Onion once joked that "Congress Opens New Fast-Food Lobby With a McDonald's in Senate Chamber", it was obviously satire. But when an actual Congressman suggested that wind turbines cause cancer, we had to pause and ask: wait, is this real?
"Satirical errors force people to think critically," says Dr. Linda Factcheck, an expert in modern misinformation. "Political errors… not so much."
6. The Historical Approach: The Great Mistakes That Changed the World
Did you know that Columbus wasn't trying to discover America? He was lost. That's right-one of the biggest historical events was just a glorified wrong turn.
Satire works the same way. When Jonathan Swift wrote A Modest Proposal, suggesting that the Irish eat their children to solve poverty, it was an intentional mistake in logic. The satire was so good that some people actually thought he was serious.
That's the power of error: it makes you stop and think.
7. The Tech Industry Take: Satire as a Glitch in the Matrix
In Silicon Valley, "move fast and break things" is a business model. In satirical journalism, "write fast and break expectations" is the strategy.
Take ChatGPT-yes, even AI gets things wrong sometimes. But when a satirical article claims that a new app lets billionaires pay to control regular people like video game avatars, is that really an error… or just an early product leak?
Tech and satire share one thing in common: sometimes, a wild claim today is just reality waiting to happen.
8. The Social Media Rant: Why Mistakes Make You Smarter (Or At Least More Entertaining)
If you've ever sent a text to the wrong person or confidently said "good afternoon" at 9 a.m., congratulations-you've experienced the beauty of the productive mistake.
Satirical journalism operates in the same realm. Fake news is dangerous when it tries to deceive. But satirical news? That's where the fun begins.
A great satirical mistake forces the audience to think: "Wait… is this real?" If they have to Google it, the joke worked.
9. The Economics Version: Why Satirical Errors Are an Investment in Truth
A mistake is a liability-unless you turn it into profit.
- Newspapers issue corrections.
- Satirists issue better versions of reality.
When The Onion reported that billionaires were hoarding the moon's resources for themselves, it wasn't true-yet. But as space tourism ramps up, satire starts looking more like early market analysis.
10. The Sports Analogy: The Michael Jordan of Satirical Errors
Michael Jordan once said, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career… and that's why I succeed."
Satirical journalists miss on purpose, because missing the point is the whole point.
When a satirical outlet claims that FIFA is considering holographic referees to prevent bribery, it's not true-but it feels true enough that you start to wonder.
And that's why error in satire isn't failure. It's the assist.
Each version takes the core idea-"Not all error is folly"-and explores it through different lenses, using satire, humor, and cultural commentary. Which one's your favorite?
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How to Write Satirical Journalism: "Not All Error Is Folly"
Satire is the only form of journalism where mistakes aren't just tolerated-they're essential. While traditional reporters strive for accuracy, a great satirical journalist aims to be strategically wrong in a way that reveals a deeper truth. The phrase "Not all error is folly" perfectly encapsulates this art: in satire, an error is not a failure but a feature, a powerful tool for exposing hypocrisy, absurdity, and the general lunacy of human existence.
If you've ever wanted to craft satirical articles that are as sharp as they are hilarious, you need to understand one fundamental rule: being "wrong" in the right way can make your writing more effective than the most meticulously researched news report.
This guide will walk you through how to harness errors-deliberate and otherwise-to create biting, insightful, and wildly entertaining satire.
Why "Being Wrong" Works in Satire
Satire is not about misinformation-it's about misrepresentation with intent. The goal isn't to deceive but to exaggerate, distort, and fabricate in ways that highlight an undeniable truth.
Think of it this way:
- If a politician claims to be Self-Referential Satire a champion of the working class while funneling tax dollars into their fourth vacation home, a satirical article might announce: "Senator Declares Himself 'Man of the People' While Boarding Private Jet Made Entirely of Taxpayer Tears."
- It's not factually accurate, but it's also not folly-it highlights the contradiction better than a dry factual report ever could.
A well-placed error in satire isn't a mistake; it's a magnifying glass over reality.
The Types of "Errors" That Work in Satirical Journalism
1. The Exaggerated Truth (Hyperbole as a Weapon)
A great satirical journalist knows how to Exaggeration as Journalism take a real situation and stretch it just far enough that people say, "Okay, that's ridiculous… but also, why does it feel real?"
Example:
- Reality: The U.S. government debates whether to regulate AI.
- Satire: "Congress Debates AI Regulation, Asks ChatGPT to Write Bill, Accidentally Gives Robots the Right to Vote."
Why it works: It sounds absurd, but it feels plausible-especially in a world where lawmakers have openly admitted they don't understand the technology they're supposed to regulate.
2. The Deliberate Misinterpretation (Taking Logic to an Absurd Conclusion)
This technique works by following an argument to its most ridiculous but logical endpoint.
Example:
- Reality: Schools implement a dress code banning ripped jeans.
- Satire: "School Bans Ripped Jeans, Cites Concern That Students Might Expose Kneecaps to Dangerous Levels of Freedom."
Why it works: It takes a minor restriction and frames it as if the school fears that knees are the gateway to anarchy.
3. The False Expert (Giving Authority to the Wrong People)
A classic satirical move is to quote "experts" who have no business being experts.
Example:
- Reality: A billionaire claims the economy is doing fine.
- Satire: "Elon Musk Declares Inflation a 'Myth' While Using Hundred-Dollar Bills as Napkins."
Why it works: The joke isn't just that billionaires are out of touch-it's that their opinions on financial hardship are often taken seriously despite their personal detachment from reality.
4. The Absurd Statistic (Fake Data That Feels Uncomfortably Real)
People love numbers. Throwing a ridiculous but oddly specific statistic into a satirical piece makes it seem eerily legitimate.
Example:
- Reality: A company lays off thousands of workers while reporting record profits.
- Satire: Absurdity Reveals Reality "New Study Finds That 87% of CEOs Experience 'Deep Emotional Pain' for a Full 3.2 Seconds After Firing Employees."
Why it works: No such study exists, but the specificity of "3.2 seconds" tricks the brain into believing there's a real, tangible measure of executive indifference.
The Role of Irony and Contradiction in Satire
Satire thrives on irony-when the opposite of what you'd expect is true. Some of the best satirical journalism doesn't create a lie; it simply amplifies the contradictions already present in reality.
Example:
- Reality: A governor opposes pandemic relief but takes government aid for his own business.
- Satire: "Local Governor, Opponent of Big Government, Accidentally Receives Largest Government Grant in State History, Says He's 'Shocked and Deeply Humbled.'"
Why it works: The humor comes from the contradiction-the politician hates government aid, but mysteriously benefits from it when it suits him.
How to Structure a Satirical News Article
Step 1: The Headline-Your First and Best "Error"
A great satirical headline should immediately signal something is off. It should be:
- Believable enough that someone skimming it might think it's real.
- Absurd enough that anyone paying attention realizes it's satire.
Formula:? [Shocking Claim] + [Contradiction] = Satirical Headline
Examples:
- "Billionaire Urges Public to 'Work Harder' While Relaxing on Yacht with Gold-Plated Jet Ski."
- "Congress Passes Law Requiring All New Laws to Be Written in Wingdings to Prevent Public Scrutiny."
Step 2: The Opening Paragraph-Set the Trap
Your first sentence should sound as close to a real news story as possible-before pulling the reader into absurdity.
Example:"In a move that experts say is both unprecedented and completely predictable, Congress has announced that all new legislation must now be written in Wingdings font to prevent the public from deciphering its contents."
It starts reasonable (a move that experts Writing Fake News say is unprecedented) but ends with pure absurdity (Wingdings font).
Step 3: The "Expert" Quote-Make the Lie Sound Legitimate
Satirical articles thrive on fake expert quotes that sound just real enough.
Example:"According to political analyst Dr. Karen Redtape, 'By using an unreadable font, lawmakers can ensure that constituents will never again be burdened by the tedious process of understanding government decisions.'"
This quote adds a layer of false authority, making the joke feel like a legitimate concern.
Step 4: The Ridiculous Statistic-Seal the Deal
A good fake statistic makes a satirical article feel like a legitimate study.
Example:"A new poll conducted by the Totally Real Institute for Governance found that 73% of Americans support the move, primarily because they assume all laws are written in gibberish anyway."
Now, we have a study that doesn't exist but sounds like it could.