Satire Facts & Worksheets

Satire is a way of expressing ideas using humor, irony, and exaggeration to poke fun at things like problems in society and how people behave. It’s like using jokes to point out what’s wrong or silly about something serious.

Search for Worksheets

Download the Satire Facts & Worksheets

Click the button below to get instant access to these worksheets for use in the classroom or at a home.

Download This Worksheet

This download is exclusively for KidsKonnect Premium members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!

Edit This Worksheet

Editing resources is available exclusively for KidsKonnect Premium members.
To edit this worksheet, click the button below to signup (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start editing!

This worksheet can be edited by Premium members using the free Google Slides online software. Click the Edit button above to get started.

Download This Sample

This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!

Table of Contents

Satire is a way of expressing ideas using humor, irony, and exaggeration to poke fun at things like problems in society and how people behave. It’s like using jokes to point out what’s wrong or silly about something serious. Satire wants to make you think, question what’s normal, and maybe even change your mind about things by showing how ridiculous they can be. What makes satire special is its funny yet critical tone.

See the fact file below for more information about Satire, or you can download our 25-page Satire worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

• The term “satire” originates from Latin, specifically from “satur” and “lanx satura.”
• Initially, “satur” meant “full,” but when coupled with “lanx,” it evolved to signify a mixture of diverse elements.
• Quintilian, an ancient Roman scholar, believed satire to be uniquely Roman and used “satura” to describe a specific type of Roman verse satire that strictly adhered to hexameter form.
• The notion that satire originated with Aristophanes’ Old Comedy emerged later.
• While “satire” originates from “satura,” related terms like “satirize” or “satiric” have Greek origins.

HISTORY

• The history of satire goes way back to ancient times, around 7th century BCE.
• The Greeks were among the first to use satire, with poets like Archilochus and playwrights like Aristophanes making fun of society in a clever but critical way.
• They used humor to criticize things they thought were wrong.
• Roman writers like Horace and Juvenal added their own twists to this comedic criticism.
• Horace’s works were more playful and talked about everyday life, while Juvenal’s pointed out problems in Roman society like greed and dishonesty.
• After the Roman era, satire took a bit of a break during the Dark Ages, but it made a comeback during the Renaissance and Neoclassical periods.
• During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, satire was used to criticize religious and social issues.
• Writers like Geoffrey Chaucer, Miguel de Cervantes, and Desiderius Erasmus used satire to talk about problems in their societies.
• In the 17th and 18th centuries, satirists like Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift often imitated ancient genres.
• They created mock epics and sarcastic essays that criticized society’s faults.
• Jonathan Swift, for example, wrote “Gulliver’s Travels,” using stories about strange lands to criticize what was happening in England at the time.
• While some prefer lighter, Horatian satire, darker Juvenalian satire also remains popular.
• Moving into more recent times, modern satirists like Oscar Wilde, George Orwell, and Joseph Heller continued the tradition of satire in literature.
• In modern times, satire is still popular in things like comedy shows, movies, and funny magazines.

PURPOSE

• Throughout history, satire has given the public a medium and art form to mock and criticize influential figures in politics, economics, religion, and other spheres of power.
• It acts as a counterbalance to authority by challenging leaders and prompting them to clarify or adjust their policies.
• But in other places, especially under strict governments, making fun of powerful people can get you into trouble.
• Satire’s purpose is to highlight issues and inconsistencies, not necessarily to resolve them.
• It gives us a peek into what a group of people really values and believes in.
• Sometimes, satire can even be better than history or anthropology in helping us get what’s going on because it’s more about how people feel and think, not just facts and dates.

TYPES

• Three prominent modes of satire are Horatian, Juvenalian, and Menippean.
• Horatian satire, inspired by the Roman satirist Horace, employs light-hearted humor to critique social vices.
• Horatian satire uses wit and self-deprecating humor to evoke a wry smile and encourage a less serious outlook on life.
• Juvenalian satire, named after another Roman writer, Juvenal, is more direct and critical.
• It uses strong language and ridicule to highlight societal problems and push for change.
• It targets public figures, institutions, and societal structures.
• This type of satire is often edgy and aims to provoke a reaction.
• Menippean satire is less commonly known.
• It mixes humor and philosophy to challenge conventional thinking and make people question what they believe.
• It often presents a chaotic narrative structure that explores cultural themes through irony.
• Beyond these modes, satire can also be classified based on the topics it addresses.
• Politics and religion are recurring themes in satirical literature.
• Political satire, in particular, is a powerful tool for highlighting the flaws in political systems and figures.
• Beyond just writing, satire can also be found in art, music, and even stand-up comedy.

EXAMPLES AND NOTABLE WORKS

LITERATURE

• In “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift, the writer suggests a ridiculous solution to Ireland’s poverty: eating babies.
  • He’s not serious, but he’s making fun of how England mistreats Ireland.
  • It’s a funny way of talking about how leaders can become corrupt and power can be misused.
  • It makes fun of how confusing and illogical those rules can be.

  TELEVISION SHOWS/MOVIES

  • “The Simpsons” makes fun of American life and politics.
    • The characters are exaggerated and silly, but they also talk about real problems.

    ART

    • Cartoons in newspapers often make fun of politicians or events.
    • “Punch” was a pioneering British weekly magazine started in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and Ebenezer Landells, who made jokes and drawings that we now call cartoons;
    • The comic strip “Dilbert” is about work and office life.
      • It uses humor to talk about how frustrating jobs can be.

      MUSIC

      • “Weird Al” Yankovic is a singer who changes famous songs to be funny.
        • He sings about silly things like eating too much or being a nerdy person.
        • It jokes about how everyone tries to act cool and be famous.

        Satire Worksheets

        This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Satire across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Satire. Satire wants to make you think, question what’s normal, and maybe even change your mind about things by showing how ridiculous they can be. What makes satire special is its funny yet critical tone.

        

        Complete List of Included Worksheets

        Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

        1. Satire Facts
        2. Element Search
        3. Fact or Fake
        4. Wise Detective
        5. The Satirical Newsroom
        6. Satirical Skit
        7. Painting Analysis
        8. Care About Cartoons
        9. Compare and Contrast
        10. Artist Profiles
        11. Satire Recap

        Frequently Asked Questions

        What is satire in literature?

        Satire is a literary technique employed to criticize or ridicule human folly and vices, often through humor, irony, or exaggeration. It aims to provoke change or draw attention to societal issues by highlighting their absurdity or flaws.

        What are some famous examples of satirical literature?

        • “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift: Swift uses the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver to satirize various aspects of society, including politics, science, and human nature.
        • “Animal Farm” by George Orwell: Orwell’s allegorical novella critiques the Russian Revolution and totalitarianism through the lens of a farm where animals overthrow their human owners.
        • “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller: This novel satirizes the absurdity of war and bureaucracy, particularly through the protagonist’s attempts to escape military service.
        • “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift: Swift proposes a shocking solution to poverty in Ireland—suggesting that the poor should sell their children as food—to highlight the indifference of the ruling class.

        How does satire differ from other forms of humor?

        While humor aims to entertain, satire has a broader purpose of social critique or commentary. Satire often employs humor, but its primary goal is to expose and challenge societal norms, institutions, or individuals. It can be more biting and critical than other forms of humor, which may focus solely on eliciting laughter.

        What are the different types of satire?

        • Horatian satire: Named after the Roman poet Horace, this form of satire is witty, gentle, and aims to amuse rather than outrage. It often takes a more lighthearted and humorous approach to critique.
        • Juvenalian satire: Named after the Roman satirist Juvenal, this type of satire is harsh, bitter, and often targets individuals or institutions with strong indignation. It seeks to provoke anger or outrage in its audience.
        • Menippean satire: This form of satire is characterized by its diverse and often chaotic style, mixing prose and verse, and targeting various aspects of society through a series of disconnected episodes or vignettes.

        How does satire impact society?

        Satire has the power to provoke thought, challenge beliefs, and inspire change. By highlighting societal issues in a humorous or exaggerated manner, satire can encourage critical thinking and spark conversations about important topics. It also provides a platform for dissent and can hold individuals or institutions accountable for their actions. However, satire’s effectiveness can vary depending on the audience’s receptiveness and the cultural context in which it is presented.

        Link/cite this page

        If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

        Use With Any Curriculum

        These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.