| A | B |
|---|
| Allegory | is a narrative with a literal and a symbolic meaning. By using allegory, writers can disguise their satirical targets as a character. |
| Parable | is a story that teaches a lesson |
| Ambiguity | Inherent in most of these techniques, ambiguity is simply when the meaning of something is unclear and it may mean more than one thing. |
| Exaggeration | To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen |
| Diminution | Taking a real-life situation and reducing it to make it ridiculous and showcase its faults. Also, Reduction. |
| Distortion | Taking something out of its ordinary surroundings sometimes reveals its idiocy or inadequacies. |
| Farce | Similar to burlesque, a farce is a narrative in which the ridiculous characters in the situation are exaggerated and the outcomes of the plot are absurd. It is essentially a comedy. |
| Incongruity | To present things that are out of place or absurd in relation to their surroundings. Particular techniques include oxymoron, metaphor, and irony. |
| Innuendo | An implied remark that disparages another’s reputation. |
| Invective | A direct insult. A longer version of invective is a diatribe (we’d call it a rant.) |
| Knaves and Fools | key elements of farce. |
| Malapropism | Absurd or humorous misuse of a word, especially by confusion with one of similar sound. |
| Oxymoron | Words or phrase used together that present a paradox. |
| Parody | To imitate that techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing, mimicking the techniques and/or style in order to ridicule the original. |
| Reduction | To belittle the satirical target, reducing power or stature. |
| Reversal | To present the opposite of the normal order |
| Understatement | The opposite of exaggeration, understatement does basically the same things. |
