Four Steps to Writing Political Satire

As written in a previous article, political satire is important for explaining and reinforcing ones views on a situation to a broader audience. Although many times a book may seem too controversial and not get published those that do can encourage the audience to think about life in a very different manner. There are many steps to creating one of these books that do get published, however it is much more of a risk to write something controversial and then publish it online via a personal blog or website. Below there are four steps to writing political satire:

Step One: Identify the Issue

With many people writing that the country of the United States of America is “doomed to fail” due to the rising debt and rising unemployment, there are also many other issues that are on the board that people may feel the urge to write about such as abortion, gay rights, immigration, the environment, and who should get a tax break. Since it would be nearly impossible, or at least impossible to do in a book under eight hundred words, to tackle all the problems that a certain or even both candidates have brought forwards, an effective story might take one or two of these issues and write about it. Therefore to select the issue is the most important thing.

Step Two: Decide On One’s Complete Stance

Once a person has found their issue they must decide what their views are about this and going into a deeper thought pattern than does one agree or disagree? Although this is of course the starting question one must ask themselves more and try to consider the issue from all sides. What other alternatives are there? What would happen to that side given this was to happen? What kind of change will this make in the future for everyone? When finally ones ideas are written to at least a full one or two pages of brainstorming it is time to move onto step three.

Step Three: Devise Satirical Content

Devising satirical content is going to be the hardest part of this writing experience. One must hide their feelings by using plots and characters that are not what they appear to be. For instance, having a group of mice and rats disagreeing over whether the rising population is going to be a detrement to them by alerting humans and taking resources which would both endanger them, or whether it is not right to take away life when so many creatures have a “right” to be born under the floorboards. In this example the mice and rats are on a much lower level than a human but are symbolic of the liberal and conservative parties and may be discussing either abortion or even, when looked at from a different angle, immigration policies. The writer must find their own symbols to create a world where their opinion is heard without losing the satire of it all.

Step Four: Write

Although plans for this have definitely been made during step three, the most important step is to write because only through writing can a thought become a work of fiction. One must work creatively and keep in the front of their minds at all times what they are trying to say. The satire will make this different from nonfiction and will enable comedy over a non-comical event. However it is important that one writes and then at least attempts to publish the material so that the thoughts may leave an impression upon the readers.

These are four steps to creating political satire, something that is extremely relevant during election years and even more important when trying to advocate change and equality in a country and society.

Linda Merrill is avid writer and responsible for content writing at AceWriters.org service. Professional cookie eater =)