Digital Satire
From RhetorClick
Contents |
Satire, Digital media, and Rhetoric
Rhetoric
Aristotle taught that rhetoric is the art of persuasion. Rhetoric consists of the various persuasive methods used in an effort to make an effective argument. A persuasive argument has its roots in rhetorical devices. These may or may not be fact based, and can employ humorous ridicule, hyperbole, or sarcasm. One method of persuasion in which these are often found is the rhetoric of satire.
Satire
Satire is often accredited with acting as a literary genre or form. It can also be found in graphic and entertaining arts such as magazine articles and theatrical performances. In satire shortcomings are held up to ridicule for not being in harmony with accepted norms. Ideally the intent of using satire is to improve society through constructive criticism, however this can often be abused and for that reason much of satire is viewed as merely ridicule. Yet, although it is meant to be funny, satire has profound capabilities in improving social deficits.
