Learn to write satirical prose
that actually lands
A structured program for anyone who wants to write satire with purpose and precision. We work through technique, voice, timing, and revision with examples from contemporary writers and concrete assignments that test your approach.
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What you'll work through
Foundation
We start by examining what makes satire work beyond cheap mockery. You'll analyze pieces that succeed because they understand their subject deeply enough to skewer it with precision. The goal is recognizing the difference between a joke and commentary that sticks.
Through close reading and deconstruction, you'll identify how satirists choose targets, construct arguments through humor, and balance entertainment with critique. The assignments push you to articulate what you're attacking and why it matters.
- Breaking down effective satirical pieces from the last decade
- Identifying core techniques: exaggeration, irony, parody, understatement
- Understanding the relationship between subject knowledge and effective satire
- Writing short exercises targeting specific cultural phenomena
Voice & Style
Your satirical voice needs to feel deliberate, not accidental. We work on developing a consistent tone that serves your material rather than undermining it. You'll experiment with different personas and approaches to see what feels authentic to your perspective.
This module focuses on controlling register, managing reader expectations, and establishing credibility even while being absurd. The exercises involve rewriting the same critique in multiple voices to understand how tone shapes reception.
- Establishing a satirical persona that readers can follow
- Balancing absurdity with clarity
- Managing tone shifts without losing coherence
- Analyzing voice consistency in established satirical writers
Structure
Satire needs architecture. A loose collection of jokes collapses; a piece with structure builds momentum and lands its critique. You'll learn how to organize satirical arguments so each section intensifies the previous one.
We examine structural models from different eras and formats, then apply those frameworks to contemporary subjects. The assignments require you to outline before drafting, forcing attention to how information is sequenced and how punchlines are positioned.
- Building satirical narratives with escalating absurdity
- Using structure to control pacing and impact
- Positioning your strongest material for maximum effect
- Adapting structural approaches to different formats and lengths
Revision
First drafts of satire are almost always too clever, too mean, or too vague. Revision is where you figure out what you're actually saying and cut everything that obscures it. This module is about disciplined editing that makes your critique sharper.
Through workshop feedback and self-editing exercises, you'll learn to identify where your piece loses focus, where jokes undermine your argument, and where you need more substance. The process is iterative and often involves rewriting from scratch.
- Recognizing when cleverness defeats clarity
- Cutting material that doesn't serve the central critique
- Strengthening weak sections without losing momentum
- Incorporating feedback while maintaining your voice
How the program runs
This isn't a lecture series. Each week involves reading assignments, writing exercises, and workshop sessions where we dissect what's working and what isn't. The pace is consistent — expect to write weekly and revise frequently based on feedback from instructors and peers.
Weekly assignments
You'll receive a prompt or reading assignment every Monday. These range from analyzing existing satirical pieces to writing short exercises targeting specific techniques. Deadlines are firm because workshop depends on everyone submitting on time.
Live workshop sessions
We meet twice weekly online to discuss submitted work. Sessions last 90 minutes and focus on constructive critique — identifying what's effective, what's confusing, and where the satire loses its edge. Participation matters.
Revision cycles
Major pieces go through multiple revision rounds. You'll submit drafts, receive detailed feedback, and rework the material before final submission. The goal is teaching you to self-edit with the same rigor we apply during workshops.
Reading discussions
We assign contemporary satirical writing each week — essays, short pieces, excerpts from longer works. Discussion focuses on technique, not opinion. What choices did the writer make? Where does the structure succeed or fail?
Final project
The program ends with a longer satirical piece that demonstrates your accumulated skills. You'll pitch your idea, outline the structure, submit a draft, revise based on feedback, and produce a polished final version that reflects genuine growth.
Ongoing access
After completing the program, you retain access to all materials, recordings, and the community forum. Many participants continue workshopping their satirical writing with alumni long after the structured program ends.
Kasper Ødegaard
Lead Instructor
Satirical essayist and editor with fifteen years writing cultural critique for publications across Europe and North America.
Who's teaching this
Kasper has been writing satire professionally since 2009, covering everything from tech industry absurdities to political theater. His work has appeared in major outlets, but more importantly, he's spent years teaching writers how to sharpen their critiques without sacrificing humor or clarity.
His approach is direct. He'll tell you when a piece isn't working and explain exactly why — whether it's structural problems, tonal inconsistency, or a lack of understanding about the subject you're satirizing. The feedback is blunt but useful, focused on making your writing stronger rather than protecting your feelings.
"Most satire fails because the writer doesn't know their subject well enough to mock it intelligently. You can't effectively satirize something you only half-understand. Depth of knowledge is what separates clever satire from lazy snark."
Beyond his own writing, Kasper has edited satirical content for various publications and mentored dozens of writers developing their voices. He knows what works in contemporary satire because he's been watching it evolve and participating in that evolution for over a decade.
The program reflects his teaching philosophy: satire requires both craft and courage. You need technical skill to construct effective pieces, and you need clarity about what you're critiquing and why. He'll push you on both fronts.
Ready to write satire that matters?
The program runs for twelve weeks with two cohorts per year. Each cohort is limited to eighteen participants to ensure everyone gets meaningful feedback during workshops. Next session starts in early 2025.
You'll need to commit roughly eight hours per week: two workshop sessions, reading assignments, and your own writing time. This isn't passive learning — you'll write constantly and receive detailed critique on every major piece.
- Twelve weeks of structured instruction and workshop feedback
- Direct access to an experienced satirical writer and editor
- Small cohort size ensuring personalized attention
- Lifetime access to all materials and community resources