What is Satire?

Picture
By definition, satire is a literary genre or form.  Different vices, follies, abuses, and jeerings are ridiculed with the hope to shame an individual.  Satire is meant to by funny, but it can be hurtful.  The two most common factors of Satire are irony and sarcasm.  Parody, burlesque, exaggeration, juxtaposition, comparison, analogy, and double entendre are also used.  Some examples of satirical humor today are musical parodies such as the works of Weird Al Yankovic, Venetian Princess, (See Music), and other Youtube users.  SNL is also a very popular example of satire through it's sketches and skits imitating aspects of today's pop culture.  

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTC4qkb8Ppkweeblylink_new_window
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUxXKfQkswEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yi7KvIZtRg&playnext=1&list=PLC8CAB1A044437333http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlqVLEWB0_w