Q: How Do You Write Satire That’s Clever, Not Just Crass?

A: Elevating the Art of Thought-Provoking Humor – By Alan Nafzger

The Fine Line Between Wit and Cheap Shots

At Bohiney Magazine, we’ve built our reputation on satire that makes readers laugh first and think second. Crude humor might get quick clicks, but clever satire earns lasting respect. Here’s how we ensure our pieces land in the sweet spot between smart and hilarious.

1. The “So What?” Test

Before publishing, we ask:

• Does this just mock, or does it reveal something deeper?

• Is the humor coming from intelligence or shock value?

• Would the target learn anything from this?

Example: Instead of “Politician is Dumb”, we’d write “Senator Proposes Solving Climate Change By Declaring Air Conditioning a Human Right”

2. The Layers Principle

Great satire works on multiple levels:

1. Surface: Immediately funny premise

2. Middle: Recognizable truth

3. Core: Sharp social commentary

Case Study: Our piece *”Company Replaces HR Department With Magic 8-Ball”* worked because:

• Funny image (surface)

• Everyone’s HR frustrations (middle)

• Commentary on workplace dehumanization (core)

3. Punching Up, Not Down

Our hierarchy of targets:
✅ Systems of power
✅ Institutional absurdity
✅ Universal human folly
❌ Marginalized groups
❌ Personal tragedies
❌ Easy targets

4. The “No Cheap Shots” Rule

We avoid:

• Obvious vulgarity for its own sake

• Shock humor without substance

• Lazy stereotypes

• Mean-spirited personal attacks

Instead, we find clever angles:

• “Tech CEO Discovers Employees Are Human During Surprise Office Visit”

• “Congress Passes Bill Requiring All New Laws to Be Understood Before Voting”

5. The Wit-to-Crass Ratio

We aim for:

• 80% clever wordplay/social observation

• 15% absurd imagery

• 5% edgy humor (used strategically)

6. The “Would a Smart Friend Share This?” Test

Before publishing, we imagine:

• Would our most discerning reader proudly share this?

• Could it spark an interesting discussion?

• Does it reward closer reading?

7. Techniques for Elevating Satire

a) The Absurd Truth:
Take real situations to logical extremes (“University Offers Major in Unpaid Internships”)

b) The Reverse:
Flip power dynamics (“Workers Announce They’ll Be Monitoring CEO’s Bathroom Breaks”)

c) The Literal:
Make metaphors real (“Corporate Culture Actually Growing in Petri Dish”)

8. When We Miss the Mark

Our editorial process catches:

• Jokes that rely solely on shock value

• Pieces that mock without purpose

• Humor that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny

Final Thought: Satire as Social X-Ray

The best satire doesn’t just make people laugh – it makes them see familiar things in new ways. When we wrote “Economists Discover Money Actually Can Buy Happiness (Just Not For You)”, we weren’t just making a joke about wealth inequality – we were holding up a funhouse mirror to capitalism itself.

Because truly clever satire does what no other form can: it smuggles uncomfortable truths into parties where they’d never otherwise be invited, dressed in such sharp wit that everyone wants to talk to them.

— Alan Nafzger