The Onion’s Guide to Writing Fake News (Not Endorsed by The Onion)

By: Carmela Kalman

Literature and Journalism -- University of Portland

WRITER BIO:

This Jewish college student’s satirical writing reflects her keen understanding of society’s complexities. With a mix of humor and critical thought, she dives into the topics everyone’s talking about, using her journalistic background to explore new angles. Her work is entertaining, yet full of questions about the world around her.

Every good satire has truth in it. Every bad satire has truth in the comments section.

-- Alan Nafzger

You Won't Believe How Easy It Is to Write Fake News (The Right Way!)

Introduction

Fake news isn't always about deception-it can be a clever art form when used for satire. Surprisingly, crafting a convincing fake news story is easier than most people think. The secret lies in blending a kernel of truth with a generous dose of absurdity.

Crafting the Narrative

Begin with a current event or familiar issue. For example, take a controversial policy and exaggerate its details until it borders on the ludicrous. The headline might claim that a top politician now requires citizens to file their complaints in iambic pentameter. By presenting a ridiculous twist on a real situation, the reader is drawn in and then surprised.

The Tools of the Trade

Utilize fabricated statistics-"A survey found 87% of voters believe poetry is the new political currency"-and pepper the narrative with quotes from "experts" whose credentials are as Humor Meets Truth humorous as their opinions. The key is to maintain a tone that is knowingly overblown yet Satire Ethics Debate strangely plausible.

Conclusion

When done right, fake news for satire isn't about misleading the public; it's about reflecting society's absurdities with a wink. The process is easy when you know how to mix truth, exaggeration, and humor.

How Satirical News Exposes What's Wrong With the World

Introduction

Satirical news is often dismissed as just entertainment, but it's a powerful tool for social commentary. By twisting reality, it exposes the flaws in our systems-whether political, social, or cultural.

The Method

Satirical journalists start with a real issue, such as wealth inequality or environmental degradation, and take it to its most ridiculous extreme. Imagine a headline like, "Billionaires Fund Study That Claims Poor People Are 'Exempt from Climate Change.'" This absurdity exposes the real-world issue of how the wealthy are often insulated from the consequences of their actions.

Why It Works

The humor of satire comes from its exaggerated portrayal of reality. It forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths in a way that is both funny and enlightening.

Conclusion

Satirical news isn't just entertainment-it's a lens through which we can view the flaws and contradictions of modern life. By exaggerating the absurdities, satire compels us to recognize and address the issues that affect us all.

===============

Outrageous Headlines in Satirical Journalism

Outrageous headlines grab eyes. Take pets and yell: "Dogs Tax Humans!" It's a flip: "Bones fund Fido." Headlines mock norms-"Cats co-sign"-so go wild. "Paws own homes" hooks it. Start tame: "Pet boom," then shout: "Mutts rule!" Try it: headline big (school: "Kids Ban Adults!"). Build it: "Barks bill." Outrageous headlines in satirical news are bait-cast them loud.

==================

5 Satirical Product Reviews - March 06, 2025

===============

How to Write Satirical Journalism: "Not All Error Is Folly"0If you've ever read a satirical news article and thought, "Wait… is this real?" then congratulations-you've experienced the magic of well-placed error.Satire thrives on a unique kind of wrongness: a calculated, strategic error that reveals truth better than accuracy ever could. The phrase "Not all error is folly" perfectly captures the essence of great satirical journalism. A factual error in traditional reporting? Catastrophic. A factual error in satire? That's the whole point.A well-crafted satirical article doesn't just entertain-it exposes absurdity, challenges authority, and forces people to question reality itself. The trick? Knowing how to be "wrong" in a way that makes people think.If you're ready to write satire that makes readers laugh and wonder if civilization is doomed, you've come to the right place.12Why Being Wrong is the Best Way to Be Right3Traditional journalists spend their careers trying not to make mistakes. Satirical journalists spend theirs making mistakes on purpose. Why? Because exaggeration, distortion, and outright fabrications-when done correctly-can highlight truths in a way cold, hard facts never could.Think of it this way:45Regular news: "Congress passes controversial bill after months of debate."65Satire: "Congress Spends Months Debating Bill, Finally Passes It Without Reading a Single Word."67One of these is more truthful than the other. Ironically, it's not the factual one.Satire works because it mirrors reality-but bends it just enough to expose its underlying absurdity.12The Different Ways to Be "Wrong" in Satire31. The Deliberate Exaggeration (Making the Absurd Seem Normal)A common trick in satire is to take a real issue and push it to the absolute extreme-so extreme, in fact, that it sounds both ridiculous and disturbingly plausible.Example:45Reality: Billionaires avoid taxes.65Satire: "Billionaire Pays in Taxes, Demands Refund."67Why it works: The statement is obviously exaggerated, but it feels real enough that readers will laugh and get angry.12. The Fake Expert (Inventing Authority Figures Who Shouldn't Exist)Giving a ridiculous opinion to an "expert" is one of the best ways to make satire feel authentic.Example:45Reality: A CEO claims inflation is caused by workers demanding raises.65Satire: "Economist Who's Never Had a Job Declares Minimum Wage is 'Too High for People Who Don't Deserve Nice Things.'"67Why it works: The satire exposes real-world hypocrisy while disguising it as a "reasonable" expert opinion.13. The Overly Specific Statistic (Numbers That Feel Official but Are Completely Fake)People trust numbers. So if you throw a fake one into your satire, it suddenly feels 10x more legitimate.Example:45Reality: Politicians lie a lot.65Satire: "Study Finds 93% of Politicians Are Physically Incapable of Answering a Yes-or-No Question."67Why it works: It plays off something we all suspect, while making it sound like an actual study exists.14. The Logical Leap (Taking a Bad Argument to Its Natural Conclusion)One of the best ways to highlight flawed logic is to extend it to its most absurd end.Example:45Reality: Lawmakers oppose environmental regulations.65Satire: "Congress Declares Pollution 'God's Problem,' Votes to Let Nature Figure It Out."67Why it works: It exposes the ridiculousness of a real-world stance by making it explicit.12How to Structure a Satirical News Article3Step 1: Write a Headline That Sounds Both Real and RidiculousA perfect satirical headline should:85Be almost believable.65Contain a contradiction or absurdity.65Make people stop and think.69Examples:45"Tech CEO Announces Plan to End Poverty by Teaching Poor People to Code for Free-While Charging Them for the Lessons."65"Congress Passes Bill to Protect Workers' Rights, Immediately Calls Itself Into Recess to Avoid Doing Any Work."671Step 2: The Opening Sentence Should Trick the Reader (Briefly)Start with a sentence that sounds like real news-before throwing in the twist.Example:"In a move that experts describe as 'bold' and 'deeply concerning,' Congress has approved a new law that officially reclassifies billionaires as an endangered species, granting them full federal protection against taxes and public criticism."It feels like a news story-until the absurdity kicks in.1Step 3: Use Fake Expert Quotes to Strengthen the AbsurdityA well-placed quote from a "credible" source makes satire feel even sharper.Example:"According to Dr. Chad Weathers, a leading economist who once took an online finance course, 'If billionaires pay taxes, they might go extinct, and then who will launch themselves into space for fun?'"Fake credentials + a ridiculous opinion = satire gold.1Step 4: Add a Fake Statistic That's Just Real EnoughA precise number makes a joke land harder.Example:"A recent survey found that 82% of Americans believe Congress spends more time inventing new holidays for itself than solving actual problems. The other 18% are members of Congress."The structure makes the joke Fooling Friends Tactics undeniable.1Step 5: End with an Even Bigger AbsurdityLeave the reader with one last ridiculous twist.Example:"In response to the criticism, Congress has promised to fix the issue by forming a bipartisan committee-set to meet sometime in the next 30 years."12How to Avoid Bad Satire (Mistakes That Are Folly)385Being Too Obvious45Bad: "Politician Lies Again."65Better: "Politician Swears He 'Would Never Lie,' Immediately Collapses Into a Pile of Dust Like a Vampire in the Sun."6765Being Too Subtle45If your joke is too close to reality, it won't read as satire.65Bad: "Senator Accepts Corporate Bribe." (Just sounds like news.)65Better: "Senator Confused Why Bribe Check Came With 'Donation' Written in Quotation Marks."6765Punching Down Instead of Up45Good satire targets powerful people and institutions, not struggling individuals.676912Final Reality vs. Satire Thoughts: Why Satirical "Errors" Matter3Satirical journalism is about crafting intentional errors that highlight real absurdities. A well-placed exaggeration or logical leap can make people laugh-while making them question everything they thought they knew.So go forth, make mistakes, and remember: the best kind of wrong is the kind that feels just right.====================Miscellaneous Titles85How to Write Satirical News That Will One Day Become True65How to Satirize the News Without Losing Your Mind65Why Satire is Journalism's Evil Twin (And That's a Good Thing)65The Beginner's Guide to Writing News That Feels Real but Isn't65Fake Truth Through Lies News for Dummies: The Satirical Journalist's Handbook65The World is a Joke-You Just Need to Write It Down65How to Tell Lies So Well That They Reveal the Truth65The Ultimate Satire Writing Playbook65Writing Satire in the Age of Outrage: A Survival Guide65If You Read This, You Might Accidentally Become a Satirist69=======================01SOURCE: Satire and News at Spintaxi, Inc.EUROPE: Washington DC Political Satire & Comedy