Satire

Satire, as it's traditionally understood, is the ridicule of some vice or imperfection — an attack on someone or something by making it look ridiculous or worthy of scorn.

Although satire is usually funny, it differs from comedy in at least one important way: whereas comic laughter needn't be directed at any particular target, satire is always derisive.

Satire, most of the accounts say, began as simple invective. ??? Satire is not the same thing as parody, although satire can use parody as a technique.

From the Guide to Literary Terms by Jack Lynch.
Please send comments to Jack Lynch.

Note: This guide is still in the early stages of development.
Three question marks mean I have to write more on the subject. Bear with me.