How to Write a McSweeney’s-Style Piece

Ever read a viral McSweeney's humor or satire piece and thought, "I wish I could write something like that?" Stop wishing and let's do it!

Details

Interested in adding popular humor and satire site McSweeney’s Internet Tendency to your byline list? In this class with satirist, author, and creator of The Second City’s satire program Caitlin Kunkel, you’ll learn how to come up with ideas for a short conceptual humor or satire piece, how to structure a 750-words-or-less form, how to self-edit around heightening, character point of view, and other concepts, and how to submit a polished piece of work. Class time will be devoted to learning new concepts, looking at examples of successful pieces and group brainstorming, and Caitlin will provide feedback on student work prior to the next week’s class. You’ll leave with one polished piece, a plethora of ideas, and a repeatable process for doing it all again when the spirit strikes you.

What you will learn

-The hallmarks of short conceptual humor and satire pieces - The style, voice, and tone of McSweeney's Internet Tendency - How to brainstorm comedic ideas - How to use form to structure a piece - How to create a comedy rubric for your own writing - How to give feedback to other writers in this format - How to submit to humor publications

Workshop takeaways

-A polished conceptual humor or satire piece - Additional ideas workshopped in class - A personal comedy writing rubric - An understanding of the humor and satire writing landscape - Additional resources and connections

What you will be reading

They will read examples of short pieces each week, as well as some of their classmate's work

Additional info

Please be aware that we are a new and growing platform. Some of our workshops have minimum student requirements, so if enough don't sign up, we won't be able to run it. If this happens to a workshop you purchased, don't worry, you will be fully refunded.