🐝 Sarcasm in my C2 Proficiency Writing class 🐝

Is sarcasm an innate ability or a skill? I think it's the latter. And it's just one more tool for us to use in writing (if need be).

Today, I gave my students some techniques and asked them to write a sarcastic paragraph about an heirloom they inherited from a member of their family. What they produced is pure beauty.

1️⃣ Viktoria
"The best thing my mom passed down to me is my anxiety disorder. This definitely makes for a better heirloom than any rings or necklaces that other moms give to their daughters."

2️⃣ Olga
"Having an apartment of 40 m2, living there in a family of five and keeping an old gigantic sewing machine, one that nobody uses? That is so smart. Let’s hope one of my grandchildren will be a seamstress."

3️⃣ Darya
"People have always tried to pass down little items to be remembered by future generations. More often than not, these heirlooms are anxiety, eating disorders and a whole bouquet of insecurities (priceless things, aren’t they?) But on rare occasions you might end up with something of great value - an optimistic outlook."

4️⃣ Lena
"Who could have thought that eventually I'll end up with such an impressive heirloom. What was particularly impressive was its uselessness, and it left me with my mouth agape for what felt like an eternity. And here was I, posed with a dilemma - should I pass it down to the next generation, so they'll share my exact sentiment?"

See, sarcasm in writing is nothing but a bunch of techniques.

Disclaimer: While sarcasm is a valid writing tool as it can give your text a certain tone, use it sparingly and don't use it at all if it's not something you actually enjoy. While I can appreciate sarcasm in creative writing, I am one of those people who don't normally appreciate it in real life. 🐝