Question

Using satire or sarcasm on internet forums may cause people to misunderstand you and think you are serious; also, they may _____ you and slander you.

1) praise
2) mock
3) ignore
4) support

Answer 1

Using satire on forums can lead to misinterpretation where people might mock you instead of understanding the intended critique. Effective satire requires skill to convey a message subtly in a credible, effortless manner.

Step-by-step explanation:

Using satire or sarcasm on internet forums may indeed lead to misunderstandings, as your intentions may not be clear to everyone. When you employ satire, people might misinterpret your true message and think you are serious; also, they may mock you and slander you. It’s important to understand that satire, when used effectively, is a powerful tool to reveal societal flaws and provoke thought. However, the intricacy of satire is such that it requires skill to execute without overexposing your critique or losing your audience. When writing satire, one should aim to present it in a natural, effortless style, retaining a credible context, so as not to distort the message intended for the reader.

Answer 2

The correct completion of the sentence is 'they may mock you and slander you.' Online satire can be misread, leading to negative reactions like mockery or vilification, because it lacks the nuanced cues present in face-to-face interactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Using satire or sarcasm on internet forums may cause people to misunderstand you and think you are serious; also, they may mock you and slander you. Satire is a literary technique that employs humor, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose human follies or vices. The correct completion of the sentence is 'they may mock you and slander you.' When satire is used online without the nuanced cues of voice or facial expressions, it can be easily misinterpreted, leading to unintended reactions such as being mocked.

A well-crafted satire creates just enough distance to allow the audience to recognize the folly being depicted without overtly stating the critique. However, online communications can strip the subtlety from satire, making it harder to discern the writer's real intentions. Hence, being sarcastic or satirical on the internet should be approached with caution to avoid misrepresentation and potential vilification.