News Humans

Here’s what makes satire so funny, according to science

An analysis of The Onion headlines reveals the mechanics of humor writing

robot sitting at desk

HEADLINE HOW-TO A new analysis of the differences between real and joke headlines reveals a how-to formula for aspiring satirists — human and AI alike.

Vasilyev Alexandr/Shutterstock

By Maria Temming

This article is only available to Science News subscribers.

Subscribers, enter your e-mail address to access our archives.

Not a subscriber?

Science News is a nonprofit.

Support us by subscribing now.

More Stories from Science News on Humans

  1. a person fills a needle with COVID-19 vaccine
    Health & Medicine

    People who have had COVID-19 might need only one shot of a coronavirus vaccine

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  2. conservation burial ground for green burials
    Environment

    ‘Green’ burials are slowly gaining ground among environmentalists

    By Rachel Fritts
  3. people playing instruments in a nursing home environment
    Health & Medicine

    A music therapist seeks to tap into long-lost memories

    By Claudia Lopez Lloreda
  4. scientist holding small piece of ancient dog bone
    Archaeology

    An ancient dog fossil helps trace humans’ path into the Americas

    By Anushree Dave
  5. vaccine syringe with Johnson & Johnson logo
    Health & Medicine

    What you need to know about J&J’s newly authorized one-shot COVID-19 vaccine

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  6. worker checking a vaccine shipment
    Health & Medicine

    Global inequity in COVID-19 vaccination is more than a moral problem

    By Jonathan Lambert
  7. Jack Cook recieving his covid-19 vaccine shot in his car
    Health & Medicine

    Can a COVID-19 vaccine’s second dose be delayed? It’s complicated

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  8. a 16-year-old receiving a covid-19 vaccine in Tel Aviv
    Health & Medicine

    COVID-19 vaccines may be ready for teens this summer

    By Aimee Cunningham

From the Nature Index

Paid Content