Satirical Skit Assignment-Summer '25

Svab - Satire - Summer 2025

Satirical Scene Assignment

Inspired by Aristophanes, Mark Twain, and the examples we’ve watched and read in class, your task is to write the script for a theatrical scene/skit/sketch that somehow satirizes romantic relations. You can work by yourself or with ONE partner. You have much leeway as to how to create and develop this skit. The goal is to create a skit that satirizes romantic relations, whether they be among teens like yourselves, adults, married couples, the dating scene, etc. You can play upon gender and marriage stereotypes, use banter and witty insults, and target love, marriage, dating, etc. Think about this being like something you would see on Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, Monty Python, or any other sketch comedy show.

Think about all of the silly skits we’ve acted/read/watched, and think about all of the humor you’ve encountered in real-life relationships—grandma and grandpa bickering (or mom and dad), couples arguing over stupid things, getting mad at each other for no reason, first dates,... there are many possibilities.

Guidelines

Keep it rated PGish/PG-13ish - avoid any language you wouldn’t hear on network television. Innuendo and double entendre are always funnier anyway.
Aim for about four-five minutes’ length (when performed/spoken aloud), but keep in mind that quality and humor are more important than quantity.
You’re writing a script; you don’t have to perform this (unless you want to).
I suggest only having a small number of characters—keeps it simpler.
Work on incorporating some of what we’ve discussed: innuendo, puns, banter, irony, absurdity, etc.
Begin with an idea before you write any specific dialogue. You should have an idea before you start jotting down lines. What’s the setting? Who’s involved? What’s the basic structure? Choose a setting and context first: first date, or man and wife at home, or two Middle Schoolers discussing their crushes, etc.
Avoid blatant gender stereotyping. If you’re using gender stereotypes (women are ditzy shopaholics, and men are slovenly idiots), be equally offensive to both sides. Don’t go for the tired/easy/lame/overused/cliché joke!
Have fun with this!

Use a basic script format. Set the scene with some narration/exposition/stage directions, and then alternate dialogue.

Example:

The setting is the Collegiate cafeteria. Two students sit alone at a table in the empty dining hall. It is a morning free period - the room is fairly quiet.

Bob: Dude. You didn’t text me last night.

Fred: Dude, I so did.

Proofread always! Dialogue can be written in vernacular, but you still need punctuation. Example:

Bob: Fred, I’m gonna’ kill you!

Fred: You’re crazy! I didn’t do anything, bro!

Note the way “gonna’ ” is spelled, with an apostrophe, and there are commas to emphasize pauses and exclamation points to emphasize how a line should be read.

This assignment is worth 60 points. The scene will be graded for quality, humor, and satire - the same grade will go to both partners in a team of two. Only one person in a duo needs to submit it on Schoology, but make sure to put both authors’ names at the top.

Past Student Examples (the first two are a bit too short, but funny):