I think all students should have to wear school uniforms. I mean, it's just so wonderful when everyone looks exactly the same. Individuality is really not all that important; in fact, it must be suppressed whenever possible. If students were allowed to wear their own clothes, who knows what might happen? It would be sheer anarchy, and we must take steps to ensure that order prevails over chaos. Let's mandate the wearing of school uniforms, and let's make those uniforms as ugly and uncomfortable as possible!

Question:

In your own words, tell what makes this passage an example of satire. What sets satire apart from non-satirical writing?

This is satire because it criticizes school uniforms in a mocking, humorous. It suggests that school uniforms do not value individuality, and that uniforms are "ugly and uncomfortable." These words carry a negative connotation and it is clear that the audience is meant to oppose the idea of wearing unfavorable clothes, and by extension, oppose the idea of wearing school uniforms. This creates sarcasm, which contributes to the satirical tone of the passage. Non-satirical writing usually does not mock their subjects, but is usually written in a more literal way where the words written mean what they say, as opposed to sarcasm where the literal words written actually contradict the real intent of the piece of literature.