Title: Social Communication | Sarcasm
Headings: 
Features of Sarcasm
Sarcastic Tone of Voice
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Sarcastic Facial Expressions, Eye Rolls, and Postures
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Hyperbole in Sarcasm
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Sarcasm in Writing
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Polite (!) Uses of Sarcasm
More Aggressive Uses of Sarcasm
Using Sarcasm in an Argument
Using Sarcasm to Insult
Using Sarcasm to Establish Power Differences
Particular Phrases
Responding to Sarcasm
If you’re not sure whether or not a speaker is being sarcastic….
If the sarcasm is self-directed…
If the sarcasm expresses frustration with a situation
If the sarcasm is directed towards you
Exercises
Scholarly Sources
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Recommended Reading
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Content: Uses of Sarcasm
Sarcasm can be amusing. As with any form of humor, speakers may use this as a way of underlining solidarity with the people they’re speaking to (a positive politeness strategy). The message this sends is “you know me well enough to know I don’t really believe these words (so we’re both reminded that we’re close), I believe we share a similar sense of humor (so we’re alike), and I wish to amuse you (so you know I care about you).” It may just be a quick, muttered “yeah, right” (to mean “not at all”) – but look at all the positive social messages that can be packed into those two words! If a sarcastic comment appears to express frustration with a situation rather than with you, personally, it is likely intended to be friendly: the speaker expects you to share their frustration with the situation, and this “shared gripe” is common ground, showing that you’re in this situation together. It is a risky strategy to be sarcastic with someone you don’t know well, as it can be misinterpreted as hostile. Once you have established a habit of being sarcastic-in-a-friendly-way with a particular friend, however, using sarcasm with that person underlines the specialness of your relationship. In those cases, even sarcasm that might seem hostile to an outside observer may be interpreted within the relationship as friendly teasing. More Aggressive Uses of Sarcasm
Sarcasm frequently expresses frustration on the part of the speaker, and it can be used to actually aggravate rather than minimize face-threats.