What Makes A Good Parody

[Zephyer]

I have to write a parody for a university course - what makes a good parody in your opinion?

[Clanad]

The more pretentious, self-servine and/or hypocritical a work is, the more it lends itself to parody... Here's an excellent example of a research parody.
http://improb.com/airchives/paperair/volume1/v 1i3/air-1-3-apples.html
Most good parodies have a modicum of humor, although that need not be the ultimate goal. Some of the most famous parodies (especially the many parodies of writings of William Shakespeare) are biting, with little noticeable humor, but making the author's point, nonetheless...
I would add that there's a fine but deffinitive line between a good parody and satire, which serves a different purpose...

[Clanad]

Addendum: I especially liked both of these as well...
http://improb.com/airchives/paperair/volume2/v 2i5/howto.htm

http://improb.com/airchives/paperair/volume4/v 4i4/chicken.htm

Good luck!

[fairkatrina]

Try and make the tone completely serious, and the subject completely outrageous (see Swift's "A Modest Proposal") for example. Or take a well-known genre / story / character and subvert it, e.g. make James Bond gay.

[dilf]

jesus was a time lord using modern medicines and gadgetsto enact the miracles of christ and getting himself a bit of a reputation

[Zephyer]

Thanks for your help and contributions!