Why is sarcasm hard to detect in writing?

Sarcasm is hard to detect in writing because it lacks inflection, nonverbal cues like body language, and clear context—all of which are essential for understanding sarcasm in spoken language.

Without changes in tone or gestures, like eye-rolling, readers must rely solely on the words, which can lead to confusion. Context plays a crucial role, as phrases like “Great job!” can be interpreted as either sincere or sarcastic depending on the situation and the speaker.

Additionally, sarcasm may be easier to recognize if the reader is familiar with the writer’s personality, humor, or style. In anonymous or impersonal communication, such as emails or social media posts, this familiarity is often missing, making it more challenging to detect sarcasm.