How to be Funny
Whether you’re a writer, teacher, politician or mortician, this three-part series will help you be wittier. In the previous post, we learned that a funny story begins with a crisis. Now we’ll talk about how to build on that crisis so your story will RISE like a veritable flood of funniness! (Yes, I realize that’s a really cheesy statement.)
Ridicule – There may be no more basic form of humor than ridicule. We all do it. Wives make fun of their husbands. Employees lampoon their bosses. Kids mock their parents. Ridicule is directed at what others are proud of: authority, self-image, dignity, expertise.
- I had an epically pompous literature class professor. Once he’d made a pronouncement, no other view was valid. The class was aching to see him taken down. One day he proclaimed, “All books titled after a character are named for their protagonist (hero).” He rattled off examples: “Huckleberry Finn, Anna Karenina, Don Quixote…” Then the class anarchist Stuart quietly muttered, “Moby Dick.” And the class cheered.
- Ridicule yourself. You’re the person it’s safest to make fun of. Plus, self-mockery buys you the right to make fun of others (and besides, you probably deserve it).
Inappropriateness – Inappropriate behavior has always been a comic staple. Shakespeare relished it, and it’s big in modern entertainment, too.
- On The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon displayed shocking disrespect for scientist Stephen L. Hawking’s disabilities. What made it work were Hawking’s hilariously rude responses.
- A comedian I saw referenced a news story about a man who was bitten by his pet cobra. Insensitively imitating the snake owner, the comedian admonished, “No! Bad cobra!” making a teaching moment out of his last seconds on earth. Dark. But funny.
Surprise – Identify the funniest thing in your story and save it for last. And don’t “telegraph” the ending–that is, don’t tip off your reader/audience in advance. The biggest laughs come from two s’s, actually: Set-up and Surprise.
- Read a funny writer like Dave Barry or watch a good stand-up comedian and you’ll see this one-two punch at work.
- My 2 1/2-year-old daughter had reached the stage where she was ready to use the potty-training seat all by herself! “Squeak, click,” went the bathroom door. A moment later, there was a blood-curdling scream. I turned into SuperDad and flew to the loo. “What’s wrong, honey?” I was answered by a plaintive cry of despair. Bam! I kicked the door open and tumbled into the bathroom where Beth stood cradling her finger. I grabbed it and kissed it all over. “Ohhh, what happened honey?” With tears in her eyes, she said, “I got poo-poo on it.” Set-up and Surprise.
Exaggeration – Remember, humor is about truth, and exaggeration is the most fundamental way to emphasize truth. How? By holding a magnifying glass up to how people feel.
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- A high school friend and I argued constantly. One day we argued all the way through Gym class, in the showers, and back to our lockers. We tossed our towels in the bin and walked out onto campus, arguing–until we heard laughter. We looked around. People were laughing at us. Why? We looked down…and discovered we’d left the gym naked. When I tell the story, I say, “Two million people were laughing at us—on a campus of eight hundred,” because that’s how it felt.
Humor is truth.
Your examples certainly had me laughing. These posts have been so goodl
Aw, thank you, Lynn!
Life can be hard, but let’s not dwell on the hard things like they were the worst experiences, let’s find the humor and grow for the best.
I agree, Pete. Btw, a lot of comedians had troubled childhoods or young adult lives, and comedy became their way of coping.
It would seem rational to share their pain to be able to heal, is almost like confession, God for the soul.
Good for the soul
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Those were great examples. I loved the Moby Dick story.
Thanks, Thomas.
My dad was a great storyteller. One of his tips (which you use all the time) is to save the most important word of the punch line until last, or as near the end as possible. Like the story of your daughter. (Couldn’t bring myself to type the key word! 😁)
;>) So storytelling is in your genes. I’m not surprised, Nancy!
Aw, thanks Mitch!
Story is what most want to hear here. Well Said
Thank you, Zuhaib.
Great post, laughter can be great medicine, thanks
My pleasure, L.G.
Your final statement “Humor is truth” is spot on. There’s nothing funnier than real life. 🙂
I have loved these posts! Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure, Lisa!
great article 😍❤️
Haha we all need a good laugh in life, great post.
Thank you! (I seem to have forgotten your name, my friend.)
It’s Colin 😊
Got it. Thanks, Colin.
Well said. I often interject humor in dark or serious places in my writing. Sometimes, you need to lighten the mood.
Ha ha. I enjoyed reading this one.😆😆
These are some important tips. I saved the post for later.
“We looked around. People were laughing at us. Why? We looked down…and discovered we’d left the gym naked.”😆❤️
So glad you enjoyed it, Loku.
I am going back to the silent movie era. What made Charlie Chaplain humorous without words is a good way to start being funny.
Great tips, Mitch! Love Dave Barry, he is so funny. Did you ever read his account of how Congress develops and approves a budget… the drums… the sacred budget dance… etc? 😂🤣
I haven’t, but I’m sure it’s hilarious, Darryl.
Good tips! Easy to remember. 👍
I agree with your point about saving the most important part of that story for last. I always enjoyed Paul Harvey. He was the master at telling “the Rest of the Story.”
Good old Paul Harvey. His show got me through some long night drives back in the day, Annie.
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L’umorismo è verità”!!! E’ perfetto lo impariamo dalla vita quante cose incredibili e vere alla fine riescono a farci ridere, grazie del tuo articolo, Un saluto 🐈🌹
LOL and grossed out! Mitch, your stories are like no other and it’s awesome that you share them! I’m still laughing about your bird fights, hilarious memes, and you never cease in Rising to the occasion!!! 😀
;>) Thank you, my friend (I’m afraid I still don’t know your name)!
Siri ~ <3
Ah, good to know. Thanks, Siri.
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