Learning To Be Funny

By Author: Bryan Brewster
Total Articles: 1
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For some people, being funny can be a bit of a challenge. As a matter of fact, I used to be one of them. When I would try to tell a joke that wasn't made up by someone else, people would look at me with an expression that said, "Would you like... a straight jacket!?!"

Most humor contains an element of surprise. One way to create this is putting things together that don't go together. This could be as simple as something like: "I wanted to go girl hunting tonight, but I ran out of ammo." Words that can have more than one meaning are especially helpful for making or writing jokes.

Some words are inherently funny. Using words like booger, fart, and poop can make people laugh even when you aren't trying to make a joke. If you put them together in ways they shouldn't be. Imagine a comic book superhero called the Amazing Farting Booger.

Most jokes also contain a part that is believable. A comic book superhero is believable. A farting booger isn't. Another example of jokes having a portion that is believable:

The other day my brother was playing with his dog, Duke, when he decided to relieve ...
... himself on the floor. I suppose that could be understandable. It's been years since my brother was potty trained.

Humor often requires a buildup of tension. The story behind the punch line of a joke is as important as the punch line itself. I'm sure you've probably noticed how many jokes use 3 of something. (Three construction workers were.... or A horse, a fish, and a monkey...) Using threes when making jokes is a great way of building the appropriate amount of tension. Twos don't seem to build enough tension, and fours don't seem to build enough.

While being funny can be a bit of a challenge, it is something that can be learned. If it doesn't come naturally, it could take some effort, and a lot of practice. Learning to be funny might be hard work for some of us, but what could be more fun than working hard at being funny?

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About the Author Copyright 2005 Bryan Brewster
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