Techniques of Humor

Involuntary Humor Physical Verbal Banana peel Fly down Falling down --or up-- the stairs Verbal Slip of the tongue Naïve remarks of children Malapropism "It is wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago..." --Dan Quayle, former Vice President of the U.S.

How does involuntary humor work its way into literature and other professional humor? Professional imitation of involuntary humor The actor / writer is the aggressor, while the character is the victim.

Voluntary Humor Informal Jokes among friends Spontaneous, witty remarks in common situations Ridicule of self and others This is the most common type of humor. A funny comment can put a familiar situation into a new light, indicating a fair degree of competence in humorous creation. This ability, in part, is why we admire those who make us laugh.

Formal Live theater Movies Sit-coms Sketch Comedy Humorous novels, stories, articles etc. Generally the property of professional humorists. Writers Actors Comedians

Techniques of Creating Humor Surprise is a basic constituent of all humor. In each form of humor the audience is led in a certain direction and encouraged to form certain expectations which are then turned upside down. Why did the chicken cross the road? Knock, knock…

Word Play Puns / Double meaning A doctor visits a sick woman and says quietly to the husband, “She doesn’t look good to me.” “You’re telling me,” says the husband. “She hasn’t looked good to me for twenty years.”

Duration Even if the setup of a joke is long, the punch line is quick. We do not usually laugh all the way through a comedy, but only at brief, climactic moments.

Structure of the Joke Setup: This guy sticks his head into a crowded barbershop and asks, "How long before I can get a haircut?"

Development The barber looks around the shop at all the customers and says, "About two hours," and the guy leaves. Every day, the same guy pokes his head in at the busiest time, and every day he’s told there’s a long wait and he leaves. Finally, after about two weeks of this, the barber looks over at a buddy and says, "Bill, why don’t you follow that guy and see where he goes?" In a little while, Bill comes back into the shop, laughing hysterically. "Well?" says the barber. "So where does he go?"

Punch line "To your house."

A Cognitive Model for the Comprehension and Enjoyment of Humor Part Two A Cognitive Model for the Comprehension and Enjoyment of Humor

Preparation Sometimes a little warning before a joke or humorous comment can set the atmosphere. Social Situation When jokes are told among friends, the crowd is ready to laugh, and just about anything can seem funny.

Humorous Image A well known comic or joker can cause people to expect oncoming humor.

Comic Appearance A funny external appearance will cause an audience to expect laughter.

Facial Expression Smiles, laughs, and facial contortions can cause contagious laughter.

Verbal Declaration Any introduction to an approaching joke or humorous tale prepares an audience for humor.

Each of these hint at laughter to come and each can compliment the other. However: The bigger the preparation, the bigger the expectation. If the expectation is too high, the joke can be a letdown.