TYPES OF HUMOR MRS. BURHENN

HUMOR While humor has meant several different things in its existence, we use to to mean a type of writing that's purpose is to induce laughter.

HUMOR CONTINUED Humor uses observation of human nature to discover what we all have in common. It appeals to anyone who is sympathetic.

WIT Wit used to mean 'knowledge' and was used to signify 'intellect'. The word still holds a bit of its old meaning. For instance, when we call someone a 'halfwit' or a 'witless wonder', we are implying that they have no intelligence.

WIT CONTINUED To say something is witty now means to use words in a clever manner to make something funny. This usually results in plays on words, double entendres, and clever puns. The audience for wit is the intelligent.

SATIRE Satire blends a censorious attitude with humor and wit to improve the human condition. Satire will attack society (not one person) and it’s audience is the “self- satisfied”. The most important thing about satire is it’s purpose.

VERBAL IRONY Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the actual intent is expressed in words that carry the opposite meaning. This is often associated or confused with sarcasm. The difference is that sarcasm’s purpose is to hurt, whereas verbal irony’s purpose is not.

SARCASM Sarcasm is much like irony in that the intended meaning is conveyed with words that mean the opposite and a hurtful or bitter tone. The biggest difference is the purpose.

SARDONIC Being sardonic means to use misfortune in a pessimistic way to make yourself feel better.

INVECTIVE Invective writing uses harsh, abusive language aimed at a person or cause in an effort to discredit them for some misconduct.

CYNICISM Cynicism is the doubt of the generally accepted standards or innate goodness of human action.

What Is It? “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” HUMOR

What Is It? “Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it.” SATIRE

What Is It? “Be respectful to your superiors, if you have any.” WIT

What Is It? “Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economize it.” WIT

Advice for Good Little Girls Good little girls ought not to make mouths at their teachers for every trifling offense. This retaliation should only be resorted to under peculiarly aggravated circumstances.

If you have nothing but a rag-doll stuffed with sawdust, while one of your more fortunate little playmates has a costly China one, you should treat her with a show of kindness nevertheless. And you ought not to attempt to make a forcible swap with her unless your conscience would justify you in it, and you know you are able to do it.

If at any time you find it necessary to correct your brother, do not correct him with mud — never, on any account, throw mud at him, because it will spoil his clothes. It is better to scald him a little, for then you obtain desirable results. You secure his immediate attention to the lessons you are inculcating, and at the same time your hot water will have a tendency to move impurities from his person, and possibly the skin, in spots.

If your mother tells you to do a thing, it is wrong to reply that you won’t. It is better and more becoming to intimate that you will do as she bids you, and then afterward act quietly in the matter according to the dictates of your best judgment.

Good little girls always show marked deference for the aged Good little girls always show marked deference for the aged. You ought never to ‘sass’ old people unless they ‘sass’ you first.