How to Write Humor

Surprising pairings, such as a turtle on a skateboard, can make people laugh.

"Dilbert" cartoonist Scott Adams says that humor writing goes hand in hand with danger and risk. You'll be putting a part of your personality on the line when you do it. So if you're too cautious, writing humor might not come naturally for you. Nevertheless, the ability to write humor, whether fiction or nonfiction, is a talent that can be sharpened by taking to heart some simple concepts.

Things You'll Need

• The ability to write
• A sense of humor

Instructions

1. Be observant. People find situations that they can relate to funny. This is why so many stand-up comedians begin their jokes with, "Have you ever noticed ...?" or "Why is it that ...?"

2. Remember that humor is pain. It's sad but true that people find humor in the suffering of others. Sure, it can be cruel, but what's funnier: someone walking down the street and tripping over his shoelaces, or someone walking down the street and finding a $20 bill?

3. Accentuate the negative. Again, it's cruel, but it's much easier to find humor in negativity than in positivity. That's the concept behind celebrity "roasts," which would be a lot less funny if they were full of glowing praise.

4. Surprise people. Hearing a funny joke for the eighth time isn't very funny. Be original and creative, avoiding cliches.

5. Exaggerate. Writing about an event from your everyday life, like dog sitting, might not be very funny, but taking care of six dogs while trying to clean the house for a visit from your boss might be.

6. Confuse. Sometimes all it takes to get a laugh is to be weird. Surreal imagery like standing in line at the department of motor vehicles behind a Viking might do the trick.

7. Be specific. Writing "I found a fish in my car" is not as funny as "I found a carp in my Miata."

8. Use funny sounds. Some words just sound funnier than others, like rhubarb.

9. Maintain a comedic structure. Jokes have a set-up and punch line, even if they're all in one sentence. Don't deliver the punch line too early. That's why the classic Henny Youngman gag is "Take my wife ... please" and not "Please take my wife."

10. Rewrite. If what you're writing doesn't sound funny, put it down. Take a nap, take a walk, take a shower (preferably after the walk) and come back to it later when your mind is clear.

11. Write every day, if only for a few minutes. Think of it as exercise for your funny muscle.

12. Read what you find funny, whether it's a screenplay by Woody Allen or Judd Apatow, novels by Douglas Adams or Kurt Vonnegut or essays by Dave Barry or David Sedaris.

Tips & Warnings

• Everyone's sense of humor is different, so don't get discouraged if someone doesn't find what you wrote funny. Stay true to what makes you laugh.

References

• Wall Street Journal; How to Write Like a Cartoonist; Scott Adams

Resources

• Writing Humor: Giving a Comedic Touch to All Forms of Writing; Ian Bernard and Fannie Flagg