How to Be Witty

Everyone wants to be able to fire off one-liners and snappy retorts. People like Groucho Marx, W.C. Fields, and Oscar Wilde have been immortalized by their clever quips and witticisms. Having witty remarks gives you a chance to showcase your intelligence, your cleverness, and just how much fun you can be. Whether you're witty or not, this guide will help you increase your Wit!

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time
• Practice
• Films and Books

1. The first step to learning how to be witty is that you must observe Wit. For this, view old Marx Brothers films, W.C. Fields films, or any movie where you yourself felt there was an ample display of wit. Find the scripts of the films if the jokes are flying by too fast for you to catch. "She got her good looks from her father. He's a plastic surgeon." - Groucho Marx

2. Read books of witty writers. Oscar Wilde and Ambrose Bierce are infamous for their wit. There are also collections of quotes and witticisms in any public library or bookstore. Read up!
   
   By reading books and watching films, you're adding to your arsenal of wit and jokes to use.
   
   "Missionaries are going to reform the world whether it wants to or not." -- Oscar Wilde

3. Practice! This is perhaps the hardest step, as now you have to engage people in witty conversation. Don't feel bad if you don't automatically come off as a cunning linguist, that takes time. Engage your friends in conversation. If your friends are a bore, make new ones! It's okay to be punny, to a degree. Don't push it too far. Keep an eye on your audience.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice, Practice, Practice!
• Don't get discouraged by failures. Think about what you would or should have said and use it next time!

[kjv4thee]

on 12/9/2007 When I tried a PUN people always told me that it was only two thirds of a pun. PU