How to write a joke.

Writing your own original jokes is essential to comedy and becoming a comedian, humorist or a hobbyist 'funny' person.
The best jokes come from real situations. The secret is...

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper
• Tape Recorder

1. When something funny happens, write it down! Write key words or key phases. Leave yourself a message on your cell phone!

2. Do not put too many extraneous details in the joke (i.e. describing the grass or a dress that does not support the punchline)
   Jokes should get to the point, with only the necessary details.

3. Think:
   Premise,
   Set-Up,
   Punchline.
   In other words, 'keep it tight.' You do not want to be 'too wordy' in your set-up, the audience will want you to 'get to the point.'

4. Premise: Marriage
   
   Set-up: "Even though I'm married...
   
   Punchline: I'm still against domestic violence!
   
   Tag: Unless...the woman does it!
   Then, I think of it as...affirmative action."
   
   Everything should build towards your punchline.

5. Tags are jokes or quickies you add to the main joke to keep the laughs coming!
   Always try to think of tags for your best joke(s) to extend them. You will see stand up comedians do tags in their performances. Look and learn.
   The tagging method can make one joke last for 5 minutes, 10 minutes or longer!

Tips & Warnings

• Remember premise, set-up, punchline.
• Try to think of tags to extend your best joke(s).
• Be concise
• Do not be too wordy in building your joke(s)
• Look at comedians perform live or on television and try to determine the premise, set-up and punchline formula.
• Always remain true to your POV (point of view) what you find funny!

[davida8575]

on 7/11/2009 Good ideas. You included a few things I forgot to include in my joke writing article. Please check out my article about writing jokes and my other article on how to remember jokes.

[mikepasquale]

on 8/21/2008 Good POV!

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 8/2/2008 funny tips. I like it.