摘自： Toastmasters Magazine. July
The elements of comedic surprise.
Laughter is created when surprises present. To be more specific, laughter is created when there is a comedic element of surprise. A comedic surprise is a test without serious repercussions. A joke structure that works means the audience believes one thing to be true; however, it is revealed that something else is actually true. The involuntary psychological reaction is usually laughter.
The techniques for making a surprise humorous include:
☞ Consciousness
☞ Misdirection
☞ Revealing the punch word or punch phrase at the last possible moment.
In a well-structured joke, it's not only about having a good twist; it's about connecting the setup and punchline in a logical way.
It helps to have a buildup to the twist. Usually, the first line is informative. When misdirection is used, it lulls the audience into having a certain expectation. It can also create tension, which the twist releases.
Writing a joke
When writing a joke, always begin with the truth. Don't try to be funny as your first step. Being funny to early often creates ideas that are overdone, or unbelievable. Start real.
The 4-step joke-writing process
Step 1: Start with a factual, truthful piece of Information.
Step 2: List 10 assumptions. Each assumption can be investigated and questioned until useful alternative meanings can be discovered and formed into jokes.
Step 3: Investigate the assumptions. Look at each assumption and ask questions about it until you find a funny twist.
Step 4: Make the joke concise, provide misdirection and put the punch as close to the end as possible.
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