How to Write Funny

1. Surprise is the essence of humor

There are other things that are helpful to have in humor, like relatability, truth, timing, tragedy, or the breaking of taboos. But humor can still exist without those things. Humor cannot exist without surprise.

Surprise fuels laughter. While elements like relatability and timing enhance humor, surprise is the one essential ingredient. Even predictable jokes must unfold in a surprising way to elicit laughter. The key to writing humor is finding ways to consistently surprise your audience.

Cultivate the unexpected. To create surprise, challenge common assumptions, combine unrelated ideas, or take familiar concepts to extreme conclusions. Train yourself to see the world from unconventional angles. The more you can subvert expectations in clever ways, the funnier your writing will become.

2. Subtext elevates humor from good to great

Subtext in humor writing is usually a value judgment or opinion held by the writer. In the good Satirical writing, that Subtext is universal, something that just about anyone can relate to.

Hidden meaning amplifies impact. Subtext is the underlying message or commentary beneath the surface of a joke. It adds depth and resonance, making humor more intellectually satisfying. The best satire uses subtext to critique society or human nature.

Craft layered jokes. When developing humor, consider:

• The surface-level joke
• The deeper meaning or commentary
• How these two layers interact
  Strong subtext often points out flaws in society or human behavior. It should be implied rather than stated directly, allowing readers to uncover it themselves.

3. The 11 Funny Filters are tools for creating humor

These 11 Funny Filters tend to blur into each other at the periphery. Some are much more closely related than others.

Humor creation toolkit. The 11 Funny Filters are: Irony, Character, Shock, Hyperbole, Wordplay, Reference, Madcap, Parody, Analogy, Misplaced Focus, and Metahumor. These serve as fundamental building blocks for constructing jokes and humorous writing.

Mix and match for best results. While each filter can work independently, combining multiple filters often produces richer, more layered humor. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your style and subject matter. Remember that these categories are fluid and often overlap, providing flexibility in your approach to humor writing.

4. Accessibility is key to reaching a wide audience

In fact, all the go-to funny ideas you can think of have been done to death: banana-peel slipping, mothers-in-law, three somethings walk into a bar.... How do you think of something new that's funny?

Universality breeds connection. Accessible humor appeals to a broad audience by tapping into shared experiences and emotions. It avoids overly niche references or complex setups that might alienate readers.

Balance novelty and familiarity. To create accessible yet fresh humor:

• Update familiar concepts with modern twists
• Find new angles on universal experiences
• Use clear, relatable language
• Avoid obscure references or insider jokes
• Test your material on diverse audiences for feedback

5. Avoid clichés to keep your humor fresh

If you use a clichéd joke, topic or character, your reader will immediately and instinctively know that your humor writing is not very good, and they probably won't stick with it long.

Originality captivates readers. Clichés in humor writing signal lazy thinking and lack of creativity. They fail to surprise readers, which is essential for generating laughter. By avoiding overused jokes and tropes, you demonstrate respect for your audience's intelligence.

Cultivate a unique voice. To steer clear of clichés:

• Question your first ideas – they're often the most obvious
• Stay current on pop culture and comedy trends
• Seek inspiration from unexpected sources
• Combine familiar elements in novel ways
• Regularly update your personal list of taboo clichés

6. Quantity leads to quality in humor writing

By writing more, you produce a larger pool of raw material to draw quality ideas from. No writer writes only one joke that's pure gold as soon as it's written.

Volume breeds excellence. The path to great humor writing involves generating many ideas, then selecting and refining the best ones. This approach allows for experimentation and unexpected discoveries that wouldn't occur if you only pursued "perfect" ideas.

Embrace imperfection. To increase your humor output:

• Set daily writing goals (e.g., 10 jokes per day)
• Use timed writing exercises to bypass self-censorship
• Maintain an idea notebook for constant collection
• Regularly review and refine your backlog of material
• Collaborate with others to multiply idea generation

7. Balance your inner Clown and Editor

To write humor well, you need to be a Clown. You need to write down every idea you have, no matter how stupid you think it is.

Dual mindsets fuel creativity. The Clown represents uninhibited creativity, while the Editor brings critical analysis. Balancing these mindsets allows you to generate abundant ideas and then refine them effectively.

Cultivate both sides. To develop your Clown and Editor:
Clown:

• Practice free writing without judgment
• Embrace absurd or "stupid" ideas
• Say "yes, and" to build on concepts

Editor:

• Study humor techniques and structures
• Analyze successful jokes and comedic writing
• Develop criteria for assessing your own work

8. Use Metahumor sparingly but effectively

Metahumor makes fun of other humor or the idea of humor, either by describing the effect of humor, using humor itself as a subject in a joke, or targeting a humor medium or specific attempt at humor.

Self-awareness adds depth. Metahumor can provide clever commentary on the nature of comedy itself. However, it risks alienating readers who aren't comedy insiders or enthusiasts.

Strategic deployment. When using metahumor:

• Ensure it's accessible to a general audience
• Use it to highlight broader truths about human nature
• Combine it with other Funny Filters for added impact
• Avoid overuse, which can come across as pretentious
• Consider it as a "garnish" rather than the main course

9. Shock humor requires moderation and purpose

Shock can range from mild to extreme. A joke can have just a dash of Shock, or it can have an overdose, depending on what's required to communicate the Subtext.

Provocation with purpose. Shock humor can be a powerful tool for grabbing attention and challenging norms. However, it quickly loses effectiveness if overused or employed without meaningful subtext.

Calculated risk-taking. When using shock humor:

• Ensure it serves a larger point or commentary
• Consider your audience's sensibilities
• Use it as a seasoning, not the main ingredient
• Be prepared to defend your artistic choices
• Punch up, not down – target those with power, not the vulnerable

10. Parody demands verisimilitude

The essential guideline for Parody is that you want to mimic the form you're parodying as faithfully as possible, without winking at the reader.

Accuracy amplifies humor. Effective parody requires a deep understanding of the source material's style, format, and conventions. The closer your imitation, the more powerful the comedic effect when you subvert expectations.

Master mimicry. To create compelling parodies:

• Study your target exhaustively (language, structure, tone)
• Identify key elements that define the original
• Reproduce those elements with precision
• Introduce humor through subtle twists or exaggerations
• Avoid breaking character or explaining the joke

11. Practice all Funny Filters to develop your skills

When you condition your comedy-writing muscle to be able to write any kind of joke using any kind of Funny Filter, you increase your potential readership.

Versatility expands reach. While you may naturally gravitate towards certain types of humor, mastering all the Funny Filters allows you to connect with a broader audience and tackle diverse subjects effectively.

Deliberate skill-building. To improve your range:

• Set challenges to write using each Funny Filter daily
• Analyze successful examples of each filter in action
• Combine filters in unexpected ways
• Seek feedback on your less-comfortable styles
• Regularly push yourself out of your comedic comfort zone

Remember, a well-rounded humor writer can adapt to different audiences, topics, and formats, increasing their chances of success in the competitive world of comedy writing.

Last updated: February 4, 2025