Laughter is universal and it's a feeling that connects people, lightens the mood, and makes any content more enjoyable. If you’ve ever wondered how to inject a dose of humor into your writing and keep your readers laughing out loud (LOL), you’re in the right place. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, learning how to make your writing comedic can transform your content. So if you are wanting to leave your readers grinning from ear to ear, continue reading.
Put the Funny Part at the End
When including jokes in your writing, it is crucial that you put the funny part at the end to maximize its impact. You should think about it like a punchline where the setup builds anticipation, and the punchline delivers the laugh. For example, instead of writing, "My math teacher has too many problems," say, "My math teacher told me I was average. I thought that was mean." The unexpected twist at the end is what makes it funny. This is why the part of the sentence that induces laughter needs to be the last part of a line. As a result, it is also important that you don't put tags like "she exclaimed" after the line. This will only weaken the delivery. ofthe joke. By keeping the punchline as the last part of the sentence, you ensure that the humor lands perfectly, making your readers laugh out loud.
Cut Unnecessary Words
Relating to the previous point, make sure that you cut any unncessary words, including dialogue tags. One way to make your writing funnier and therefore make your readers laught is by keeping it concise and punchy. Extra words will dilute the impact of your joke, so ensure that you trim your sentences to the essentials. For instance, instead of writing, "With a smile she said, 'I can’t believe I ate the whole thing,'" simply write, "'I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.'" In the second example, the humor is sharper and more immediate which makes it so much stronger!
Consider Timing
Like in real-life communication, delivering a joke at the wrong moment can lead to misunderstandings or even offense. By strategically timing the funny parts of your book, you can ensure that they land with maximum effect, enhancing the comedic element. For example, it might be awkward if your character was joking and being super funny during the funeral of their friend's mom. That being said, if your character is a jokester during "inappropriate" moments you should consider why and also ensure that it gives insight into their personality.
Read & Watch Comedies
Research is critical in all aspects of writing, both fiction and nonfiction. Not only does research ensure that your book is accurate, but it is sure to give you inspiration. If you are unsure of how to write a story that gets readers to laugh then you should examine the movies and stories that get you to laugh. Analyze these pieces of media and determine what exactly is funny to you. Why do you laugh at certain parts and what aspects of these stories do you want to emulate in your writing? Overall, reading and watching comedies is a great way to "research" for your own funny story.
Don’t Explain Something Is Funny
When writing a funny book, it also crucial to avoid explaining why something is funny. No one wants to be told if something is funny. Plus, if something "funny" has to be explained than it most likely isn't that humours in the first place. This is why you shouldn't expelicitaly tell readers that something is funny. Avoid saying that "he joked" or "she fooled." This will only disrupt the natural flow of the humor and it undermines the reader's ability to enjoy the joke. In general, trust that your readers will get the joke on their own as over-explaining can make the humor feel forced and less effective.
Apart from the tips listed above, the main thing to remeber when trying to make your readers laugh is to be genuine, light-hearted, and to let your unique voice shine through! Your readers will thank you with every chuckle and smile.
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