Humor writing in nonfiction articles

1
Humor writing in nonfiction articles
2
When do people laugh

• When they are surprised
• At the misfortune of others

3
Publications use of humor

• Some publications specialize in humor
• Some use it along with other content
• Some use humor as spot features
• Some as a regular item in columns

4
Some humor writers

• Dave Barry, Calvin Trillin, Garrison Keillor, Ian
  Frazier, Alice Kahn, Patrick McManus, Roy Blount
  Jr., Al Franken, Art Buchwald, James Lileks

5
Where do they write

• Miami Herald, New Yorker, Time, The Nation,
  Arizona Republic, The Atlantic Monthly, Playboy,
  Sports Illustrated, Lose Angeles Times,
  Minneapolis Star Tribune

6
Stand-up comedians/ celebs

• Tim Allen, David Letterman, Chris Rock, Ellen
  DeGeneres, Cathy Guisewite, Matt Groening, Scott
  Adams

7
Humorous ideas

• Kelso - what happens on a daily basis
• Russell, Ivins, Lileks - politics
• Art Buchwald - his daily newspaper
• Lind - asks readers to send stories
• Blum - depends on friend for ideas

8
Humor writers ability

• To form images and word pictures,
• Surprise or unexpected finish or resolution of
  the story
• Build up to the end by taking a small step at a
  time to tell the story
• Allow momentum to grow
• Combination of jokes, break punch line

9
Four elements needed

• A funny opening
• Colorful narration
• Colorful characters
• A concise plot

10
What good publications avoid

• Do not want off-color or sexist humor
• Do not want taking shots at others
• Do not want ethnic jokes

11
Tips for good writing

• Idea should be covered by a single theme
• Develop the characters in the story
• List the bits of humor - the jokes
• Start writing and rewriting frequently

12
How humor columnists make humor work

• Exaggeration
• Understatement
• Surprise
• Lifes little problems

13
How humor columnists make humor work

• Humor in the news
• Constructing a comic reality
• Attractive beginnings and endings
• Puns and word play

14
Humor writing techniques

• Satire Ridicule a subjects vices, excesses,
  abuses, follies, stupidities (Britney Spears
  Oops I did it again) Dave Barry is an example

15
Humor writing techniques

• Parody Opportunity to imitate style of an
  individual, place, object or institution Must
  study subject well. Takes nonsensical approach.
  Latin playboy

16
Humor writing techniques

• Exaggeration Overemphasize, enlarge, distort, to
  make a point. Must have a reason for
  overstatement. Must know when to stop. (Doing
  research flipping TV channels)

17
Humor writing techniques

• Contrast Incongruity. Show unreasonable
  unsuitable situations. Something expected and
  routine becomes unexpected/ non-routine. (Planned
  holiday becomes a mess)

18
Humor writing technique

• Understatement Works to create emphasis and
  reaction on the part of the reader. An
  intentional, softer comment will draw attention
  when it is contrasted with the expected. (95
  degree temperature A little warm outside)

19
Humor writing techniques

• Asides Short messages in parentheses or other
  form to communicate on a quasi-private level.
  Used in acting or footnotes. Dave Barry, again,
  an example

20
Humor writing techniques

• Irony Employs contradictions through writing
  tone and subject. Focuses on the direct opposite
  of what is usual or expected. Outcome of story is
  different from what is expected by readers.
  Distance between what happened and what should
  have happened or what is said and what is
  intended.

21
Humor writing techniques

• Grammatical and Typographic Emphasis
  Intentionally overusing and abusing English
  grammar and over usage. !!!!! _at_
• Trick draws readers attention to certain words
  and terms in an extreme fashion and help place
  focus where writer wants

22
Humor writing techniques

• Puns Play on words to provide double meaning.
  Unless its original, this doesnt work well

23
Humor writing techniques

• Logic and Consistency Correct reasoning through
  induction or deduction. Crazy behavior and absurd
  conduct makes much of American humor. But humor
  must maintain internal logic. Continue absurd
  premise. Dont change focus in middle of story