I learned how to write comedy by watching TV and then copying down the jokes in a notebook. The next day I would perform the jokes at school. Eventually, I was able to write for many comedians.
Generally, the jokes that comedians use are of the one-liner type. That is, they are very short. They consist of two parts--the straight line and the punch line. The straight line is the unfunny part of the joke. It is often called, "the setup," because it sets up the joke. The punch line is the funny part that follows. For example, take the following simple joke,
"I have everything Tom Cruise has--except money, talent and looks."
The straight line is, "I have everything Tom Cruise has" and the punch line is, "except money, talent and looks."
Notice how neither one of these parts of the joke is funny by itself. They are only funny when they're together. When we're creating jokes we start with the straight line, then go through our mind until we have something funny that could follow it.
For example, in the earlier stages of this joke, we might have come up with the following punch lines.
I have everything Tom Cruise has--but I gave it away.
I have everything Tom Cruise has--I bought it at a garage sale.
I have everything Tom Cruise has--but he wants it back.
We then would pick out the one that we think is the funniest. I believe it to be the original joke. You, however, may have a different idea.
When you're learning how to write jokes, it's important to read as many of them as possible. So I recommend going to the library and taking out joke books.
The next step is to find a comedian to write for. There are two steps I follow to do this. One, is to look on the internet for people wanting writers. Two, is to go to any comedy club and talk to a performer who you think you could write for.
Good luck with your new hobby!
Generally, the jokes that comedians use are of the one-liner type. That is, they are very short. They consist of two parts--the straight line and the punch line. The straight line is the unfunny part of the joke. It is often called, "the setup," because it sets up the joke. The punch line is the funny part that follows. For example, take the following simple joke,
"I have everything Tom Cruise has--except money, talent and looks."
The straight line is, "I have everything Tom Cruise has" and the punch line is, "except money, talent and looks."
Notice how neither one of these parts of the joke is funny by itself. They are only funny when they're together. When we're creating jokes we start with the straight line, then go through our mind until we have something funny that could follow it.
For example, in the earlier stages of this joke, we might have come up with the following punch lines.
I have everything Tom Cruise has--but I gave it away.
I have everything Tom Cruise has--I bought it at a garage sale.
I have everything Tom Cruise has--but he wants it back.
We then would pick out the one that we think is the funniest. I believe it to be the original joke. You, however, may have a different idea.
When you're learning how to write jokes, it's important to read as many of them as possible. So I recommend going to the library and taking out joke books.
The next step is to find a comedian to write for. There are two steps I follow to do this. One, is to look on the internet for people wanting writers. Two, is to go to any comedy club and talk to a performer who you think you could write for.
Good luck with your new hobby!
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