Unleash Your Inner Comedian: Lessons from an Emmy Award-Winning Writer

"Did you ever notice how many jokes start with 'Did you ever notice?' And what's the deal with 'What’s the deal?'" These are the intriguing opening lines of Cheri Steinkellner's TED-Ed talk, "How to make your writing funnier." Steinkellner, an Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, offers a masterclass in humor writing, filled with tips and tricks that can transform even the most mundane writing into a comedic masterpiece. So, buckle up, folks! We're about to embark on a journey through the world of humor, sarcasm, and reflection, guided by the wisdom of Steinkellner herself. This journey will not only entertain you but also equip you with the tools to become a better storyteller in your professional life.

The Ingredients of Comedy: A Closer Look

Steinkellner starts by laying out the basic ingredients of great storytelling, which, unsurprisingly, also apply to comedy writing. These ingredients are the classic "who, what, when, where, why, and how." These questions demand details, and as Steinkellner points out, "the more specific the details, the funnier the story." This is a crucial lesson for any copywriter. The devil, as they say, is in the details. The more specific you can be in your writing, the more engaging and memorable it will be for your audience.

The Who: Comedic Characters

Think about the books, TV shows, and movies that make you laugh. They're usually filled with funny types or archetypes: the know-it-all, the lovable loser, the bad boss, the airhead. These are all stock characters found in Commedia dell'Arte, a form of theatre from late Renaissance Italy. The rule for creating comic characters? Find the flaw, then play it up. Or try playing with opposites. When the smartest guy in the room does the stupidest thing, we tend to laugh because we didn't see that coming.

You can use this principle to create engaging and memorable characters in your writing. Whether you're writing a blog post, a social media update, or a product description, think about how you can inject humor by playing up character flaws or creating unexpected situations. This will not only make your writing more entertaining, but it will also help your audience connect with your content on a deeper level.

The What: Incongruity Theory of Humor

The ancient Greek funnyman Aristotle is said to have said:

"The secret to humor is surprise." 

This surprise, or incongruity theory of humor, says we laugh at things that seem out of place or run up against our expectations. Like a frog dating a pig, a lizard selling insurance, a baby disco dancing, a nun disco dancing, a cat disco dancing. Actually, a baby, a nun, or a cat doing pretty much anything, especially involving disco, is bound to be funny.

In your professional writing, consider how you can use the element of surprise to inject humor into your work. This could be as simple as using an unexpected word or phrase, or as complex as crafting a narrative that takes a surprising twist. The key is to keep your audience on their toes, always guessing what will come next.

From Observation to Imagination: The Power of "What If"

Steinkellner suggests shifting from observation to imagination, going from "what is" to "what if." Like, what if instead of a horse, for example, you just had a pair of coconuts? Or what if memorable moments in history, literature, or film featured coconuts? Get wild, let it go. Even if an idea seems overdone or too obvious or just plain foolish, try jotting it down anyway. The opposite of the most foolish idea might just turn out to be the smartest.

As a copywriter, this is a powerful tool to have in your arsenal. The ability to imagine "what if" scenarios can help you create engaging and memorable content. For example, what if your product was used in a completely unexpected way? Or what if your service could solve a problem that your audience didn't even know they had? By pushing the boundaries of what's possible, you can create content that truly stands out.

Real Life is Funny: Turning Frustration into Humor

Have you ever noticed how much comedy revolves around things that irritate, frustrate, and humiliate us? Will Rogers said:

"Everything's funny as long as it happens to somebody else." 

So, if you're having a crummy morning, imagine it happening to a character you're writing about. By afternoon, you may at least get a funny story out of it.

This is a valuable lesson for any copywriter. Often, the most frustrating and challenging experiences can make for the most engaging and relatable content. So, don't shy away from the difficult moments. Instead, embrace them and use them as fuel for your writing. Not only will this make your content more relatable, but it will also help your audience feel seen and understood.

Comedy Writing Tricks: Making Your Writing Zing

Once you've got your characters and story, here are a few quick and easy comedy writing tricks to make them zing. The rule of three or zig-zig-zag: try setting up an expected pattern (zig-zig), then flip it (zag). A rabbi, a priest, and a coconut walk into a bar. The punchline rule says put your punch at the end of the line. A rabbi, a priest, and a coconut walk into a disco. That brings up the rule of K. For some reason, words with a K sound catch our ears and are considered comical. Coconut, disco, pickles, crickets.

As a copywriter, these tricks can be invaluable for making your writing more engaging and memorable. The rule of three, for example, is a classic storytelling technique that can be used to create a sense of rhythm and balance in your writing. The punchline rule and the rule of K, meanwhile, can help you craft more effective headlines and calls to action.

Conclusion

Humor is subjective. Comedy is trial and error. Writing is rewriting. Just keep trying, find the flaws, discover the details, insert incongruities, incorporate K words, and remember the most important rule of writing funny: have fun. As Charles Dickens said:

"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor." 

And disco, of course. Because, let's face it, nothing says "funny" quite like a disco-dancing coconut.

As a copywriter, the lessons from Steinkellner's talk can be invaluable. By incorporating humor into your writing, you can engage your audience on a deeper level, making your content more memorable and impactful. So, don't be afraid to experiment, to play with words and ideas, and to find the humor in the everyday. After all, as Steinkellner reminds us, there's a lot of funny to be found simply by noticing the ordinary, everyday things you don't ordinarily notice every day.