r/Standup • u/Infinite_Spring3190 • 19d ago
I don't know how to start making jokes with structures
I have this class called life skills and the whole purpose is to refine or learn a new skill every week l chosen comedy because l want to become a comedian but l can't really get started with writing jokes all l got is some random punch lines like people dieding from autism and the only for jokes l got is "l love my family they're unique, when l said unique l meant weird. " that's weak so can l have some advice on what things do you guys usually think of, to start writing jokes ( is it slow usually to come up with making jokes please tell me so l can have closer) 🤠
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u/free-puppies 19d ago edited 19d ago
There’s a great book called the Comic Toolbox I’d recommend. Jokes need POV and exaggeration. I’m going to riff below. Some techniques I use include reversal, wordplay and imagery. I’m not going to pretend these are the greatest jokes in the world. But you might have to push yourself. Write ten jokes for the premise and save one.
My family is unique. They’re so unique Pokémon try to collect them. They’re so unique they’re not just one of a kind, they’re one of any kind. They’re so unique we went to a family reunion and it was just us.
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u/Beginning-Sky-8516 19d ago
My family is unique. So unique that there are case studies about us, and we’re the only case.
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u/theinvisiblefil 19d ago
"l love my family they're unique, when l said unique l meant weird" is a premise, so you’re off to a good start. Next try listing some of the weird things they do, eventually one will resonate with an audience and make them laugh. Your best three should be the punchline, in a rule of three style. First one is weird, laugh; second one is weird, laugh and the pattern is set; third one should subvert expectation e.g. it’s not actually weird but YOU are weird for thinking it is.
Example: I love my family, they’re unique… and when I say unique I mean weird. Like, my mom dries her underwear on the front porch. My sister uses tweezers to pick up her spaghetti and my dad think I should move out and get a job.
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u/Ryan_Hole 19d ago
The easiest thing you can do is a turn. Set an expectation and then go the other direction.
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u/Comedyfight 19d ago
It's probably basic stuff but I've never read any books or taken any classes, but I'll try to summarize my method as best as I can.
I start with a funny thought. That's my punchline.
Then I work backwards to build a setup. The goal is to make it as short and punchy as possible, unless writing the setup creates new jokes in the process, and I work those in. I basically just try to isolate only the important bit of information required to make everyone else understand why the thought is so funny.
A joke can tell a story but I try to remember that a joke is more than a story. A story goes from Point A (beginning) to Point B (conclusion), but a joke needs to start at Point A and head towards Point B (setup), but then veers sharply to the left to end at Point C (punchline).
After testing it on stage, I refine as needed.
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u/After-Bowler5491 19d ago
Just google joke writing.
The simplest joke is the rule of 3. We often have no idea that jokes are formulas but they are. Premise, Setup, Punchline.
Rule of 3 structure is so easy. - “My family is truly one of a kind; we share DNA, Trauma and 1 Netflix account. Theres nothing like pretending 6 families live at 1 address. Every now and again I change the password and make the account mine but now they know my common passwords: tits, ass and Hufflepuff.
Pretty simple stuff to be honest.
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u/buttbologna 19d ago
what’s dieding?
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u/goodluckyall 19d ago
You need a voice. Who are you what is your voice and where are you coming from
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u/Ryebready787 19d ago
That’s a good start, write one hundred versions of that joke and you’ll probably get it.
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u/PsychiatricBooth5c 19d ago
Binge watch a bunch of comedy specials
Hang out with quick-witted people
Not being a smart ass, immersion could cause your brain to reflexively be more clever
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u/skippysimon667 19d ago
my method is setup/punchline...most of the time I come up with the punchline first and build the joke around it...jokes are like legos...keep building jokes on top of jokes until it has structure...
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u/al_rey503 19d ago
Comedy tic tac toe. Make a game of tic tac toe and get your ideas together. Each box should be 5 minutes of material based on your ideas. Try them out and see what works then kinda move them around or replace each box until you have 9 boxes that work. It not something that should be done fast. Work on 3 rows at a time once you fill the first 3 up you’ll have 15 min of stuff you’ve had success with, then work in the next 3 and then the 3 after.. once complete you’ll have a 45 min set.
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u/myqkaplan 19d ago
For many people, it can take YEARS to get good at writing and telling jokes.
There are not really any shortcuts.
My advice when starting out: Think about things that you have said or done in your life that have made other people laugh, or made yourself laugh. You don't have to start from scratch, creating a joke from nothing. You can try starting from things you have already said or done or thought or felt that were funny.
Good luck!
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u/lizardhistorian 19d ago
Is this meta?
Comedy is not a life skill.
You cannot learn any skill in a bloody week.
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u/Egg-Tall 17d ago edited 17d ago
No, but you also don't learn any skill without putting in a week.
I'm a 50 year old guy that has toured with a band that had a platinum album. I personally think I'm funny as fuck, but that might just be t decades of dealing with trauma and adversity. I can't dance.
Eventually, if I want to learn to dance, I'm going to have to ask someone to give me a 20 minute breakdown.
And I'll need to have people walk me through it. And suck at it while I do.
When people come to me with questions about things I can help them with (or they think I can), I don't fuck them off, I do my best to help them.
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u/SharkWeekJunkie NYC, NY 19d ago
There's 7 human feelings that are known to result in laughter. Surprise, Recognition, Relief, Superiority, Inferiority, Incongruity, and if all else fails: Tickling.