Standup comedy is an art form that combines storytelling, observation, and punchy writing. Crafting jokes involves more than just being funny—it requires a clear understanding of formats, techniques, and timing to engage an audience. In this guide, we’ll explore the essential formats and techniques used in standup comedy writing, complete with examples to illustrate how these elements come together to create laughter.
1. Understanding Joke Structure: Setup and Punchline
At the heart of every joke is the basic structure: the setup and the punchline. The setup establishes the context, while the punchline delivers the twist or surprise that makes the audience laugh.
Example:
- Setup: “I’m on a whiskey diet.”
- Punchline: “I’ve lost three days already.”
Explanation: The setup leads the audience to think it’s a conventional diet joke, but the punchline flips it by introducing an unexpected consequence—losing days, not weight.
2. Common Comedy Formats
A. One-Liners
One-liners are short, concise jokes that deliver a punch with minimal setup. They rely heavily on wordplay, puns, or quick shifts in logic.
Example:
- “I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.”
Explanation: The setup is a statement that seems sincere, but the punchline delivers humor through a double meaning—mistakes referring both to errors and to the speaker himself.
Comedians:
- Mitch Hedberg – Known for his surreal and quirky one-liners.
- Steven Wright – Famous for his deadpan delivery and clever one-liners.
- Wanda Sykes – Though she often uses storytelling, she also delivers powerful one-liners with sharp timing.
B. Observational Comedy
Observational jokes find humor in everyday life, pointing out the absurdities in mundane situations. This style often uses relatability as a key hook for the audience.
Example:
- “You ever notice how every ‘Open 24 Hours’ place has locks on the door? What, are they scared someone’s going to break in and clean?”
Explanation: The humor comes from pointing out the illogical nature of something commonly accepted, which many people have seen but not questioned.
Comedians:
- Ellen DeGeneres – Known for her relatable takes on daily life and social behavior.
- Ali Wong – Incorporates observations about family, motherhood, and Asian-American culture.
- Trevor Noah – Uses his unique perspective as a South African to observe cultural differences and social issues.
C. Storytelling
Storytelling in comedy involves narrating a personal or fictional anecdote with comedic elements. This format allows for a longer setup, as the story itself is entertaining, and it often includes multiple punchlines.
Example:
- “So, I read that smoking marijuana can make your sperm lazy, just swimming in circles. I thought, ‘Well, that’s perfect—they’re just as directionless as I am in my career.’ Now my little swimmers are down there, doing the backstroke, looking for the remote.”
Explanation: The joke uses a personal narrative to explore the absurdity of a scientific fact, blending relatability with self-deprecation.
Comedians:
- Kevin Hart – Known for his high-energy stories about his life, family, and mishaps.
- Aditi Mittal – One of India’s leading female stand-up comedians, known for her personal and cultural storytelling.
- John Mulaney – Renowned for his narrative style and detailed, often self-deprecating stories.
- Tiffany Haddish – Uses storytelling to share her life experiences with humor and candor.
3. Techniques in Joke Writing
A. Misdirection
Misdirection sets the audience up to expect one outcome and then subverts that expectation, leading them in an unexpected direction.
Example:
- “I’m not good with technology; for example, I tried to mute my microwave when it was too loud.”
Explanation: The setup primes the audience to expect a common tech issue, but the punchline humorously applies a solution that makes no sense in the given context.
Comedians:
- Jimmy Carr – British comedian known for his dark humor and sharp misdirection.
- Hannibal Buress – Often uses misdirection with a relaxed style that subverts audience expectations.
- Eliza Skinner – Uses clever misdirection to highlight absurdities in everyday life.
- Ken Jeong – Frequently employs misdirection, mixing his medical background with comedy.
B. Exaggeration
Exaggeration involves taking a concept or situation to a hyperbolic extreme, making it seem ridiculous or far-fetched.
Example:
- “My wife says I never listen to her, or something like that.”
Explanation: The punchline exaggerates the problem of not listening to a comical extreme—failing to hear even a complaint about not listening.
Comedians:
- Gabriel Iglesias (Fluffy) – Known for his animated stories with exaggerated impressions and sound effects.
- Margaret Cho – Uses exaggeration to emphasize social commentary, often about her Korean heritage and LGBTQ+ issues.
- Jim Carrey – Famous for his exaggerated physical comedy and facial expressions.
- Aparna Nancherla – Uses exaggeration in a more subdued, introspective manner to highlight anxiety and social awkwardness.
C. Callbacks
A callback refers to a joke that links back to an earlier joke in the set, creating a sense of continuity and layering the humor.
Example:
- Earlier in the set: “My sperm are so lazy, they just float around waiting for Uber.”
- Callback later: “And then my wife’s like, ‘Why don’t we have kids?’ I’m like, ‘Maybe the Uber’s lost.’”
Explanation: The callback revisits the lazy sperm joke, reinforcing the concept and adding a new twist.
Comedians:
- Dave Chappelle – Expert at weaving callbacks throughout his sets to build on earlier jokes.
- Ali Wong – Uses callbacks effectively to tie her sets together, often revisiting jokes about family and gender roles.
- Hasan Minhaj – Utilizes callbacks in his storytelling to connect themes across his performances.
- Tig Notaro – Known for her subtle use of callbacks that add depth to her deadpan style.
D. Comparisons and Similes
Comparisons and similes liken one thing to another, often highlighting the absurdity or humor in the connection.
Example:
- “Dating in your 30s is like trying to find a parking spot—everyone’s taken, or there’s something wrong with the rest.”
Explanation: The simile connects the struggle of dating to a relatable experience, drawing humor from the shared frustration.
Comedians:
- Russell Peters – Known for comparing cultures and stereotypes in a humorous and insightful way.
- Aziz Ansari – Uses comparisons to discuss generational differences and modern dating.
- Ronny Chieng – Known for comparing American and Asian cultures with sharp, satirical humor.
E. Reverses
Reverses play with the expected direction of the joke, often presenting an idea from a completely opposite perspective at the punchline.
Example:
- “I used to be addicted to soap, but I’m clean now.”
Explanation: The joke sets up the idea of addiction but flips it with a wordplay on being ‘clean,’ relating to both addiction recovery and the nature of soap.
Comedians:
- Sarah Silverman – Frequently uses reverses in her edgy, controversial style.
- John Bishop – British comedian known for his reverse punchlines in storytelling.
- Nicole Byer – Often flips expectations with surprising twists in her material.
- George Lopez – Uses reverses to challenge stereotypes and expectations about Latino culture.
4. Building a Routine: From Individual Jokes to Cohesive Set
Creating a standup set involves more than stringing together jokes; it’s about building a cohesive narrative or thematic throughline. Here’s how to structure a routine effectively:
A. Open Strong and End Stronger
Start with a solid joke that grabs the audience’s attention, and save your best material for the end to leave a lasting impression.
B. The Rule of Three
A classic in comedy, the rule of three involves creating a pattern with two similar elements followed by a third that surprises.
Example:
- “Some people go to therapy, some do yoga, and some, like me, just watch reruns of ‘The Office’ and pretend it’s self-care.”
Explanation: The first two items are expected self-care methods, but the third adds humor through a surprising, less conventional coping mechanism.
C. Segue Smoothly
Transitions between jokes should feel natural. Use callbacks, thematic connections, or even meta-humor (acknowledging the transition itself) to keep the flow.
D. Rehearse with Timing and Delivery
Comedy is as much about how you say something as what you say. Rehearse your timing, pauses, and emphasis to maximize the impact of each joke.
Some more example comedians:
Character Comedy
- Melissa Villaseñor – Known for her impressions and character-driven comedy on SNL.
- Sacha Baron Cohen – Famous for his character comedy in roles like Borat and Ali G.
- Lena Waithe – Often includes character-driven humor that highlights the complexity of Black queer experiences.
- Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman) – Created an entire comedic persona that became iconic.
Improvisational Comedy
- Robin Williams – A master of quick-witted improv and spontaneous humor.
- Wayne Brady – Known for his work on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” showcasing his improv skills.
- Mindy Kaling – Though primarily a writer, she incorporates improvisation in her comedic performances.
- Aisling Bea – Uses improvisation in her storytelling to engage audiences with spontaneity and charm.
5. Conclusion
Standup comedy writing is a craft that blends creativity, observation, and a deep understanding of human nature. By mastering joke formats like one-liners, observational humor, and storytelling, and applying techniques like misdirection, exaggeration, and callbacks, comedians can create compelling, memorable routines. The key is to continually refine your material, listen to your audience, and always keep experimenting with new ideas and perspectives.
Standup comedy isn’t just about being funny—it’s about connecting with an audience through shared experiences and surprises that make us laugh at the absurdity of life. Whether you’re writing jokes for yourself or for a larger set, keep these techniques in mind, and remember: the best comedy often comes from the truths we’re too shy or afraid to say out loud.
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