Guidelines for Humour Enhancement

      I have often been asked what I recommend for people who want to enhance their use of humour in everyday life and at work. Here is a four step process that I suggest:

      Being ready for the magic of humour requires that we create an attitude of openness and flexibility. Opportunities for humour happen so quickly one can easily miss them! It's good to think of yourself as a risk-taker as well. Being ready to assertively "jump in" with a humorous quip or play on words takes a little courage as well, especially if you're not used to doing it. Being prepared to face disappointment is useful too. Expect not to be received as really funny at first. You'll get more confident and your timing will improve with practice. Approach this as if you had the "mind of a beginner". Humour skills are learned like every other skill. At the beginning of learning any new skill it's natural not to know much or do well. Being ready to apologize if you inadvertently offend someone, and having the willingness to forgive yourself is key.

      We also need to sharpen our awareness and become attuned to the spontaneous occurrence of humour. Paying attention to where humour happens naturally is key of course. Watch the newspaper, television, memos, letters, cards, and any other printed matter for clues. The cartoons are obvious and you'll see irony, parody, absurdity, and plenty of oxymorons once you put on your humour glasses. Searching the Internet will yield a plethora of humorous material. You'll be able to witness and appreciate a wealth of humour opportunities in verbal communication as well. People say the funniest things, sometimes intentionally, but often without realizing it. You'll have plenty of "fun fodder" for play-on-words, retorts, metaphors, images, accents and the like. Physical humour in the form of gestures, body language, imitation, and mimicry is a creative method as well.

      The next step is to identify your favorite humour sources and then collect material. Find your favorite cartoonist and make a point of clipping out cartoons or buying their latest collection. Gary Larson's Far Side Gallery is a good example here. Loaning, renting or buying audio and videotapes of your favorite comic can be a rich source. This way you can listen and watch the comic who's style and content you most appreciate at your leisure. Cards, humorous photos, jokes, stories and the like can all be placed in a Humour File permitting quick and easy access when you need a Humour break. You are well on your way to noticing themes and your preferred style of Humour.

      Now that you have begun to discover the type of humour that you like best, you may wish to try out that technique or style yourself. It may be helpful to see the technique categories listed:

Exaggeration: An over or understatement of fact, thoughts, feelings or emotion. Used for emphasis.

Wit: The person thinks while talking, transforms the communication into a humorous comment or outcome. Makes use of witty smart replies.

Story teller: This person likes to share humorous stories gathered from life's daily absurdities. Enjoys the telling of the story as much as the response.

Joke teller: Delights in telling jokes or riddles. Relies on the buildup, timing and surprise punch line.

Play on Words: When you use the spoken word to create humorous puns, rhyming, alliteration, nonsense or double entendre.

Physical humour: This includes practical jokes, the use of body language and gestures to mimic, imitate and generally poke fun at someone or something.

Which of the above styles seems like a natural "fit" for you?

      To expand your humour repertoire, the idea is to zero in on your favorite technique, practiced by your favorite comic - a style or technique that you would like to emulate. Choose humour material that you are collecting that seems to fit well with this humour style. Spend some time reviewing the material, rehearsing the lines, puns, jokes, stories, impersonations and the like. The next step is to have a trial run with a friend or family member. The idea is to gradually move outside your comfort zone, then practice with friends at work. As with all skills, you'll need to practice more often at the beginning. With joke telling for instance, tell the new joke to five different friends the first and second day. This will help you remember it and build confidence and a comfort level. People will likely share jokes in return, which adds to your store of material. Ask your friends to give you feedback suggestions on how to improve your delivery, timing etc.

Other Suggestions:

Take a humour and creativity or creative improv course at your local community college.

Plan to attend live performances of comics at your local comedy club or theatre

© Chris Balmer 2003