What Makes it Funny?
One little word can create a BIG laugh.
Hello Writers,
I think there are many ways to make readers laugh. A sense of humor is personal. (This reminds me of how my favorite ice cream flavor is black raspberry, but it’s not for everyone!) We laugh at different jokes. Certain words make us giggle, while others make us squirm. Most of us also have strong opinions about what is NOT funny. So, as writers, how can we boost the humor in our storytelling? We can study the books that make us laugh out loud, and ask ourselves, “How did those authors do that?”
The book TRIANGLE starts out with simple, matter-of-fact sentences. “This is Triangle. This is Triangle’s house.” This is very inviting for young or emergent readers. I also think it builds anticipation. I know something is going to happen. Soon we read, “He was going to play a sneaky trick on Square.” The word ‘sneaky’ makes me laugh immediately. It tells me sooooooo much about Triangle’s character. I am reminded of my mischievous cousins and the “sneaky tricks” we played on our grown-ups. I can not wait to turn the page. Imagine the sentence without the word ‘sneaky’- “He was going to play a trick.” The sentence is fine. It works. BUT, a “sneaky trick” gives readers more to visualize and anticipate. Triangle is not going to play a “mean trick,” or a “silly trick.” Notice how one word changes the reading experience. So, writers, go play around with words!
Here are some more titles that I could read over and over again. These authors make me laugh by creating exaggerated, absurd scenarios, by letting me in on something that the main character doesn’t yet realize, and by putting words or characters together that just don’t seem like they belong together! Finally, we can learn facts and laugh in books like BUTT or FACE? and DON’T TRUST FISH. (click for a bonus read aloud of Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson.)