Writing Response #1

In chapter one of Comedy Writing Secrets, we are presented with the idea that anyone can acquire humor. Chapter one gives us several exercises to strengthen our imagination. An easy exercise that gets one’s imagination flowing is simply to ask oneself “What if” and think of all possible answers, no matter if they sound ridiculous. This chapter focuses on the importance of becoming humorous in both speech and writing. Humor is vital to life because it is the easiest way to make a conversation successful. Humor oftentimes acts as the “ice-breaker” for a conversation. People who are viewed as being humorous are said to gain “respectful attention”. From lectures in class to advertisement, using humor gets attention. But it is not only the way that one presents information that is important, but also the type of audience one is trying to persuade. In any type of comedy, either in print or stand-up, if the type of humor used does not match the audience’s interests, the audience may be offended. By using the MAP process: Material, Audience, and Performer, one can become a successful comedian easily.
In Laughing Matters, the author is trying to portray to readers that understanding comedy is the key to becoming a successful humorist. We are introduced to a deeper look at what laughter actually means. When a comedian is applauded by laughter, he/she has successfully gotten through to the audience. Comedy acts as a corrective to social behavior. When the audience responds with laughter to a humorous upbringing of a social problem, they are accepting the problem and becoming better people. However laughter does not like to be in isolation. Laughter rather enjoys company; therefore, an idea will seem more humorous if presented to more than one person. Furthermore, the author presents us with different situations in which he finds humor.
In response to both readings I found myself to understand more clearly what Comedy Writing Secrets had to say. To me Laughing Matters tended to use richer words that were harder to comprehend. Although several points did catch my attention, oftentimes I was confused to what the author was trying to get across to his readers and ended up reading pages several times to try and grasp the basic concept. I liked how in Comedy Writing Secrets, readers were introduced to exercises that encouraged humor. What also kept my attention were the funny quotes throughout the chapter. It is true what this chapter points out: the use of humor in reading or listening captures the audience and gets the point across easily. After reading the chapter I feel more encouraged that I can become a successful comedian, simply by following the steps this chapter presents.

Question: Besides what I picked up from the reading in Laughing Matters, what else was the author trying to tell us?