Laughing out loud

Who doesn’t like a good joke? A crucial part to any joke is how it is delivered. Timing and pacing are keys to delivering a good joke. The way a joke is written can guide how it is delivered.

The following table shows four types of jokes, and each joke is written in two different ways. Try reading each joke using both versions, either in your mind, out loud to yourself, or to an audience. If you would like, you can also listen to the way both versions of each joke can be delivered.

Reflect

• Which version of each joke was funnier? Why do you think so?
• Who do you think is the intended audience for these jokes? How do you know?
• Go back to the table. In version two of each joke, identify any changed punctuation (search for commas, periods, question marks, and quotations). What do you notice?

It’s all about timing

In the Minds On, there were four types of jokes shared: knock knock, limerick, “punny,” and storytelling. People have their own personal preference for what kind of joke they find funny, which may also include the many types of jokes not mentioned here.

We are going to write our own jokes, with the focus on ensuring that we provide punctuation which delivers the jokes with the timing that we intended. As we noticed in the examples, punctuation can really affect how you might read a joke and how it sounds when read aloud.

Writing a joke

• Choose your favourite style of joke from the four in the table or choose your own not on the list.
• Using your chosen style, write three unique jokes that you have not heard before.
• When you have finished writing one of your jokes, carefully read it over and check for proper use of punctuation.
• Ask yourself whether someone who has not heard your joke before would be able to deliver it properly by reading it. If possible, try having someone read your joke to you. Make changes to the punctuation in your joke based on how it sounds.
• After revising, read your joke aloud to yourself. Make any final revisions or changes.
• Share your jokes!

What? – So what? – Now what?

What?

Why is punctuation important in a joke?

So what?

Why might punctuation be important in other forms of writing?

Now what?

What is one strategy you could use to include proper punctuation in your writing?

Stand-up comedy

A series of jokes written in order is called a stand-up routine. This is what professional comedians write and deliver for a living. Some comedians are world-famous for their stand-up routines!

Write your own stand-up routine using your own original jokes. For this learning activity, you can record your ideas using speech to text software, paper, or a computer. Here are a couple of quick tips to think about when putting together your stand-up routine:

• Be careful with your use of punctuation. Proper punctuation will help you with the timing of your jokes.
• Try to connect one joke with the next where it makes sense.
• Read your routine out loud. Listen for words or punctuation you can adjust.
• Perform rough drafts of your routine to a small audience and seek out feedback.
• Have fun!

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.