Comedy Writing Secrets

by Helitzer, Mel

• ISBN13: 9781582973579
• ISBN10: 1582973571
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-01
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books

Summary

Updated and revised, this new edition of the best-selling favorite enables readers to master the fundamentals of humor writing and better understand the demands of the comedic market. Comedy Writing Secrets now includes:*Examples from comedy greats as well as cutting-edge contemporary comedians, including Jon Stewart, Chris Rock, and Tina Fey*A complete spectrum of techniques, from writing one-liners and stand-up routines, to finding a market for one's work*Step-by-step writing exercises accompanied with sample answers, so readers can practice and hone their skillsWith this guide, aspiring comics can learn how to sharpen their comedic talent and turn it into a well-paying pursuit.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Introduction	1	(6)
PART I: THE BASICS OF HUMOR WRITING
The Importance of Humor Writing	7	(12)
Why We Laugh	19	(17)
The Recipe for Humor	36	(25)
PART II: HUMOR WRITING TECHNIQUES
POW: Play on Words	61	(28)
More POW: The Simple Truth and the Take-Off	89	(20)
POW Brainstorming Techniques	109	(16)
The Next Giant Step: Reverses	125	(13)
The Harmony of Paired Elements: Phrases, Words, Statistics, and Aphorisms	138	(12)
Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered: Triples	150	(13)
Realism, Exaggeration, and Understatement	163	(18)
Funny Words and Foul Language	181	(18)
PART III: WRITING HUMOR FOR SPECIFIC MARKETS
Testing, Testing, One, Two, Three: Writing Humor for Speeches	199	(23)
Stand-Up or Sit Down: Humor for Live Entertainers	222	(30)
Print Humor: Columns, Articles, and Filters	252	(16)
Saw the Picture, Loved the Gag: Humor for Cartoons and Greeting Cards	268	(19)
The Scarce Comedy: Writing for TV Sitcoms	287	(16)
We Mean Business	303	(12)
Teach, Learn, and Laugh	315	(12)
That's a Wrap	327	(6)
Appendix: Glossary	333	(4)
Index	337