How to be Funny On Purpose
by Edgar E. Willis
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Book Summary Information
Author: Edgar E. WillisContributor: richard L Weaver 11
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-09-15
ISBN: 0973754532
Number of pages: 344
Publisher: And Then Some Publishing, LLC
Book Reviews of How to be Funny On Purpose
Book Review: A Book of Substance on How to Form and Tell Jokes
Summary: 5 Stars
When I selected How to be Funny on Purpose, I was looking for a good book that would offer specific suggestions for telling jokes. Reading Willis's book was a terrific experience, not because he accomplishes exactly what he sets out to do (instruct you in how to put together and tell jokes) but because he puts all the instructions he offers into a meaningful, understandable, and useful framework with numerous examples to explain it all.
To establish the foundation, Willis discusses how the delivery and reception of jokes involves three major elements: first, the conception of an idea or a group of ideas presented to an audience - the expressed idea. Second, prompted by the joke maker, the audience arrives at an idea of its own - the inferred idea. Third, the combination of the expressed idea and the inferred idea produces a feeling of self-satisfaction, the recognition of an incongruity, or surprise. It is only when this substructure is well established that Willis discusses how to find a starting point, determine the initial idea's role, develop a bridge to the inferred idea, select and arrange ideas, and evaluate the result.
Just like an effective teacher, Willis guides readers carefully step-by-step. With just a little experience, the line between steps disappears and you quickly begin moving from a beginning idea to a polished expressed idea in one instantaneous flash. This book moves you to that point quickly and competently, and the process becomes glorious fun, as Willis, himself, proclaims. And when you start to struggle, Willis offers approaches and devices to get the wheels of invention moving.
Effective joke telling is a craft, and it requires thoughtful preparation and sufficient knowledge. Willis offers the directions, background, expertise, and gentle guidance through the process. He moves joke telling from craft to art form.
Books of substance on the topic of humor are a rare exception to the norm. This book is that rare exception. I am certain it will exceed your expectations, just as it did mine.
Summary of How to be Funny On Purpose
For centuries illustrious thinkers have speculated about what inspires the beguiling and uplifting sound of laughter. With their ideas in mind, Edgar Willis takes an innovative and sometimes startling approach to the subject. Its key element is a precise and practical set of instructions for turning the momentary flicker of an idea into a full-fledged and funny joke. He provides further enrichment with lively discussions of such relevant topics as: good jokes and bad ones, the often hilarious consequences of unintended humor, and the perils of being funny. Richard L. Weaver II adds informed insights into using the Internet to find and develop jokes. The result is a book of extraordinary reach and dimension. The tone is erudite without being stuffy. He uses hundreds of jokes to illustrate techniques of jokemaking and shares anecdotes about his adventures and misadventures with humor.The probing analyses of humor's complexities will challenge your capacity to perceive and understand. The value of this book to aspiring humorists is obvious. It can also guide teachers, preachers, and public speakers into using humor to add zest and attention-holding power to their presentations. Most importantly it can amplify the response and sharpen the appreciation of people who relish hearing funny stories, and that includes almost everyone. They have laughed at jokes before, but having read this book, they will laugh louder, for now they will know why they are laughing.Humor Books
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