Comedy Writing Tip #6: How to Write Jokes That Don't Suck (As Much)

Writing jokes that don't make people want to throw tomatoes is easier than you think - just follow these rules: 1) **The Surprise Principle** - Lead them down a familiar path then yank the rug: "I just got a pet snake... which is great because now my ex won't come near my apartment." 2) **The Rule of Three** - Two normal items, one absurd: "My hobbies include gardening, knitting, and screaming into the void at 3 AM." 3) **The Backwards Joke** - Punchline first: "I'm terrible at math - which is why I became a standup comedian. The pay is equally bad but there's no fractions." 4) **The Truth Twist** - Take something true and push it further: "My dating standards are low... at this point I'll settle for someone who knows how to mute on Zoom." 5) **The Callback** - Reference earlier jokes like you planned it all along. Pro Tip: If a joke bombs, just say "That one works better in the original German." On-Stage Line: "I'm not saying I'm bad at relationships, but my last partner gave me a 'Get Well Soon' card after our breakup." SOURCE: https://bit.ly/4kdwKCY