Humor writing requires all of the characteristics of good professional writing plus that additional X factor: being funny. Adding some wittiness into your professional business writing can help give you an advantage, but when not used correctly, can discredit your work. The following tips can help you be more effective at adding humor to your writing.
* Humor in your writing should not be the main focus, or main ingredient. Humor is used as filler, but not as the main topic. In other words, your main focus of the paper is the cake and your humor is the icing. Use it sparingly!
* When adding humor to your writing, you should write for a broader audience than you expect. Inside jokes and departmental slang will only be recognized by you and the few other people you work with on a day to day basis. If your writing is distributed to a wider audience other than the few people you work with, many people might not understand the joke, be confused, and possibly be offended.
* Don't make yourself look like a clown! You should avoid offensive language, racial slurs, and any other derogatory remarks. These jokes may be funny to you and a few co-workers, but if the writing would ever get into the hands of others, you may be looked on as immature, and not competent. You want other people to view you as a gifted writer who has the ability to add humor into your work effectively.
* Humor often comes through recognition, which is why repetition many times works. If you have a good joke or line of humor, don't be scared to use it multiple times throughout your paper.
* Avoid sarcasm at all costs. Although it may indeed be funny, it also can leave a bitter taste in the mind of the reader it if offends them.
Sources:
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/12/humor-skills/
http://www.writingclasses.com/CourseDescriptionPages/GenrePages.php/ClassGenreCode/HU
David,I enjoyed reading your blog. I felt that it was very well written and it sounded like it was your voice being heard. I also enjoyed the visuals that went along with your blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat example at the beginning. I think we are beginning to find a unique style for our blog. Remember that if you use a direct quote from a site, you need to use quotation marks and documentation. Overall I enjoyed reading and I look forward to your next post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your blog about when to use humor and when not to use it. I definitely would not use a joke, like your visual, in the work place (although it is extremely hilarious and still has me laughing). It is very important to know when to use humor and with whom it is okay to use such humor on. I think your blog is very well thought and gives a lot of very important key points on humor. Good Job.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed what you said about being careful of what you joke about. Putting your paper in the wrong hands can end badly in some cases. You did a great job of letting your voice shine through our writing and it was very easy to read with the bullets listed. Great Job David.
ReplyDeleteLove the rock, scissor, paper humor.
ReplyDeletethis was a great blog, man. I got my "laugh of the day" in the first paragraph and learned or at least was reminded of a thing or two in your asterisks. I couldn't agree with you more. (watch for typos)
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