A Handful of Tips 31 –

                       Introducing Humour

Five of the best tips on how to prepare to tell a  joke

People enjoy a little nonsense now and then.  Humour depends on life experiences and these can vary greatly between countries and different social groups within a country.

A good story can help get your message across and keep your audience interested and amused. .

You should enjoy the story or joke yourself if you want to tell it well.

1. Select your jokes carefully

Consider  the background and experience of the audience. Take care not to offend. Sexist and off-colour jokes could upset some people so select jokes that are suitable for the audience and relevant to the occasion.

2. Collect good stories and jokes

When you hear a suitable joke or story, jot it down in a note book or make a digital note for future reference.  It will be readily available for an appropriate occasion.

3. Make it your story

Rewrite it. Make it topical, use local names and places. Revise it. Edit it. Rehearse it.

Act it out using facial expressions and gestures using a mirror. 

Put yourself into the story.

Tell stories against yourself , or against  groups of people or a profession. 

4.Practise it telling it to friends and colleagues 

Keep telling it until you get a good laugh every time. If there is a punch-line, pause, then make sure you deliver it loud and clearly.

5. Build your own joke library 

File these jokes so you can use them with relevant topical references at the next appropriate occasion.

-Geoffrey

“The essence of humour is that it should be contain an element of surprise.”