: Remove any jokes that feel forced or out of character for the piece.
: Extra words weigh down a joke. Make your writing as lean and tight as possible. Drafting Exercise: The "Humor Blueprint" Try this process for your first draft: Gag Humor
Think of your article as an escalating series of comedic "beats". : Remove any jokes that feel forced or
: Write as many funny sentences as possible based on your headline. Gag Humor
: Keep punchlines brief and surprising, placing them as close to the setup as possible.
: If you have to spend five paragraphs setting up a joke, you've likely lost the reader.
: Hard consonant sounds (like "spork") or quirky, specific details are often funnier than generic ones. 4. Common Pitfalls to Avoid