British Comedy Guide

Writing for standup

I did a search of this website for this topic and came up empty so I though I'd ask. Does anyone have any tips and tricks for writing jokes be they story based or one liners to do with standup? Obviously I realize its impossible to right a joke and know its funny in a vacuum without an audience but I have found that I do have the most trouble with the writing of the actual material not the performing side of it.

I've read a few books on the subject and probably the most useful one was Be a great stand up by Logan Murray. Has anyone read it as well? Anything to add? Much obliged.

Loads of tips you ain't lookin hard enough.

If you want to test stuff stick it in critique.

Tips.

1 End on a punchline.
2 Have a clear structure for your jokes, that tells one story.
3 Lists of 3 where the 3rd one changes the order work.
4 Strip out all extraneous material.
5 Punchlines should be a surprise.

Post some stuff up, I think its easier to explain when we can see what youre working with

Ah, I just all read all
that back and it was pretty much a
10'000 word essay, and semi off topic.

Nevermind.

Cheers, I'll have another look through the forums

Quote: Whatever @ February 22 2012, 9:34 PM GMT

I did a search of this website for this topic and came up empty so I though I'd ask. Does anyone have any tips and tricks for writing jokes be they story based or one liners to do with standup?

Why bother? Nobody else seems to these days. Just make up a silly story about missing the bus or smoking or summat like that. You could get five minutes out of e-cigarettes.

Quote: Safdar Shah @ March 2 2012, 4:42 AM GMT

Why bother? Nobody else seems to these days. Just make up a silly story about missing the bus or smoking or summat like that. You could get five minutes out of e-cigarettes.

Oy! You taking the piss out of my 'smoking an e-cigarette on a bus' joke?!!

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