How to Write a Funny Short Story

 

How do you write a funny short story?

Yes, how do you write a short story that can make people laugh their heads off?

If you were looking for a funny story to read, try reading this one:

The Flying Policeman

I am sure it will make you laugh a great deal. It does make me laugh.

However, the purpose of this article is to show you how to write a funny story. It is easy-peasy.

The first thing you have to bear in mind is your goal. What is your goal as a writer?

Your goal should be to write a piece that is so ridiculous that it makes people laugh. After ascertaining your goal, you set out to laugh, whoops, I meant write.

Next think of what makes people laugh. What is it about jokes that makes people laugh? Usually, it is the portrayal of characters, things, or situations in an exaggerated and ridiculous manner.

When normal, everyday situations are given ridiculous or exaggerated descriptions, the result is humorous.

Let us consider one common element of humour: caricature.

Caricature is the exaggeration of someone’s characteristics for humorous effect. Merely exaggerating one aspect of a person’s physical appearance can make a person laugh out loud.

Caricature aims at creating vivid mental images by using metaphors or similes.

For example, in describing a character for a serious story, you might say:

 

Jane had unusually large legs.

 

However, in caricature, you might say:

 

Jane’s legs looked like two tree stumps.

This single description on its own is enough to make some folks laugh. But some folks like my dad will just frown and pout angrily and probably say, “Why in God’s name are you insulting the lady?”

So let us take our description further:

 

One day, my cat actually mistook them for the rough bark of a tree and almost started to sharpen her nails on them, but sense was beaten into her when Jane let out a fantastic scream.

 

Ah. How about that?  Funny, eh?

Still not funny enough? Okay.

 

One hot afternoon, Jane was seated on the balcony of my bedroom window, her legs dangling over the edge. Dad was entering the house with mom below. Since my room was on the second floor, from below, he could only see her dangling legs.

“Honey,” he said to my mother, “When did Martha buy a pet?”

“What do you mean dear?” mother asked, puzzled.

“I can see two legs of an elephants dangling over her balcony.”

 

You just had to laugh there. Seriously, you did.

Caricature is not the only way of writing a funny short story.

There is also the use of irony and other intriguing techniques. The Ultimate Short Story Writing Course fully exploits all these ways of writing a funny short story.

Watch This Space for more information on this.

I am sure you can, at least, write a story that will put a smile on the most callous of souls!

 

 

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