Your Seventh Sense: How to Think Like a Comedian (Paperback)

~ Karyn Ruth White (Author), (Author) "Can you learn to be funny or is it something you're born with?..." (more)
Key Phrases: humor heroes, humor buddy, seventh sense, Robin Williams, Seventh Sense Journal, Woody Allen (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Want to be the last comic standing? You can! Learn how to think like a comedian and find the funny in everyday life.

For the last seven years Jay Arthur, a master practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) has been studying and reverse engineering how comedians think. With his co-author Karyn Ruth White, a standup comedian and professional speaker, they have refined the process and come up with the essential skills of how to think like a comedian.

In Your Seventh Sense you'll find a step-by-step guide to creating and developing humor. There are four main steps:

1. Prospecting for Humor – First learn to develop your comedy radar.
2. Mining the Humor - The next step involves creative lateral thinking. Comedians ask themselves: "What's this like?" How are women like cars? How is dating like a laundromat? Learning comedy is a great way to develop your creativity.
3. Refining the Humor - Next, comedians distill their thinking down into the traditional joke format: setup-punchline-punchword. "Take my wifeÂ…please!
4. Presenting Humor – Finally, determine what point of view, attitude, and character would be best for this particular joke. Are you mad, sad, or glad? Is it hard, weird, scary, or stupid? What do you do when you bomb?

This book also has detailed examples from actual workshops about how to develop a joke from start to finish. There is even a chapter about how to add humor to any speech; it's ideal for corporate executives or anyone who speaks to groups. Anyone can do it. ItÂ’s up to you to decide how far youÂ’ll take your comedy career...Maybe just to a backyard barbecue or all the way to a comedy club.

About the Author

Karyn Ruth White, Denver, Colorado, has been a stand-up comedian and professional speaker for 20 years. She teaches others to use humor to manage stress and better cope with life. Karyn presents funny keynote programs and business-related motivational humor nationally.

Jay Arthur, the KnowWare® Man, Denver, Colorado, is a master practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming and has studied and reverse engineered how comedians think over the last seven years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: KnowWare International / LifeStar (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884180272
• ISBN-13: 978-1884180279
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #115,555 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide not only for aspiring comedians, October 30, 2004

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Jay Arthur is a master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Karyn Ruth White is a standup comedian and professional speaker. In Your Seventh Sense: How To Think Like A Comedian these two quite diverse experts work together to offer the reader an introduction of the essential skills required to "think like a comedian". Chapters address how to hone one's comedy radar, learning to refine one's act before taking it public, transforming random ideas into belly-laugh gold, and much more. Each two-page spread offers solid advice on one page, and a humorous or inspirational comedy-related quote on the other. An excellent guide not only for aspiring comedians, but also for those seeking to learn just enough of the art to liven up their speeches and presentations.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Seventh Sense: How to Think Like a Comedian, March 8, 2007

By	Peace Now (Ventura, Ca.) - See all my reviews

I sent this book to my son who is in prison, as he has a great love of humor. He has written me twice thanking me, as it helps his spirit make it through the day. When his time is up he will leave it there to be passed among others to help them in that way. One day I pray that we will have less prisons but more rehabs., understanding, helping, healing, with humor,etc.. smile of Peace Marlene Frabasilio P.S. Thanks to Karyn Ruth

3 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An ideal book for future stand-up comedians., July 27, 2005

By	Chris Sellick (South Australia,Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I enjoyed this book thoroughly.Both authors explain everything in simple English.Nothing boring here.The are many ideas in this book to help develop more material.The book holds your attention and the jokes throughout are enjoyable.This is a definite book that you should add to your collection if stand-up comedy is your goal.