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How To Write Funny: Your Serious, Step-By-Step Blueprint For Creating Incredibly, Irresistibly, Successfully Hilarious Writing Paperback – April 18, 2014

by Scott Dikkers (Author)

4.5 797 ratings

Book 1 of 4: How to Write Funny

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Purchase options and add-ons

The Definitive Joke Writing Handbook

Learn comedy writing and how to write a joke with a simple comedy-writing and joke-writing formula you can use right now to write your own jokes.

See why Amazon reviewers call How to Write Funny "one of the best books on comedy writing" and "one of the best books on humor writing."

Author Scott Dikkers will show you how to write jokes. He’s a master joke writer, founder of the world’s most popular humor site TheOnion.com, #1 New York Times and #1 Amazon best-selling humor author, professional public speaker, and successful cartoonist. Scott created and leads The Onion” Training Center at the famed Second City in Chicago. His students have been hired for the top comedy writing jobs in TV and won dozens of Emmy Awards. He’s consulted with top entertainment companies like NBC, Comedy Central, and Pixar.

This easy-to-follow guide lays out a clear system and simple formula for how to write a joke that will get big, milk-coming-out-of-your-nose laughs, reliably and repeatably.

You'll learn...

• The 3 sure-fire ways to generate funny text

• The 11 different “Funny Filters” and how to use them to write jokes

• The secret to getting rid of writer's block—permanently

• And many more humor writing tips, tricks, and techniques

Table of Contents
1 Introduction
Use the techniques in this book to reliably create top-notch humor writing (page 11)

2 Your Brain’s Comedy Engine
Access both hemispheres of your brain to eliminate writer’s block and tap an endless reserve of comedy ideas (page 21)

3 The Humor Writer’s Biggest Problem
Overcome this one devastating obstacle to reach the widest possible audience (page 29)

4 How To Get Laughs
Understand the different kinds of laughs, and how to generate the best one (page 43)

6 The Secret Ingredient
Infuse your humor with this vital component to create writing that makes people laugh (page 57)

6 The 11 Funny Filters
Create any joke using the 11 fundamental building blocks of humor (page 67)

Funny Filter 1: Irony (page 68)
Funny Filter 2: Character (page 70)
Funny Filter 3: Shock (page 76)
Funny Filter 4: Hyperbole (page 80)
Funny Filter 5: Wordplay (page 83)
Funny Filter 6: Reference (page 88)
Funny Filter 7: Madcap (page 92)
Funny Filter 8: Parody (page 90)
Funny Filter 9: Analogy (page 100)
Funny Filter 10: Misplaced Focus (page 104)
Funny Filter 11: Metahumor (page 106)

7 Using The Funny FiltersLayer the building blocks to create increasingly hilarious jokes (page 113)

8 Process OverviewMaster this simple system to become a prolific humor writer (page 137)

If you've wondered how you can start writing jokes, how to tell jokes to your friends, how to add humor to your writing, how to add jokes in a speech, or how to add humor to your presentation, this book spells out the simple joke writing formula professionals use.How to Write Funny is for you whether you want to find a comedy writing job or just want to learn how to tell a joke.

Click "Look inside" to see more!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Scott Dikkers is a founding editor of The Onion and #1 New York Times best-selling author. He co-wrote and edited The Onion's Our Dumb Century, which has sold more than a half-million copies and was awarded the Thurber Prize for American Humor. He heads up the "Writing with the Onion" training program at The Second City in Chicago.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 18, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 146 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1499196121
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1499196122
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.33 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #40,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #49 in Parody
- #49 in Writing Skill Reference (Books)
- #65 in Self-Help & Psychology Humor

Customer Reviews:
4.5 797 ratings

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Scott Dikkers

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Scott Dikkers is the #1 New York Times bestselling author who founded TheOnion.com and the AV Club. He co-wrote and edited The Onion's "Our Dumb Century," which debuted at #1 on Amazon, has sold more than a half-million copies, and won the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

Scott Dikkers' book "How to Write Funny," along its followups "How to Write Funnier," "How to Write Funniest" and "How to Write Funny Characters," outline the process he uses to write popular and award-winning humor. For free comedy-writing tips and inspiration visit Scott on Youtube at youtube.com/howtowritefunny

Customer reviews

797 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book objective and helpful for writing humor. They appreciate the clear advice and tips for understanding the basics and mechanics of comedy writing. The book is described as informative, straightforward, and actionable. Readers describe it as an engaging read with high-quality hand-drawn illustrations.

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Humor Advice Writing quality Ease of use Enthralling read Pacing

59 customers mention "Humor"48 positive11 negative

Customers find the book an objective guide on writing humor. They say it outlines what makes things funny in a clear way and has helped them streamline their writing process. The author is described as a legend in comedic writing.

"...Humor is a serious matter. There is a science behind it (or a method) that anybody who has laughed can relate to...." Read more

"...Next, you strengthen your fundamental understanding of humor (paint the fence) and polish your word selection (sand the deck) ...." Read more

"This book provides a very good structure to humour writing and tools. it is easy to read. Very practical. I liked ti" Read more

"...writing and sales presentations, there are also some formulas for creating successful humor. I enjoyed the book and learning a few new things." Read more

34 customers mention "Advice"31 positive3 negative

Customers find the book helpful for learning the basics of comedy writing. It provides useful tips and practical steps. Readers appreciate the blueprint it provides for concise and funny writing. Overall, it's a good refresher training that helps them improve their writing skills.

"...aside, Scott Dikkers is a legend in comedy writing and his instruction is unparalleled...." Read more

"...it is easy to read. Very practical. I liked ti" Read more

"...Among other things, the book has provided exercises and prompts that have resulted in some very productive writing sessions for me...." Read more

"...But for a quick crash course on certain methods and a little motivation and examples (mostly Onion headlines) it doesn't hurt...." Read more

29 customers mention "Writing quality"25 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality and find it helpful for writing jokes. They say it's a must-read for anyone interested in writing or improving their writing. The advice is reliable, clearly expressed, and they enjoy the subtext-focused approach. Readers also mention the book is easy to read and understand, providing honest and straightforward guidance.

"...Each chapter contains actionable goals and small yet subtle exercises that will force pen to paper...." Read more

"...it is easy to read. Very practical. I liked ti" Read more

"...Instead, it gives you frank and honest advice about what to expect and how to write well-written comedy...." Read more

"...provided exercises and prompts that have resulted in some very productive writing sessions for me...." Read more

8 customers mention "Ease of use"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand. They say it explains writing clearly and breaks it down into actionable steps.

"...isn't anything humorous about it along the way, but it is pretty straight forward in telling you what writing comedy is all about...." Read more

"...Great. Now I can do it." That's what this book is. It's short and simple and basically explains Scott's "funny filters," which are the building..." Read more

"...Scott breaks it down to a very easy level, so for someone totally new to comedy writing, you'll get a lot out of this book...." Read more

"...the comedy writing process on a metacognitive level, but with simple actionable steps for the comedy writer to follow...." Read more

5 customers mention "Enthralling read"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an entertaining and engaging read with useful filters that make learning fun.

"...of Subtext, Theme and then the 11 Funny Filters, have made it a blast to learn...." Read more

"...Excellent, entertaining, and easy read! I can’t wait to double back and get started on the action steps!" Read more

"...It's not only a fun little exercise but it helps for making sure your own subtexts make sense when writing funny. Thanks, Scott!" Read more

"Dickers does not dicker around. He entertainingly shows...." Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-structured with good examples for consistent material. They appreciate the high-quality hand-drawn illustrations.

"...Did I mention the high quality hand-drawn scribble illustrations.... this is what happens when you tie pencils to the legs of a chicken and wave a..." Read more

"...Very well thought out and clearly expressed." Read more

"...Plenty of techniques and examples for generating consistent material. An essential for getting more "structure" to your writing...." Read more

"...writing humor and makes everything approachable and clear, with solid examples for each "funny filter." Highly recommended" Read more

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Leonardo Wild
CLEAR AND TO THE POINT
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
After watching (and not finishing) a very bad comedy on Netflix, I frankly got a bit upset about why there seems to be so much crap humor and just like the proverbial writer who reads a bad novel, I said to myself "I can do better than that." Except, I've never tried to tackle writing humor in English. (I have published a novel in Spanish, which some people do consider to be funny.) Humor, I believed, especially in a language that is not your first (nor last), is like those babies that arrive on top of chimneys carrying in a cloth by a stork.
Not so, Scott Dickers tells us in this book on how to write funny. Humor is a serious matter. There is a science behind it (or a method) that anybody who has laughed can relate to.
This book not only opened my eyes to the fact that maybe my harebrained idea to jump into writing humor was, after all, possible. His concepts of the importance of Subtext, Theme and then the 11 Funny Filters, have made it a blast to learn. I highly recommend it even if you think you know what you're doing or are trying to improve your skills. Or, if like me, you believe that comic writing comes delivered in stork beaks to the top of chimneys.
No chimney, no delivery.

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Daniel Gibbons
The Undisputed Champ
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
The real value of this book is its power to make you actually start writing. Each chapter contains actionable goals and small yet subtle exercises that will force pen to paper.

Think of it this way: The book is Mr. Miyagi and you are Daniel LaRusso. You begin with small exercises on how to overcome writer's block (wax on, wax off). Next, you strengthen your fundamental understanding of humor (paint the fence) and polish your word selection (sand the deck) . These small actions build on each other until one day, BAM! You’re kicking butt at the All-Valley Karate Championship … er, you know, writing comedy.

Outdated movie references aside, Scott Dikkers is a legend in comedy writing and his instruction is unparalleled. Reading this book WILL motivate you to write more and WILL sharpen your skills. Very few books receive my wholehearted endorsement - but ‘How To Write Funny’ easily makes the mark. And in the eternal words of Ron Swanson, “My recommendation is essentially a guarantee”.

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9 people found this helpful

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Carlos N.
Good structure
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book provides a very good structure to humour writing and tools. it is easy to read. Very practical. I liked ti

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One person found this helpful

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Matthew Eaton
Think You Can Write Funny? Think Again
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is where I reminded myself writing is a hard job and you must have passion if you want it to be your primary source of exposure.

This is an amazing book about writing comedy which, in and of itself, is not humorous. That isn't to say there isn't anything humorous about it along the way, but it is pretty straight forward in telling you what writing comedy is all about.

The biggest tip I learned is to not rely on writing alone to get you going in the humor field. I agree that if you can be funny in writing, you can be funny anywhere. However, this book reminds you again and again that writing comedy is hard and it is not something you can earn a healthy profit from. Instead, it gives you frank and honest advice about what to expect and how to write well-written comedy.

I hihgly recommend it to anyone, whether they are writers or people who enjoy good comedy. I refer to often and I know it will be a good staple of my library for years to come.

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16 people found this helpful

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J. Paul Henderson
It didn't make me laugh but I enjoyed it.
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
As a part-time essayist and part-time public speaker, I've always been pretty good at getting a laugh. But there's always more to learn and I learned some things from this book. One thing I learned was just as in copy writing and sales presentations, there are also some formulas for creating successful humor. I enjoyed the book and learning a few new things.

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3 people found this helpful

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H Anderson
Very practical, helpful guide
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
I found this book to be helpful. I like practical advice, the kind where you think "Oh, that's how that works. Great. Now I can do it." That's what this book is. It's short and simple and basically explains Scott's "funny filters," which are the building blocks for many different types of comic writing. I bought this book right around the time that I signed up for a local stand up comedy class. The class has been great, and this book has helped me in the class, and maybe even given me an advantage. Both the class and the book emphasize the importance of writing regularly. Among other things, the book has provided exercises and prompts that have resulted in some very productive writing sessions for me. I also emailed the author, Scott Dikkers, with a question, and he responded! I think he's very genuine about wanting to help people develop their careers in comedy, and this book is just the start of him pulling back the curtain and showing how it's done. I highly recommend it!

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6 people found this helpful

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Ben A
I suppose I should get back to writing something at least attempting funny now.
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2015
Verified Purchase
Fairly reliable advice for writing in the style of Onion articles and some of the methodology for coming up with ideas.

You are not going to find a ton more than that however. But for a quick crash course on certain methods and a little motivation and examples (mostly Onion headlines) it doesn't hurt. If you already have a comedy/humor guide in your collection this doesn't necessarily reveal anything you don't already know. I suppose I should get back to writing something at least attempting funny now.

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4 people found this helpful

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Kay Aye
Dope book for getting started in Comedy
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
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My comedy journey started last May and this book has been pretty essential to improving my process of writing jokes.

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José Huerta Ibarra
Decepcionante
Reviewed in Mexico on January 14, 2024
Verified Purchase
Un libro sobre el humor escrito de forma seria sin contribuir nada a lo que ofrece. Puede servir para ser portero, mozo, carnicero, plomero, oficinista o cualesquiera otro oficio o trabajo. Páginas van y páginas vienen sin que aporte nada sobre el tema como no sea que hay que dedicar tiempo y esfuerzo para reallzar la tarea de elaborar textos con humor.

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Douglas Lobo
Too much theory
Reviewed in Brazil on February 14, 2021
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The author talks as if writing comedy was rocket science. A lot of theory, few pratical advices. Not a good book.

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Anna P!
I adore this
Reviewed in Italy on January 30, 2023
Verified Purchase
I think I’m going to first read all the series and then start to apply the theory for my new book.
It will take time but it’s worth it!

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Amazon Customer
Interesting observations and techniques
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
A solid intro to comedy writing which takes a more unique and robust approach relative to this type of work. Interesting if you are curious about comedy in general and not just in writing it.

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Ranjit Kulkarni
Decent
Reviewed in India on December 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
Nice framework for writing humour but primarily focused on jokes. The funny filters are very useful but the examples tend to get convoluted in later half.

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