How to be Funny On Purpose
by Edgar E Willis
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Book Summary Information
Author: Edgar E WillisContributor: Richard L Weaver 11
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-09-15
ISBN: 0973754524
Number of pages: 344
Publisher: And Then Some Publishing, LLC
Book Reviews of How to be Funny On Purpose
Book Review: Four Features Make This a Five-Star Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
How to be Funny on Purpose is an outstanding book. It is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind book on humor. There is so much more here than a book on how to construct jokes, even though that part of the book is excellent. The first thing that catches the reader's attention is the author's command of the whole history of humor in America-on the radio, on television, and on the Internet as well.
Whether the jokes come from professional humorists, writers of humor, the author's personal life, politicians, or the humor found in everyday life, the range is broad, the selections entertaining, and the jokes are funny.
The second feature that readers will notice is the author's accurate, sensitive, and thorough dissection of humor. Willis's description of the three main theories about the nature of funniness-the superiority theory, the incongruity theory, and the surprise theory-and the examples he uses to illustrate these theories, is fascinating as well as simply and clearly explained. Willis writes in a plain, direct, and vivid manner that is both engaging and captivating.
Just reading about the forms of funniness helps one not just realize the world of humor in which we live, but understand and appreciate a whole new world of humor that we so often overlook or fail to be sensitive to. This book educates, instructs, and delightfully adds to your knowledge and understanding.
The third feature of the book that helps make it outstanding is its main one: how to be funny on purpose, or, the construction and use of jokes. Willis's approach to developing jokes is clear, specific, well-illustrated and explained, and contagious. If his information doesn't make you want to try your hand at creating jokes-as you are reading the book-I would be surprised and shocked. This feature, alone, makes this book worth purchasing. The suggestions for using the Internet to find and create jokes are instructive and useful.
I might add that once you are aware of how jokes are constructed, you will become a more knowledgeable consumer. You will know what makes certain jokes work and others fail. You will know, too, the circumstances when jokes should be told and when they should not.
A final feature of the book is important as well, and this final feature could justify buying the book just as easily as the previous ones. This is a joke book. It is full of jokes; there are some on every page. Even the joke considered the best one in the world, as well as the runners-up, are included. The beauty of the book is in the scope, variety, and selection of jokes. Willis knows classic jokes, and he knows what jokes merit that label. By reading this book, you will become an expert judge as well.
So, if you are interested in the history and background of humor, if you are looking for a thorough analysis of the topic, if the construction of jokes draws your attention, or if you just want a joke book, this is a well-written, expertly documented, serious look at humor. Willis offers a priceless book that is immeasurable in reader satisfaction, unparalleled in its approach and thoroughness, incomparable in its coverage of jokes, and, in my mind, irreplaceable with respect to its ability to educate and instruct. I will treasure this book forever, and it will be a permanent part of my library. Whether you are a public speaker or someone who would like to give better speeches, a professional humorist or someone who would like to become a better professional, or just a person who enjoys humor, like myself, or someone who would like to find greater pleasure in humor, you will treasure this book as well. It is first-rate.
Summary of How to be Funny On Purpose
For centuries illustrious thinkers have speculated about what inspires the beguiling and uplifting sound of laughter. With their ideas in mind, Edgar Willis takes an innovative and sometimes startling approach to the subject. Its key element is a precise and practical set of instructions for turning the momentary flicker of an idea into a full-fledged and funny joke. He provides further enrichment with lively discussions of such relevant topics as: good jokes and bad ones, the often hilarious consequences of unintended humor, and the perils of being funny. Richard L. Weaver II adds informed insights into using the Internet to find and develop jokes. The result is a book of extraordinary reach and dimension. The tone is erudite without being stuffy. He uses hundreds of jokes to illustrate techniques of jokemaking and shares anecdotes about his adventures and misadventures with humor.The probing analyses of humor's complexities will challenge your capacity to perceive and understand. The value of this book to aspiring humorists is obvious. It can also guide teachers, preachers, and public speakers into using humor to add zest and attention-holding power to their presentations. Most importantly it can amplify the response and sharpen the appreciation of people who relish hearing funny stories, and that includes almost everyone. They have laughed at jokes before, but having read this book, they will laugh louder, for now they will know why they are laughing.Humor Books
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