Comedy Writing and Humor Theory Study Guide

Flashcards covering comedy theory, joke construction, key terminology, and related readings from Mark Shatz, Mel Helitzer, Judy Carter, and contemporary comedy articles.

Comedy writing secrets (cws)

A comedy text written by Mark Shatz with Mel Helitzer covering the basics of humor, joke writing, and comedy theory.

Patricia Keith-Speigel

A researcher cited regarding why we laugh, specifically identifying superiority and surprise as key factors.

Freud

A psychoanalytic theorist referenced in the discussion of why we laugh.

Peter McGraw

The humor theorist associated with the benign violation theory of why we laugh.

Benign Violation

A humor theory formulated by Peter McGraw explaining the psychological trigger for laughter.

MAPP

An acronym representing the four key elements of comedy: Material, Audience, Performer, and Purpose. In chapter 3

THREES (Chapter 3)

A humor framework consisting of six elements: Target, Hostility, Realism, Exaggeration, Emotion, and Surprise. In chapter 3

POW

An abbreviation meaning Play on words, introduced in Chapter 4.

Malapropisms

A type of play on words (POW) involving the mistaken substitution of a word. In chapter 4

Homonym

A play on words (POW) category based on words that share the same sound or spelling but have distinct meanings. In chapter 4

Double Entendre

A play on words (POW) device involving a spoken phrase open to two distinct interpretations. In chapter 4

Simple Truth Runway (Take Off)

A comedic concept presented under POW Part 2 in Chapter 5.

The Comedy Bible Handout

A comedy guide by Judy Carter discussing joke mechanics including set-up, punchline, and attitude words.

Set-up and Punchline

The core structural components of a joke detailed in Judy Carter's Comedy Bible handout.

4 Attitude Words

The four specific comedic attitude words defined by Judy Carter: weird, scary, hard, and stooppid.

Three Comedy Essays

Essays written by Mark Twain, Douglas Adams, and Dave Barry.

Denis Campbell

Author of the article addressing successful comedians and mental health, noting surveyors found slightly higher tendencies among comedians in some conditions and metrics.

All the Ways 20 Comedians Make Money in NYC and L.A.

A work by Elise Czajkowski, Jesse David Fox, and Neil Janowitz examining how different comedians earn money through a variety of entertainment activities.