Comedy

What is comedy?

A form of storytelling that uses humour to engage audiences and communicate ideas.

What can comedy do?

• Entertain

• challenge assumptions

• reflect social values

• critique society

• encourage new perspectives

What are comic conventions?

The tools composers use to create humour.

What is irony?

The audience knows more than a character.

What is hyperbole?

Exaggeration that creates an effect.

What is incongruity?

An unexpected contrast that surprises audiences.

What is wordplay?

Humour through language and puns.

What is repetition?

Repeated ideas become funnier and emphasise a point.

What is timing?

It controls audience response and builds humour.

What is escalation?

Situations become increasingly absurd or out of control.

What is slapstick?

Physical humour and exaggerated actions.

What are the 8 comic conventions?

• Irony

• hyperbole

• incongruity

• wordplay

• repetition

• timing

• escalation

• slapstick.

What are the types of comedy?

• Verbal

• situational

• romantic

• slapstick

• farce

• satire

• parody

• dark comedy.

What is verbal comedy?

Comedy created through language or speech.

What is situational comedy?

Humour created through situations.

What is romantic comedy?

Comedy involving romance and relationships.

What is slapstick comedy?

Physical comedy using exaggerated actions.

What is farce?

Comedy involving exaggerated or absurd situations.

What is satire?

Comedy used to critique society or social ideas.

What is parody?

Humour that imitates another work, style or genre.

What is dark comedy?

Comedy that uses serious or disturbing subjects for humour.

Why does context matter in comedy?

What audiences find funny changes across time, cultures and contexts.

How do composers adapt comedy?

• To reflect social values

• critique society

• challenge assumptions

• connect with audiences.