The Straw Man Meets His Match: Six Arguments for Studying Humor in English Classes

Authors: Alleen Pace Nilsen and Don L. F. Nilsen
Source: English Journal; March 1999; Volume 88, Issue 4, Page 34
- Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.

Recognition of the effectiveness of humor as a teaching tool.
Development of appreciation for cultural nuances in humor amongst students.
Encouragement of students to engage critically with historical comedic figures.
Example from New York Magazine (July 17, 1995) highlighting the lower sophistication of contemporary comedians compared to earlier figures like Berles and Woollcott.

Initial interest in humor was to make grammar lessons more engaging.
Humor provides an alternative method for teaching grammar effectively through analysis of humorous mistakes.
Utilizing Richard Lederer’s works, "Anguished English" and "More Anguished English," as resources to show common errors in language.
Engaging students with humorous content reduces inhibition in writing and speaking.
Humor in classroom activities enhances students' understanding of literary analysis.

Increasing opportunities for humor-related careers, especially in writing and entertainment.
Data from 1995: 59 television comedies produced, requiring 500-600 scriptwriters.
Comparison to previous decades and the evolution of the comedy profession.
Essential skills gained from humor studies apply across various professions.
Example: Organizations utilizing humor for effective communication.
Dr. William Fry’s research indicates humor can have physiological benefits, such as releasing adrenaline that enhances alertness and cognitive function.

Humor often tackles sensitive subjects, creating discomfort but also providing opportunities for discussion.
Necessity of teaching students about underlying social issues including censorship.
Use of real-life examples of censorship cases (e.g., vanity license plates, controversial advertisements).
Importance of humor in fostering student dialogue around censorship issues.

Acknowledgment that humor can hurt, but it can also be a tool for connection.
Comparison of humor’s societal role to that of tools used in construction.
Value of humor in creating an inclusive environment for discussing differences and cultural dynamics.
Examples illustrating the balance between hurt and joy in humor execution, such as Dick Gregory's performance bridging race conversations.
Importance of helping students navigate the complexities of humor involving stereotypes and social commentary.

Acknowledgment that teachers may not be comedic experts.
Students often excel in humor creation compared to instructors, showcasing an opportunity for participatory learning.
Humor creation is dependent on adaptation rather than solely original creation.
Classroom activities to engage students in writing parodies or humorous takes on traditional narratives.

Group activity to create parodies of folk tales or new narratives based on classic stories.
Suggested resources:
- Jon Scieszka's "The Stinky Cheese Man And Other Fairly Stupid Tales"
- "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs"
Types of humor patterns:
- Tom Swifties: “My name is Tom,’ he said swiftly.”
- License Plate Humor: 10SNE1 = Tennis, Anyone?
- Light Bulb Humor: “How many New Yorkers does it take to screw in a light bulb?”
- Initialism Humor: C.O.L.T.S. = Count On a Loss This Sunday.
- Good News/Bad News structure.

Assign students to find humor-related news stories or clippings for presentation and discussion in class.
Consider focusing on themes such as censorship and social issues within the humor collected.

Creation of displays with humorous symbols instead of traditional icons reflecting integrity or reverence.
Use of visual humor from the past and present as organizational tools in the classroom.
Showcase of humorous merchandise such as postage stamps featuring comic characters.

Encourage student research on varied humor topics to foster analytical skills that can contrast serious academic themes. Potential topics:
- Internet humor phenomena
- Analysis of children's authors' humor styles
- Cultural significance of popular jokes
- Humor in advertisements and media

The instructor's role is crucial in leading humor studies.
Humor should be seen as a critical educational tool that can enhance engagement, improve communication skills, and provide insight into societal issues while effectively navigating censorship and sensitivity.