EQ: WHAT LITERARY ELEMENTS CAN AN AUTHOR USE TO CREATE HUMOR?

Literary Elements That Create Humor

1. Comic Language: the use of nonsense words where they don’t belong

Pun: a play on words; using words in the wrong context for some type of effect (single words, phrases, idioms, familiar analogies, etc.)

Some authors create words for comic effect. He said he was so tired that he felt like

a Tickeria.

Which element of humor does the picture represent? How do you

know?

Comic Language

Pun(horse vs. hoarse)

Read the comic strip. Explain how it illustrates the term “flip flop” as a pun.

The mom says, “I found your other sandal.”

The son replies, “The irony is that it’s a flip flop.”The use of “flip flop” indicates

the act of falling as well as the type of shoe.

“‘PowerPoint’ POISONING” is an example of which element of

humor? Explain your response.

(Comic Language) There is no such condition as PowerPoint poisoning.

2. Verbal Irony: a contrast

between what is said &

what is actually meant

(sarcasm)

3. Exaggeration/Hyperbole: the use of overstatement for comic effect

4. Situational Irony: a situation that is the opposite of what we expect or what seems appropriate

“Oh! The Irony!” Which element of humor is being used?

Comic Language, Verbal/Situational Irony, or Exaggeration?

The Senator hit the ceiling when he read the headlines.

He’s so thin that if he turned sideways, he would disappear.

It (the cold weather) stabbed like a driven nail.A teenager waits patiently to take his/her

driving portion of his/her driver’s license exam, but during the exam, hits a car from behind

Sam said, “Nick played a great game; he struck out three times.”

Carla called the child “Grace” after she tripped over the toy.

Which element of humor is being used?Comic Language, Verbal or Situational Irony, or

Exaggeration?The Senator hit the ceiling when he read the

headlines. (Exaggeration)He’s so thin that if he turned sideways, he would

disappear. (Exaggeration)It (the cold weather) stabbed like a driven nail.

(Exaggeration)A teenager waits patiently to take his/her driving

portion of his/her driver’s license exam, but during the exam, hits a car from behind. (Situational Irony)

Sam said, “Nick played a great game; he struck out three times.” (Verbal Irony)

Carla called the child “Grace” after she tripped over the toy. (Comic Language: Pun)

Which type of irony does the comic strip illustrate?

Explain how the comic strip uses exaggeration.

• (Situational irony) He studied very hard but forgot everything.

• The idea of the character’s brain jumping from his head represents the use of exaggeration. This could not happen.

5. Understatement: presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is

She's a little sensitive." - Describing Moaning Myrtle in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'.

"Okay. Successful test." - Just after annihilating a cleaning cart in 'Ghostbusters'.

6. Dialect

Usually exaggerated for humorous effectMay include slang, idioms, and pronunciation

unique to a region or cultureCharacter speaking in dialect may be

misunderstood by other characters, thus creating humorous circumstances

Southern dialect is a favorite

Things a True Southerner Knows:The difference between a hissie fit and a

conniption.Pretty much how many fish make up a mess.What general direction Cattywumpus is.That "gimme sugar" don't mean "pass me the

sugar."That when somebody's "fixin" to do

something, it won't be long.

Sometimes it just doesn’t

translate well.

7. Satire: a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule.

What point is the cartoonist trying to make?

Summarizing: Writers create humor through the use of …

Comic Language – including punsExaggeration – including hyperboleVerbal ironySituational ironyUnderstatementDialectSatire