26 Styles of Humor to Amuse and Entertain (+ Examples)
Are you searching for various styles of humor to bring some extraWOW!Does it enhance your writing?
Using humor is an effective way to capture your reader’s interest and infuse your writing with a touch of creativity.
It fosters unity among individuals, connects diverse cultures, and brings humor to challenging situations.
Additionally, finding humor in the absurdities of daily existence is simply enjoyable.
We’ll demonstrate various humor styles and provide examples you can incorporate into your work to make your writing more engaging.
What defines Humor?
Humor, or humour for those in the UK, refers to any type of communication designed to elicit laughter and entertain. This can be achieved using literary techniques such as , , or through verbal and nonverbal expressions.
Humor serves as a vital tool for writers, infusing their work with energy and character. The type of humor employed varies based on the author’s tone, intended readers, and the genre of the piece.
26 Kinds of Humor (+28 Side-Splitting Examples)
Humor takes numerous forms and is highly subjective. While one individual may find something hilarious, another might consider it offensive or in poor taste.
Discover 26 styles of humor suitable for any writing scenario.
1. Physical Comedy (or Slapstick Humor)
Physical humor involves situations or characters that employ over-the-top actions for dramatic effect. Imagine ridiculous gestures, overly intense weeping or giggling, and exaggerated physical mishaps.
And we must also remember every one of theboinks, bonks, boops,and additional elements that define the essence of slapstick comedy.
For the ultimate masters of slapstick comedy, the Three Stooges stand unrivaled as the kings of laughter.
2. Deadpan (or Dry Humor)
Deadpan or dry humor is expressed without any change in facial expression or vocal inflection.
Dry humor appeals to certain individuals more than conventional jokes and comedic styles, as it typically demands greater intellectual engagement and subtle interpretation.
Steve Carell’s portrayal of Michael Scott in The Office showcases his talent for deadpan comedy. A standout moment is his commentary on Wikipedia:
3. Humor Through Wordplay (or Puns)
Wordplay humor generates comedy by exploiting the multiple interpretations of words and expressions.
Examples of wordplay include double entendres, pickup lines, and puns.
Prepared for an illustration? Do your best to keep the eye-rolling to a minimum.
“Are you a parking citation? Because ‘fine’ is spelled out all over you.”
“Are you a parking violation? Because ‘fine’ is spelled out all over you.”
4. Bathroom Comedy
Referred to as bathroom humor, this type of comedy often revolves around easily relatable topics. Jokes about flatulence, especially, tend to amuse young boys.
The *Captain Underpants* series relies heavily on bathroom-related jokes to amuse its young readers.
5. Clever Comedy
Witty humor tends to be sharp and intelligent, requiring the audience or reader to think critically to appreciate it.
One well-known instance of wit features Winston Churchill. According to the tale, Churchill encountered a woman during an evening dinner gathering.
Despite their opposing political views and mutual disdain, the woman arrogantly informs Churchill that he is “intoxicated to a repulsive degreeWithout hesitation, Churchill replies:
““My dear, you are unattractive, and to make matters worse, you are repulsively unattractive. But tomorrow I’ll be sober, while you’ll remain just as repulsively unattractive.”
““My darling, you are unattractive, and to make matters worse, you are repulsively unattractive. However, tomorrow I will be clear-headed, and you will remain just as repulsively unattractive.”
6. Witty Mockery
Satire employs humor to mock human weaknesses and imperfections. It tends to be more subtle and sharp rather than overtly hilarious. People frequently utilize satirical wit to highlight contemporary events or societal concerns.
In a conversation withThe Paris ReviewDorothy Parker, the renowned writer, famously remarked:
“I despise most wealthy individuals, but I believe I’d be absolutely charming at it.”
“I despise most wealthy individuals, but I believe I’d be absolutely charming at it.”
Discover additional information on satire at this location:
7. Morbid Wit
Dark humor refers to comedy that finds amusement in serious or distressing situations.
Certain individuals find humor in pain and sorrow to be emotionally cleansing, whereas others are deterred by what they perceive as an easy tactic for eliciting laughter.
On March 30, 1981, after being shot, former President Ronald Reagan addressed the surgeons in the operating room, saying,“Please say you’re Republicans.”
He also informed his daughter Maureen about the assassination attempt.“destroyed one of my finest suits.”
8. Awkward Comedy
We’ve all had those awkward, cringe-worthy moments, which is exactly why this style of comedy resonates so deeply in narratives.
Cringe humor unfolds in social settings, featuring awkward incidents such as stumbling before a crowd or accidentally texting your boss something intended for your partner.
Ben Stiller delivered numerous awkwardly humorous scenes in the popular film,Getting to Know The Fockers.
The dinner scene perfectly showcases the writers’ use of cringe humor during a tense meal with the prospective in-laws:
9. Witty Irony
Ironic humor depends on a striking disparity between the intended message and the words expressed.
A fitting instance of ironic humor is Emerson Moser. As Crayola’s ex-senior crayon maker, he produced more than 1.4 billion crayons despite being color blind.
10. Humor Through Observation
Observational humor derives its comedy from witty remarks about daily experiences. This style is common in stand-up routines and sketch performances, frequently serving as a subtle way to critique modern society.
For a great example of observational comedy, check out Jerry Seinfeld’s routine on the donut hole:
11. Humor Based on Current Themes
Topical humor revolves around contemporary events or popular trends taking place globally. It frequently appears in late-night talk shows, where political satire is employed to amuse viewers.
Shaun Eli is a New York City-based stand-up comedian known for crafting numerous monologues for late-night TV programs. Some of his unpublished material, which focuses on current events and satire, can be found on brainchampagne.com.
In March 2020, he crafted this joke as an illustration:
“During the summer, I’d approach women by casually mentioning, ‘Hey, just so you know, I’ve got central air conditioning.’”
Now it’s “I’ve got two liters of Purell.”
“During the summer, I’d approach women by casually mentioning, ‘Hey, just so you know, I’ve got central air conditioning.’”
12. Humor Focused on Self-Improvement
Laughter serves as a tool for certain individuals to enhance their joy and overall mental state when facing challenges.
That’s self-enhancing humor. It allows you to keep a balanced outlook, alleviate tension, or serve as a way to cope and preserve emotional well-being during difficult periods.
“Both laughter and tears arise from frustration and weariness. Personally, I choose laughter—it leaves less mess to deal with later.”
“Both laughter and tears arise from frustration and weariness. Personally, I choose laughter, as it leaves behind less mess to tidy up.”
An instance of self-enhancing humor might be,“I didn’t pass the driving test, but at least no one got hit by my car.”
13. Humor That Undermines Oneself
The phrase “self-defeating” directly translates to “to lower one’s dignity or self-respect.”Frequently employed as a conversation starter, it demonstrates that you aren’t overly serious about yourself.
Amid speculation that his father was purchasing votes, John F. Kennedy employed self-deprecating humor to redirect the conversation. During his address at the 1958 Gridiron dinner, he remarked:
“I just got this telegram from my generous father: ‘Dear Jack, only purchase the votes you need. I refuse to pay for an overwhelming victory.’”
“A wire just came in from my generous father, saying: ‘Dear Jack, don’t purchase any extra votes beyond what’s needed. I refuse to pay for a landslide victory.’”
14. Sophisticated Comedy
Highbrow humor is a comedic approach centered on witty references to subjects such as classical literature, history, and politics. Typically, it demands a degree of intellectual background or familiarity to be fully appreciated.
Joshua Hehe authored a piece discussing several examples of his preferred highbrow comedy. Among them was this instance:
Have you heard of Pavlov?
That sounds familiar.
15. Humor That Appeals to Simple or Unsophisticated Tastes
Lowbrow humor tends to rely on vulgarity, obscenity, and provocative content.
Many assume that lowbrow humor only appeals to those lacking skill or intellect.
Crafting jokes that are offensive or crude yet still amusing demands significant creativity and sharp wit. This is why even top comedians occasionally incorporate lowbrow humor into their performances.
Films such as *American Pie* or *Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back* are packed with crude, unsophisticated comedy.
Examples can also be seen in shows such as *It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia*.
16. Surreal (or Absurd Comedy)
Surreal humor incorporates aspects of surrealism, absurdity, or non sequitur. Its comedic effect arises from substituting rationality with irrational ideas, resulting in jokes that amuse through their sheer absurdity or unpredictability.
Why did the elephant choose to sit on the marshmallow?
He was determined not to tumble into the mug of steaming hot chocolate.
He was determined not to tumble into the mug of steaming cocoa.
17. Humor in a Single Line
One-liner humor consists of brief, witty remarks expressed in a single sentence or phrase.
A flawless setup is essential to ensure the punchline’s impactful words land with the greatest force.
“Nightly news programs open with ‘Good evening,’ only to follow up with stories that make it clear it’s anything but.”
“Nightly news programs open with the greeting ‘Good evening,’ only to follow it with stories that prove otherwise.”
18. Humor Through Personal Stories
Anecdotal humor revolves around recounting a past incident, typically one that is amusing and lighthearted. It serves to convey a message, highlight an idea, or simply engage an audience with a captivating tale.
During a wedding speech in *My Best Friend’s Wedding*, Julianne (Julia Roberts) shares a story about dreaming that “a psycho” was attempting to sabotage the bride and groom’s relationship.
To the wedding attendees, the tale seemed like a lighthearted and funny story, but it actually served as Julianne’s way of apologizing to the groom for her attempts to come between him and his partner.
19. Exaggerated Comedy
Hyperbolic humor is a comedic approach that amplifies someone’s emotions to an extreme degree for humorous effect.
William Shakespeare excelled in crafting exaggerated comedic elements.
In *Much Ado About Nothing*, Beatrice says to Benedick,”…I would prefer listening to my dog bark at a crow over a man vowing his love for me.”
This is how she demonstrates her low regard for love.
20. The Comedy of Burlesque
The term burlesque originates from the Italian wordburlesco,intended to mock.
Burlesque comedy thrives on satire, using over-the-top elements to generate laughter. It typically mocks solemn topics and frequently flirts with crossing the line into offensiveness.
The 2000 movie *O Brother, Where Art Thou?* humorously reimagines Homer’s *Odyssey*. Its protagonist embarks on a journey filled with eccentric figures and absurd challenges.
21. Comedic Absurdity
A farce is a comedic genre characterized by absurd situations, exaggerated events, and unlikely twists. The conversations are typically filled with ludicrous and over-the-top remarks.
The tale is so wildly ridiculous that viewers inevitably find themselves laughing at its absurdity.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation delivers nonstop farcical comedy, and the iconic squirrel scene stands out as a highlight.
22. Witty and Concise Humor
Witty and concise, epigrammatic humor relies on irony and paradox to deliver sharp satire or insightful remarks. For instance, a classic demonstration of epigrammatic humor might be:
The fastest method to double your cash is to fold it over and place it back into your pocket.
*Poor Richard’s Almanac* offers a wealth of witty, concise humor. Take this brilliant example:
“A secret remains safe among three only when two are no longer alive.”
“A secret remains safe only when two out of three are dead.”
23. Humor in Parody
Parodic humor involves mimicking and ridiculing an original piece of work or individual, often to create a humorous outcome.
Watch Libido Killer by Penn and Kim Holderness. This spoof is based on Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
24. Hostile Humor
Aggressive humor frequently serves as a tool to belittle or threaten individuals by targeting them in jokes. Those who use it often disguise their remarks as harmless teasing.
The Comedy Central celebrity roasts feature humor that is often sharp and confrontational.
25. Affiliative Humor
In contrast, affiliative humor is uplifting, playful, and welcoming, fostering a feeling of unity among people.
For instance, a lighthearted private joke shared between friends, or a clever remark during a work gathering that eases tension and sparks laughter.
26. Unexpectedness & Disparity
Laughter is often achieved through the use of surprise and incongruity, two of the most effective techniques.
A surprise is an unforeseen occurrence that catches us off guard. Its aim is to provoke an immediate and spontaneous reaction. Surprises can be positive or negative, but their defining trait is that they are never anticipated.
Incongruity occurs when something feels out of place in its environment or clashes with our understanding of reality. The core idea is inconsistency. Surprise arises from deviation from expectations, but if that surprise also feels off or misplaced, then it becomes incongruous.
For our final illustrations, consider the popular television sitcom, Friends. The creators consistently mastered the art of drawing audiences back episode after episode.
The most unexpected moment could have been the season 4 finale, where the writers unveiled a hidden romance between Monica and Chandler.
For absurdity, Phoebe’s hit song,Stinky FelinePhoebe’s quirky nature springs to thought. Seriously, how many people would compose a tune about a stinky feline?
Ready to Explore Various Styles of Humor?
Humor can open up an entirely fresh perspective in your work.
Even if humor isn’t something you’ve tried before, our guide to various humor styles—complete with examples—will help you incorporate comedy into your writing.
Now is the moment to apply what you’ve recently learned.
In your upcoming prose or blog post, experiment with incorporating satire or situational humor and observe the direction it leads.
This article was first posted on November 26, 2021. It has since been revised to enhance clarity and thoroughness.
This article was first posted on November 26, 2021. It has since been revised to enhance clarity and thoroughness.
A highly productive independent writer and content strategy expert,Jennifer AylingShe laughed harder while crafting this post than she ever has with any other during her career.
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