How to Write a Joke

Need to write something funny? Here's how you do it, broken down

photo: Robert de Bock

1. Defining the Term

A “joke” is any single line that’s funny. Could be a stand-alone one-liner. Could be the first beat of a stand-up bit. Could be the premise of a sketch. Could be a line in a movie script.

2. Subtext

The first thing you need to write a joke is subtext. You need something to say.

To find this, look at what’s on your m…