Comedy Writing

Inspiration & Exploration

Comedy starts with paying attention. Begin by watching stand-up specials on YouTube — search for "stand-up comedy for beginners" or check out classic sets from comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Hannah Gadsby, or Hasan Minhaj. Notice what makes each joke land: is it the timing, the surprise ending, or a relatable observation? Start a "funny notebook" — write down anything that makes you laugh or that strikes you as absurd, awkward, or weird. Read the comics section of a newspaper or browse Reddit's r/jokes. Visit a free open-mic night at a local SLC venue like Wiseguys Comedy Club to see live comedy up close. You don't have to perform yet — just watch and take notes. You're ready for the next step when you can name three comedy styles you find funny and have at least ten observations written in your notebook.

Tools & Techniques

Now learn the basic building blocks of written humor. The most important technique is the "setup and punchline" — the setup creates an expectation, the punchline breaks it in a surprising way. Watch YouTube videos on "how to write jokes" and "rule of three in comedy." Learn about other techniques: callbacks (returning to an earlier joke), misdirection (leading readers one way then going another), and exaggeration. Study how comic timing works in writing — short sentences hit harder. Try rewriting a boring sentence three different ways to make it funnier each time. The website Writing Excuses has free podcast episodes on humor in writing. You're ready for the next step when you can identify the setup and punchline in five jokes and explain why each one is (or isn't) funny.

First Creations

Write your first ten original jokes this week — quantity over quality. Pick one topic you know well: school lunch, SLC traffic, your pet, or Utah weather. Write five setup-punchline jokes about it. Then pick a completely different topic and write five more. Don't filter yourself — write the obvious jokes first, then push past them to find the unexpected angle. Read your jokes out loud to yourself; if you stumble, the wording probably needs work. Share one joke with a friend or family member and watch their reaction — did they smile? Pause in confusion? That feedback is valuable data. You're ready for the next step when you've written at least ten original jokes and identified which two or three felt the strongest.

Style Development

Now find your comedic voice — the perspective that makes your humor uniquely yours. Look at your best jokes: are they observational, self-deprecating, absurd, or story-based? Try writing in a few different styles to see which feels most natural. Experiment with longer humorous essays or anecdotes, not just one-liners. Read humor writers like David Sedaris or Samantha Irby for inspiration. Try writing a funny piece about something specific to Salt Lake City — the inversion, the Jell-O reputation, or canyon traffic — local specificity almost always makes humor stronger. Post a short funny piece on a platform like Tumblr or Medium where you can get real reader reactions. You're ready for the next step when you can describe your comedy voice in two sentences and have a favorite piece you've written.

Refine Your Craft

Refine your comedy writing by studying what separates good jokes from great ones. Record yourself reading your jokes out loud and listen back — does the rhythm feel right? Are any words unnecessary? Cut every word that doesn't earn its place. Study the concept of "comic compression": great jokes say a lot with very few words. Research "editing comedy writing" on YouTube. Join an online humor writing group or submit to a comedy writing site like McSweeney's Internet Tendency for honest feedback. Try rewriting your three weakest jokes until they genuinely make you laugh. Consider attending a Wiseguys open-mic or Utah comedy event to hear how other local writers work. You're ready for the next step when you can take a mediocre joke and edit it into something noticeably sharper.

Portfolio Piece

Create a polished comedy portfolio piece — a short set, a humorous essay, or a series of related jokes around one strong theme. This should be your best writing, fully edited and timed if it's a set. Aim for two to three minutes of material (about 300–400 words). Choose a topic you know deeply and find genuinely funny. Read it aloud multiple times and cut anything that slows it down. Submit it to an online humor publication, post it publicly, or perform it at an open-mic night in SLC. Write a brief bio that describes your comedy style in two or three sentences — you'll use this for submissions. You're ready for the next step when you have a finished, polished piece that you've shared with at least one real audience — even an audience of one.