1. Thou Shalt not worry approximately Offending

First and maximum vital, in case you’re overly worried approximately what others will assume, don’t strive your hand at humorous. Senses of humor are like living room couches: all and sundry has a one of a kind opinion on what should be sitting within the middle of the room.

Certain, stay true for your voice and integrity. Don’t write simply to surprise. But you’re going to get hold of those emails out of your classmate in seventh grade, who you haven’t talked to when you consider that, writing to inform you that your line approximately escaping R.E.A.S (rapidly expanding Ass Syndrome) became morally offensive. It’s going to manifest.

I conflict mightily with this commandment, as i have this nagging problem that I want absolutely everyone to like me. But is my dedication to telling reality in an unique way or is it to the web-lurkers who best throw grenades, then conceal?

2. Thou Shalt take note of the Mundane

Jerry Seinfield wasn’t humorous because he ought to do impersonations, or changed into overly lively or creative. He become humorous due to the fact he advised the reality approximately the mundane. He touched on those taboo easy subjects that we all enjoy however don’t understand. Tapping into shared reports is crucial whilst writing, however even more so whilst writing humor. Because you’ll always get a larger giggle when humans are thinking, gosh that’s so freaking real.

3. Thou Shalt Take Clichés to Extremes

My wife recommended to me that I write an editorial about staying healthy while operating in an workplace. Properly, we’ve all examine that article one thousand times earlier than. So I determined to take that cliche article and write eight innovative ways to lose weight within the Cubicle in which I recommended readers to engage in Butt-Clinch pick out-Up-Pens and King of the Cubicle.

Or whilst there was report after document approximately the Occupy movement marching on streets everywhere in the kingdom, I wrote Occupy Marches on Sesame road—twentysomething angst taking on the puppets who lied to them first.

Taking cliches to the intense is the bedrock to satire.

4. Thou Shalt Use Metaphors and Similes like the Bubonic Plague

(First, see Commandments 1 and three.)

Metaphors and similes are to humorous as Hugh furnish is to romantic comedy.

Rather than writing, “he ran definitely speedy,” why not write, “he ran like a 14-12 months-vintage who simply walked in on his dad and mom doing the horizontal hula dance”?

Very hardly ever does a creative simile or metaphor make something less humorous.