Story types · Tip 57 of 82 · 4 min read
How to Write a Funny Story
Make your readers giggle with surprises, silly mix-ups and the rule of three.
Making someone laugh with your writing is one of the best feelings ever! Funny stories might look easy, but writers use some clever tricks to get the giggles.
Trick 1: Surprise!
Most jokes work because something unexpected happens. The reader thinks the story is going one way, then it suddenly goes somewhere silly.
The knight drew his sword, raised his shield and charged bravely at the dragon. Then he tripped over his own cape.
Trick 2: The rule of three
List two normal things, then make the third thing silly. Two normal things set up a pattern, and the third one breaks it.
For the camping trip, Dad packed a tent, sleeping bags and a chocolate fountain.
Trick 3: Mix-ups and misunderstandings
Characters who get the wrong idea are very funny, especially when the reader knows the truth.
"Please take the dog for a run," said Mum. So Ollie put Biscuit in the pram and pushed him around the park while he ran.
Trick 4: Funny characters
- A character who is very serious in a very silly situation
- Someone who is terrible at their job, like a wizard who's allergic to magic
- Animals doing human things, like a goat who runs a hairdresser's
- A character who exaggerates everything: "This is the worst Tuesday in the history of the universe!"