Unit 4 Challenge of Comedy

Comics know that the same jokes are not funny to everyone everywhere. Hiestand, a writer for comedy great Johnny Carson, states, “Everyone who writes comedy needs to know the audience. On the Carson show, everybody would laugh on a Friday night. Nobody would laugh on a Monday.” Even within one town or family, senses of humor are as varied as the people are. Professional comics do not assume a 10 p.m. audience will like a joke because a 7 p.m. audience did.

Comedians claim, “It’s a tough gig, and you have to have a large threshold for pain.” Performers who get a two-second laugh consider that a significant accomplishment.

Which sentence best summarizes the main idea of this excerpt?

• Comics have to understand that all audiences do not share the same sense of humor.

• Comedy is a tough career since comics have to test their jokes to make sure people laugh.

• Audiences are more likely to laugh when the weekend is near.

• Even famous comedians have had a difficult time telling a good joke.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which phrase from “Made You Laugh” would the author most likely use to define humor?

• cultures who don’t speak a word of the other’s language

• laughter as the unofficial language of Earth

• that joke was voted the funniest in the world

• submit opinions online using a Giggleometer

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which sentence describes characteristics of low comedy?

• It is a subtle humor requiring reflection to realize the humorous intent.

• Its purpose is to express an opinion, to persuade, or to promote deep thought.

• The characters are often exaggerated caricatures caught in unlikely situations.

• It includes clever wordplay, wit, and pointed remarks regarding larger social issues.

Lisa is writing an analysis of a political cartoon using the RAFT strategy. What information would she organize under the heading of "Topic" when writing about the cartoon?

• what is happening

• the intended audience

• use of narration frames

• where the cartoon was found

The author conveys humor in the essay “Brothers” by using

• specific diction such as "wagon."

• repetition of words such as "puke."

• dashes before listing family members.

• short phrases such as “stick with your brothers.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

“I’ve Got a Few Pet Peeves about Sea Creatures.”

Eventually I would realize—it wasn’t easy to tell—that Scooter had passed on to that Big Pond in the Sky, and I’d bury him in the garden, where he’d decompose and become food for the zucchini, which in turn would be eaten by my dad, who would in turn go to New York City, where, compelled by powerful instincts that even he did not understand, he would buy me another moping death turtle.

The effect of the verbal moping in this sentence is to

• emphasize that the turtle was unhappy.

• highlight how boring it was to have a pet turtle.

• show that this dad really wanted him to have a pet turtle.

• exaggerate how hard it was to determine if the turtle was alive.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

The swimming fish raced upstream.

• Gerund
• Participle
• Infinitive

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

To be or not to be, that is the question.

• Gerund
• Participle
• Infinitive

Tags

CCSS.L.8.1A

The passing bus accelerated down the street.

• Gerund
• Participle
• Infinitive

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

Even though it looks like a verb, a participle functions to _______, like an adjective would do. 

• describe
• talk

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A