Comedy Vocabulary

Type of humor that is primarily focused on the situation or series of events. It includes physical mishaps, crazy coincidences, and bodily functions humor. It’s purpose is to entertain so sit is often straightforward.

• Low Comedy

• Anecdote

• High Comedy

• Parody

Anecdote

• type of comedy involving exaggerated physical violence

• A play on words

• A short, amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

• spoken phrase that can be understood in either of two ways. The first, literal meaning is an innocent one, while the second is figuartive

Caricature

• picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

• phrase or thought that is overused and is easily recognizable

• A short, amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

• used to indicate the speaker's nonchalance (or obliviousness) regarding an often important or otherwise remarkable situation.

phrase or thought that is overused and is easily recognizable

• Pun

• Double entendre

• Caricature

• Cliche

Pun

• causes the audience to compare two elements simply because they are placed next to each other. When the comparison is unexpected, it creates irony.

• phrase or thought that is overused and is easily recognizable

• Play on words

• spoken phrase that can be understood in either of two ways. The first, literal meaning is an innocent one, while the second, figurative meaning is often ironic or risqué

causes the audience to compare two elements simply because they are placed next to each other. When the comparison is unexpected, it creates irony.

• cliche

• juxtaposition/oxymoron

• double entendre

• repetition

may be used to indicate the speaker's nonchalance (or obliviousness) regarding an often important or otherwise remarkable situation. It often results in irony where, for instance, the speaker's response to an event does not match how the viewer expects the speaker to react.

• understatement

• low comedy

• anecdote

• hyperbole

Hyperbole

• picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

• phrase or thought that is overused and is easily recognizable

• spoken phrase that can be understood in either of two ways. The first, literal meaning is an innocent one, while the second, figurative meaning is often ironic or risqué

• exaggerated statement

The essential comedic device. Often used in combination with other devices to reinforce them. The "callback" in comedy writing—in which a statement or theme is recalled as the punchline or close of a scene—is a classic example of the tension and release that are possible

• anecdote

• cliche

• repetition

• hyperbole

Mistaken Identity

• may be used to indicate the speaker's nonchalance (or obliviousness) regarding an often important or otherwise remarkable situation.

• saying something that nobody else would say in a civilized environment. Being disgusting or politically wrong in front of an audience can surprise and shock an audience

• focuses on characters, dialogue, and/or ideas. Clever word play, wit, and pointed remarks at larger issues. (irony and satire)

• often of one twin for another) is a centuries-old comedic device used by Shakespeare in several of his works. The mistake can be either an intended act of deception or an accident.