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How to Write a Funny Speech

Last Updated: August 9, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 168,674 times.

Writing a speech is already a challenge, so why bother adding humor? Successful humor will relax the audience, making them more attentive and receptive. It can break down perceived barriers between you and the audience, fostering a sense of camaraderie with the audience. Read on to learn how to use humor to your advantage when giving a speech. [1] X Research source

Choosing Your Topic

Step 1 Find a topic.

  • Think about -- and then make -- a list of things you know a lot about or enjoy talking about. Single out the topics you’re knowledgeable about but also know you can be funny about. This might rule out topics that are hard to joke about, like poverty, domestic violence, etc.
  • Use this list (in combination with the next step) to select a potential topic.

Step 2 Consider your audience.

  • What’s the general age of your audience?
  • What do your audience members have in common?
  • What kind of speech are they expecting to hear?
  • What kind of humor are they likely to appreciate?

Step 3 Determine whether the speech should be humorously informative or just humorous.

  • If you’re writing a speech whose primary goal is to convey information or ideas, you’ll want to integrate humor while focussing on the ideas you want to convey. So draft the informative parts of your speech first, then integrate jokes and humor.
  • If you’re writing a speech whose primary goal is humor -- perhaps a satire or parody -- then you’ll want the humor center stage from the beginning. Choose a topic that lends itself to your sense of humor as well as to what the audience is likely to find amusing.

Writing Your Speech

Step 1 Decide your “big idea.”

  • Remember to choose a specific topic -- if your main idea/topic is too broad, you won’t do it justice in a relatively short speech. Choose something that you can describe in reasonable depth in the time allotted.
  • For example, if you’re writing a humorously informative speech about early American cinema, your main idea might be, “the advent of sound in film hurt rather than helped the medium by detracting from its visual potential”. This is specific enough not to be overwhelming while still leaving you room to develop substantial supporting points.
  • If, on the other hand, you’re writing a satirical speech, say, about reality television, your main idea might be, “nothing has contributed more to the cultural and intellectual richness of American society than reality television”.

Step 2 Decide your main points.

  • Write down your main idea.
  • Below it, write out everything that comes to mind when you think about that idea. Use whatever visual or textual brainstorming method you prefer (eg, clustering, listing, freewriting, etc.).
  • Eliminate anything that’s too far away from the topic, that you don’t feel comfortable discussing, or that would require too much time and depth to cover.

Step 3 Outline your speech.

  • I. Introduction (where you state your main topic and the points you’ll make)
  • II. Main point one
  • III. Main point two
  • IV. Main point three
  • V. Conclusion (in which you sum up the main points, re-state your main idea, and issue a call to action from the audience, if appropriate)

Step 4 Begin with a “hook.”

  • Effective hooks include humorous personal anecdotes, surprising or entertaining examples, or direct questions to the audience that invite their participation and give them a chance to laugh at themselves. [10] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
  • For example, if you’re writing a speech about studying abroad, you might start by asking if anyone has ever wished they had an accent or intentionally faked one. You can then suggest they do it right and live somewhere they’ll actually have a legitimate accent.

Step 5 Write simply and clearly.

  • Err on the side of clarity over style, subtlety or artistry. Unlike a written piece, a speech is as much about delivery as it is about content, and the audience will be less attuned to the intricacies of sentence construction and more attuned to your overall message and the expressions as you give it.
  • Avoid overly long and complicated sentences. Long and difficult sentences will be hard to follow. Simplify your point and/or break complicated sentences into smaller, more easily digested ideas.

Step 6 Use vivid and specific adjectives.

  • For example, a word like “incendiary” is both more vivid, specific, and aurally interesting than a word such as “controversial”. “Incendiary” communicates the idea of something explosively provocative, while “controversial” is a more general term for something that generates disagreement.

Incorporating Humor

Step 1 Work humor into the text, once you have the foundation of your speech.

  • Consider generational differences with humor -- use references and jokes that address topical issues for that age group. For example, if you’re writing a speech about volunteering to an audience of high school students, relate the information in your speech to specific things and events relevant to teenagers. You might make a joke about volunteering versus staying home and trying to be Jimi Hendrix on Guitar Hero. Or you might pick a guitarist more recent than Jimi!
  • Know what the audience members have in common. Use it when writing jokes oriented around those shared elements, which are more likely to hold the audience’s attention. Doing so is invariably a crowd-pleaser. For example, if you’re addressing teachers, you might make a humorous reference to students’ most bizarre homework excuses.
  • Situational and observational humor that’s tailored to its audience is often particularly effective.

Step 2 Get inspired.

  • Watch your favorite funny movie, television show, or comedian.
  • Read works by your favorite humorous writers.
  • Don’t hesitate to take cues from their delivery -- learn from what they do to make a joke successful. (But don’t plagiarize!)
  • Pay attention when you make people around you laugh. Note the things you do or say that make people laugh and how you do it.
  • If, for example, your friends can’t stop laughing when you humorously re-enact stressful situations or conversations, try to incorporate similar elements into your speech.

Step 3 Keep the humor responsible.

  • Targeting particular people or groups is not only inconsiderate, it can alienate members of your audience.
  • Avoid jokes that are made at the expense of one side or another in a contentious issue, like jokes about one side of a political or religious debate.
  • Don’t make jokes about experiences you don’t understand. A good general rule is to write what you know. So if you, for example, have a learning disability, you might make a joke about the difficulties of dealing with standardized tests. But if you don’t have a learning disability, don’t make jokes about those who do -- you don’t share their specific experience, so you may unintentionally be making jokes about sensitive, potentially even hurtful, issues. [13] X Research source
  • Also take the taste level of your audience into consideration when deciding if a joke is going to be offensive. If you’re giving a speech to a room of educated adults, you’ll probably want to avoid overly bawdy or sexual humor.

Step 4 Keep the humor relevant.

  • The more relevant your jokes are to the specific matter at hand, the more likely they are to be successful with and entertaining.

Step 5 Be self-deprecating.

  • But don’t go to extremes of self-loathing, as that will have the opposite effect. The audience won’t know whether to laugh or what you’re trying to accomplish.

Step 6 Maintain focus.

  • Remember just what information it is you need to convey and ensure that it’s clear.
  • Don't let the humor become distracting. Humor can be a great tool for enhancing the information you’re conveying, as long as it doesn’t become a larger focus than the informative content itself. [15] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

Step 7 Edit and revise -- multiple times.

  • Give yourself enough writing time so that you can go through and revise multiple times.
  • The more attentive you are to the details, the more successful your speech is likely to be.

Delivering Your Speech

Step 1 Practice.

  • Read the entire speech aloud until you’re comfortable enough with the material that you don’t need to read directly from your script but can simply use it as a prompt when needed.

Step 2 Vary your tone and expressions.

  • If you watch comedians and humorists closely, you’ll find that they tend to lead in to their jokes in a particular, deliberate way. Specifically, they’ll use a combination of slower speech, significant pauses, and punctuated emphasis. So when you’re leading up to a joke, cue your audience by slowing down your delivery, pausing slightly before delivering the punchline, and emphasizing key words within the punchline. [18] X Research source
  • Emphasize important words, but not to the point that it becomes distracting. Practice how you would naturally speak the lines, paying attention to specific places where your tone rises, falls, or becomes more expressive. Keep those inflections in your speech and play them up enough to be animated, but stop short of being continually exaggerated, which will likely distract the audience from the content of the speech itself.
  • Watch and listen to speeches you admire. Pay attention to how the speaker manipulates their tone and pacing to enhance the speech and try to apply those same techniques to your own speech.

Step 3 Record yourself.

  • It can be somewhat uncomfortable to watch or listen to yourself, but doing so will help improve your presentation enough to be worth the momentary discomfort.

Step 4 Use large physical gestures.

  • Think of being somewhat theatrical, you want your gestures to be visible and distinct from a distance. Favor several broad gestures over a series of small ones. [20] X Research source

Step 5 Have fun.

  • Allow yourself to feel nervous. Accept that you’re going to feel that way and decide not to worry about it.
  • The more confidently you act, the more confident you’ll eventually feel.
  • You have a chance to share your humor and ideas with an interested audience -- enjoy it!

Video . By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.

Expert Q&A

Patrick Muñoz

You Might Also Like

Give a Thank You Speech

  • ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-publicspeaking/chapter/humor-in-public-speaking/
  • ↑ http://www.drmichellemazur.com/2013/04/speech-topic.html
  • ↑ http://www.write-out-loud.com/how-to-use-humor-effectively.html
  • ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.
  • ↑ http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-preparation-3-outline-examples/
  • ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/speeches/
  • ↑ http://writetodone.com/how-to-write-funny/
  • ↑ http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/How_to_add_humor_to_your_speechwithout_being_a_com_47538.aspx

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

414 Funny and Humorous Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative, Impromptu]

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Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

funny humorous speech

Funny and humorous speech topics –  for anyone who wants to talk about silly foolish, casual odd, infrequent rare, bizarre weird, aberrant uncommon, strange or crazy fun subjects. Modify the onliners for the best tailormade results of course!

In this article:

Informative

List of funny and humorous speech topics.

  • Boys gossip more than girls do.
  • Should Trix stop its discrimination and make them for everyone?
  • Blame your horoscope for why things went wrong
  • Why you should never take on a food challenge
  • Breakup insurance policy should be invented
  • Which came first: the chicken or the egg?
  • Why men shouldn’t wear skinny jeans
  • Vegetables have feelings – stop carrot cruelty
  • Camping: the fun and the not so fun
  • Why kids should make jokes in class
  • Why lying well can be helpful
  • Why I should marry Cameron Diaz
  • When nothing goes left, go right
  • Grown-ups are weird species
  • Blame your dog for things
  • Why getting lost is the best advice someone could give you
  • The reason grass appears greener on the other side is because it is probably fake.
  • In order to become old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.
  • Yes, you should write that down, because you will forget.
  • We can lie but our facial expressions can’t.
  • Life should come with background music.
  • Chocolate never asks stupid questions.
  • Sometimes when you need expert advice you should just have a chat with yourself.
  • In order to understand what life is all about you should hang out with a three year old.
  • The most dangerous animal out there is a silent woman.
  • We don’t mean to interrupt people’s conversations, it’s just that we remember random things and get really excited.
  • Wouldn’t it be great to have a six-month vacation twice a year?
  • Nothing sucks more than when you are in the middle of an argument and realize that you are wrong.
  • When you get older you will regret not taking all those naps as a child.
  • I sometimes feel that the internet could do with a sarcasm font.
  • Some of the bad decisions are necessary so you can have great stories to tell.
  • Sometimes you will need to keep a contact number on your phone so that you can avoid their nuisance calls.
  • How many times is it appropriate to say “excuse me”, before you give up and nod instead?
  • A woman’s “I will be ready in 5 minutes” is the same as a man’s “I will be home in 5 minutes”.
  • “We will see” means it’s probably not going to happen.
  • Adults these days can barely do Math without using a calculator but are always claiming to have X amount of problems.
  • Being an adult is not an easy task.
  • Life feels very much like a test I didn’t study for.
  • You are not weird; you are just a limited edition.
  • There is no need to sugar coat everything, we can’t all be Willy Wonka.
  • Not everyone will like you and that is okay because not everyone has good taste.
  • Most people make mistakes five or six times, just to be sure.
  • Be happy, it drives people crazy!
  • Before you marry someone you should see how they react to slow internet.
  • Alcohol clearly increases the size of the send button.
  • We all need a day in which we can be just as useless as the ‘g’ in lasagne.
  • Those who say they slept like a baby have obviously never had a baby.
  • No, underarm farts are not an impressive party trick.
  • Why do we panic when our phones fall but laugh when our friends do?
  • Why do we remember all the things we forgot to do once we are in bed?
  • Stop telling people that your baby is 28 months old!
  • Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life.
  • Why people calculate how many hours of sleep they will get.
  • What is it with men and remote control buttons?
  • Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.
  • It is probably wise to keep your Mom off of Facebook.
  • Clowns are scary and this is why.
  • The true list of Christmas gifts I would like to give my family.
  • Why Mondays should be banned.
  • It is not okay to be 30 and still live with your parents.
  • Men gossip more than women.
  • Stop bragging about being at the gym – nobody cares!
  • We can lie to the world, but not to ourselves.
  • You should never start your diet on a Monday.
  • By plans I mean I want to stay home and watch Netflix.
  • Why you should smile and wave when someone insults you.
  • If you are going to be two-faced at least make one of them pretty.
  • Some people truly believe that they know everything, do they think their name is google?
  • I wish the world would shock me by saying something intelligent.
  • Women shouldn’t treat their faces like a colouring book.
  • Some people are so fake, that Barbie is starting to get jealous.
  • You are always entitled to your own incorrect opinion.
  • Do people expect us to take notes when they tell us what to do?
  • Just because it fits it doesn’t mean that it actually fits.
  • It’s okay, you can explain yourself out of compromising positions.
  • Auto correct could ruin your life.
  • Some people are all bark but no bite.
  • Why read the book when you can just watch the movie?
  • Growing old is mandatory but growing up is completely optional.
  • Money does talk and it usually likes to say ‘bye-bye’.
  • The good news is that if today is the worst day of your life, then you know that tomorrow will be better.
  • Some of the best people out there are crazy.
  • Common sense is a flower that does not grow in everyone’s garden.
  • Sometimes you just need to take a nap and get over it.
  • Daddy is the boss until Mommy gets home.
  • To avoid trouble, you must always cut a toddler’s sandwich in the correct shape.
  • People often lie on a first date so that they can secure the second one.
  • Why wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.
  • Yes, actually you can have your cake and eat it too!
  • You should never be the party pooper.
  • Disney movies are great until they all start singing.
  • “Too busy” is just a myth.
  • Teenagers need to remember that not that long ago they use to beg their mothers to watch them poop.
  • Wouldn’t it be great if when we took a long nap people would be proud of us like they are when kids do?
  • You know it is going to be a long day when your partner is upset about something you did in their dream.
  • Sometimes our greatest accomplishment is to just keep quiet.
  • Why Math feels like Mental Abuse To Humans.
  • You need to marry the person who gives you the same feeling you get when you see food coming at a restaurant.
  • Touch a pregnant belly at your own risk.
  • If you mess with the bull you will get the horns.
  • Why exactly did ‘that’s cool’ become ‘that’s hot’?
  • People must stop randomly using the word ‘random’ for everything.
  • How not wearing any makeup makes people think you are sick these days.
  • LOL is usually what people reply with when they have nothing else to say.
  • Why exactly is it called a crush?
  • If Cinderella’s shoe fit perfectly in the end, why did it fall off in the first place?
  • The only reason why we should want to go back in time is to repeat the fun parts.
  • When we start to question if a word even exists.
  • Before Facebook I had a life.
  • Smile while you still have teeth.
  • Why laughter is the best medicine.
  • Three reasons why … (fill in your favorite cheerleader team here) will win the Superbowl this year.
  • Fainting for high school is pretty common and often not a sign of something serious.
  • Why rose is the best flowers’ fragrance many women like.
  • Girls under 12 should not be allowed to wear makeup.
  • Wendy’s / Burger King / McDonald’s (choose your fast food restaurant) has the best service and consumer complaint codes of conduct.
  • My favorite Agent 007 James Bond is … (fill in the actor / actress of your choice here. Or do choose another movie hero for alternative humorous persuasive speech topics)
  • Design your own How Cool Are You test and persuade your audience to take it.
  • Seven signs that she is a real bitch type, and ways how to handle her.
  • Five requirements to be called a bestie by girlfriends.
  • Three symptoms that show you are definitely addicted to online quizzes.
  • Fingerprints are unique for every human.
  • Diet or regular drinks: it doesn’t matter at all what you drink.
  • We should adapt the Chinese Calender / National Calendar of India.
  • We should print small fun items on our coins that symbolizes our nation.
  • What you should wear / not wear when giving a prom speech.
  • Presidential running mates are politicians who were not able to reach the top themselves.
  • How to get – more – Valentine Day cards next year.
  • Nomen est omen (latin for name is omen) occurs more often than you think.
  • Kung fu training skills should be mandatory for college and high school sports girls and women teachers.
  • Vampires and ghosts are only historical legend figures, nevertheless they have much impact on our society when it comes to superstition.
  • Thirteen is a lucky number.
  • Why there are so many kangaroo, wombats, sheep and koalas in Australia.
  • Why Rumpulstilskin is my favorite fairy tale.
  • People prefer a clean shaven face instead of a beard or mustache.
  • Dating someone who is much older than you are is the only way to date.
  • Love at first sight really does exist.
  • Lady Gaga has beaten Britney Spears.
  • Men like action and women like romantic movies.
  • Boyfriends must act romantic.
  • (fill in the title of the song of your choice) is the funniest song ever.
  • The Human cannonball stunt should be an entertainment event at our next campus event.
  • Jay Leno is funny because he has good joke writers.
  • Having a third arm is better than a third leg.
  • Leather belts with a large buckle look good on guys.
  • Experiencing the thrill of a Space Shuttle trip is too expensive.
  • Why it’s a good idea to always google a person before you meet her or him for the first time.
  • Ten ways to use Twitter with fun public speaking purposes in a maximum of 140 characters.
  • Why many students rather text a friend than call her/him.
  • Bingo competitions keep grandmas off the streets.
  • Don’t take life too seriously – and yourself 🙂
  • How to get rid of boring blind dates.
  • Blaming your dog for everything that goes wrong is an old way-out.
  • 99% percent of the blonds are not stupid at all.
  • How to annoy the passenger next to you on a flight.
  • The beneficial effects of smoking.
  • Some phrases you use to be funny but actually turn out to be boring.
  • Jerry Springer ruined America
  • Dessert should always be served before dinner
  • Golf and Poker: Two things that should never be televised
  • Personal things you should always keep to yourself
  • Department stores shouldn’t be allowed to sell ugly clothing
  • Why you should leave the marriage counseling tips to the marriage counselors
  • Facebook is ruining lives every day
  • Why the perfect husband just doesn’t exist
  • Pigs have better manners than most men
  • Rain: It really does have a smell
  • Women are much better at handling pain than men
  • Why famous people must have a crew of makeup artists and hair stylists following them around all day
  • Why Subway is a total rip off
  • Totally useless professions
  • If only men spent as much time working on their relationships as they do focusing on sports
  • Parent fails
  • Why everyone wants a pet monkey
  • What happens in high school doesn’t really matter all that much

Once you have chosen a topic, you will need to compose the speech structure. This sample of outline will help you getting started. The example topic is: “How to convince the teacher that a household pet ate your homework.”

Start the talk by introducing yourself. For example, “Good Morning, my name is ____.” Then, go for the “gold.” Hit the audience with a statement or question that will grab their attention immediately. Another example: “Who remembers using the excuse that my dog ate my term paper?”

The body of the speech: Three points Hopefully, with the audience waiting with baited breath, the time is ripe to hit them with three good reasons for them to listen to, and agree with, what is being said.

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  • Your sister’s pet hamster died, and she needed a small piece of paper to wrap the body in and used your homework paper.
  • Your brother was making bedding for his pet gerbil and ran out of newspaper to cut into strips and used your term paper instead.
  • Your new dog has been trained to pee on newspaper on the floor, and your homework papers had slipped off the kitchen counter, and, well….

Closing argument More than three points can be made, if indicated. But at least three points should always be used. To close your argument, summarize and end with a strong reason why the audience should agree with you. For example, “With the number and variety of pets available today, one does not have to use the family dog all the time as an excuse for not doing one’s homework.”

Reverse thinking and applying jokes are possible instruments for inventing lots of amusing and droll funny topic for persuasive speech tips and more expanded funny different from standard or daily norm hints and clues for rationalistic speeches.

  • How to make fun every day in life.
  • The unusual and abnormal working of Murphy’s Law – if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong.
  • Chasing idle dreams is a good habit.
  • Unexpected disasters that can happen.
  • Absurd and laughable job applicant stories.
  • How I choose friends far away and maintain those relationships.
  • People with mediocre talents have success and high talented people haven’t.
  • Why my – any funny speech topics – looks cooler than the… of my neighbour.
  • Rare speed limits and the reasons why.
  • When I resign, I will …
  • My fantasy jokes and humor multiplier x factor
  • My motto: I’m flexible by indecision.
  • Ways to remember birthdays on the presents you got.
  • For her / him who doesn’t have to do it, nothing is impossible.
  • How to give your dog or cat a pill.
  • Why men are proud of themselves.
  • How to cheat poker the nice way.
  • Why I don’t want to be a millionaire.
  • Eating flowers is possible.
  • How to determine you are addicted to the Internet.
  • Wine / beer / cocktail of the month.
  • How to be a charming host at any event.
  • Demonstrate tasting wine in a waggish way.
  • If I was my boss, then …
  • Happy puppies make humans happy.
  • How to deny reality.
  • Ten fun things to do during exams.
  • Urban running acrobatics.
  • 10 ways to order pizzas and make the Italian food restaurant owner crazy.
  • Your guides to life are angels.
  • How to throw a paper airplane in class.
  • Ten things you’ve learned from your pet.
  • Personal bloopers are great funny topics for a speech.
  • My most profitable mistake.
  • Funny computer terms and phrases.
  • What women really say when they talk to men.
  • Answers on the meaning of life.
  • Funny holidays in other countries.
  • How foreigners must sound when speaking to natives in their language
  • Card games that hardly require any skill
  • What my dog would tell me if he could talk
  • What the popular kids are like 15 years after graduation
  • Words that are hard to say while drunk
  • The best cures for a hangover
  • The truth about bromance
  • Where did swear words come from?
  • If our children had to deal with the computers we had back in the day…
  • The worst nicknames you’ve been given
  • A time when you were glad you were you
  • The male brain vs. the female brain
  • What to do if you’re being hit on by a complete weirdo
  • The advantages of being a woman
  • The advantages of being a man
  • The things women go through just to look pretty
  • If men had a menstrual cycle
  • Does anyone ever clean public restrooms?
  • How one dog had 101 Dalmatian puppies
  • How to create a new word that other people will actually use
  • How to boil water
  • How to get fired in less than 24 hours
  • How to create monsters out of your children
  • How to train your cat to be like a dog
  • How to be remembered in high school
  • How to make lemonade out of lemons (figuratively)
  • The art of pretending to listen when your spouse is talking
  • If women had mute buttons
  • If men were more emotional than women
  • Why babies act very similar to drunk adults
  • What to do if you burn the turkey at Thanksgiving
  • The ugliest fashions of today
  • The newest slang terms and what they really mean
  • What men really think about women
  • What women really think about men
  • My worst road rage stories
  • PMS: Because men have it too
  • The dumbest thing I ever did while drunk
  • As a kid, I thought I knew it all. Boy, was I wrong
  • A day at Spencer’s
  • So, what do people really think when they see your 1,001 selfies?
  • Best pranks to use on your spouse
  • Why kids are lucky they are cute
  • The best and only way to make your kids leave you alone
  • Why I could never be a doctor
  • When baby is left with dad all day…
  • How incompetent people manage to make it through the day
  • Review the challenge to find mentally strange funny speech topics in 24 hours.
  • Women marry much younger men.
  • Bare funny facts about men.
  • Funny facts about women.
  • Rules men wish women knew.
  • How to become a rat and make a fortune.
  • Funny first date experiences.
  • A true story that ain’t be true in the end …
  • Unusual incidents.
  • Helpful pinball strategies.
  • Reveal the real names of celebrities.
  • Extreme golf courses around the world.
  • How to cope with a Feng Shui consultant.
  • Hidden subliminal messages in songs.
  • Funny names, name meaning or nomen est omen.
  • Top 5 most stupid questions and answers.
  • Clean jokes that are safe for the whole family.
  • Optical illusions in art, also called trompe-loeil.
  • Fun houseplants in your home.
  • How to decorate a really weird Thanksgiving table.
  • Time capsules you like to find.
  • How to discover who send you a Valentine card.
  • Moving Christmas lights that drive your neighbours crazy.
  • Criteria for a childproof X-mas tree.
  • How to attract hundreds of birds in record time.
  • Unique nativity scene figures.
  • Strange New Year resolutions.
  • Cliches, figures and any text to speech that should be banned.
  • What dreams mean.
  • What to do on a desert island.
  • Top 5 bad business slogans.
  • What I like to invent for mankind.
  • How to pretend to be a good international exchange student.
  • What to write in a message in a bottle if you’re trapped on an island.
  • Things to do in a traffic jam.
  • Kids should get more pocket money.
  • What do I have to do to receive free chicken?
  • Imagine your life as a grandpa / grandma
  • How to be lazy like a pro
  • What teachers do when they’re not teaching
  • Ten ways to annoy your parents
  • Being the oldest/youngest sibling
  • How to feed your dog your homework
  • If video game characters were real
  • Why did the duck cross the road?
  • How to looks smarter than you are
  • A narrow escape from trouble
  • It was an unusual friendship
  • Eating things you don’t like
  • Fear of 12th grade
  • Getting water from a rock
  • Zombie protection
  • 20 weird-sounding words and what they mean
  • The worst holiday ever
  • If you ruled the world
  • Fun with super glue
  • How to catch a cold
  • Short girl problems.
  • I am not anti-social, I am just selectively social.
  • Things only people that wear glasses can relate to.
  • How not to get a date.
  • What not to say on a first date.
  • A snoring partner costs you a few years of sleep in a lifetime.
  • What we can learn from animals when they are looking for food.
  • Why people look like their dogs.
  • Three ways to write the best gift card for birthday parties.
  • Five ways to keep going a boring conversation at a cocktail party.
  • How to act like you are an earth-friendly person.
  • Tricks to remember names when you forget them all the time.
  • Ways to live on the cheap spending as little money as you can.
  • How to drive unwanted visitors crazy by painting a psychedelic wall mural.
  • Women want bright-colored, funny and worthless goodies as a gift.
  • Do’s and don’ts when visiting a new mother and her little newborn crying out loud baby.
  • Being rude is the only way to get off telemarketers.
  • Tips to take toll high ways or bridges without paying a penny.
  • Let others pay your holiday trips with the perfect collect call strategy.
  • Decorating your college apartment with a low budget according to the latest furniture fashion trends.
  • How to handle well-meaning people you do not like and try to avoid by all means.
  • Effective optical cleaning methods for your home shortly before your parents arrive.
  • The ten commandments in a restaurant boys and girls room.
  • How to drive the baby-sitter crazy in one hour.
  • Tips for choosing a practical lunch box, and above all a cool one.
  • Behaving requirements in a chique restaurant when having a dinner with your parents.
  • Ways to re-use stickers that are not sticky anymore.
  • Odd shaped ice cubes in a snap in the coller fridge at home.
  • Three fun games to play at beach without a ball.
  • Sleeping a night in the backyard with a friend.
  • The funniest amusement parks you have been in your life.
  • How to design your own personal placemat.
  • How to be the perfect gentleman or lady.
  • 10 things you better not say in court.
  • Fun things to do on the first day of class or the last day of the high school season.
  • Words that are hard to say when you’re drunk.
  • The advantages women think of being a man.
  • Humorous names you can laugh about.
  • Why women say they hate sports.
  • The 3 biggest lies on the work floor.
  • New York City driving rules explained.
  • Inappropriate Christmas gifts.
  • 10 ways to irritate a telemarketer.
  • What are the signs you have had enough to drink.
  • 10 ways to freak out your roommate with special dorm room supplies.
  • How to train a cat, or dog or other pet to show fun tricks.
  • How to make pictures of a new puppy.
  • Why nerds rule our society and not creative artists.
  • Why you shouldn’t give marriage advice or marriage counseling tips.
  • How to reach your goals with humor.
  • The story of the perfect husband.
  • Gift wrapping tips for men.
  • How to prepare fancy meals using only frozen dinners
  • Why men are so terrible at wrapping gifts
  • If you want to know the truth about yourself, have a kid
  • Why Donald Trump doesn’t invest more money into his hair
  • Funny things kids say  that adults couldn’t get away with saying
  • The dumbest things American criminals have done
  • Topics that aren’t meant to be discussed in public
  • My guiltiest pleasures revealed
  • Things you shouldn’t say while on a date
  • How to confuse a telemarketer
  • Things no one really knows how to do/say
  • If I ever met Will Ferrell
  • The dumb things my cat/dog/pet does almost daily
  • How to pull off taking a “sick day” after your sports team loses miserably
  • The meaning behind some nursery rhymes
  • The dumbest thing I’ve ever done
  • The cool way to clean up doggy doo-doo
  • My thoughts about Napoleon Dynamite
  • How to find the penny your baby just swallowed
  • The weirdest names celebrity parents have given their children
  • Why you should never call the number on the bathroom stall
  • The most embarrassing thing I ever wore
  • What to do if your blind date is a horrible failure
  • Surefire ways to get out of a speeding ticket
  • The difference between Taylor Swift and Kanye West

Many writers have joked about speaking without a script in front of groups or answering questions without any preparation. They are right.

Think about it: when your professor asks you to  prepare  an impromptu; well, it seems to be a contradictio in terminis, a funny contrast in terms.

More than you presume. Why don’t you study these task verbs and prepare yourself better than the rest in your class? In general, the more convincing and relaxed a motivational speaker performs without a text to speech, the more she or he has anticipated at home. And that’s often the case.

  • Analyse –> Examine closely pros and cons of dating by means of a sugar daddy website. Do write with humor, otherwise choose other good funny impromptu speech topics.
  • Argue –> Provide evidence that something is in and not out in fashion.
  • Assess –> Determine the value of a Moon property certificate. Yes, they really exist in the real and also virtual world. And people tend to pay for it too 🙂
  • Compare –> Discuss the quality of a being humble instead of yelling a way through life.
  • Contrast –> Differences between women and men in dating habits.
  • Criticize –> Judge the daily television weather forecast.
  • Define –> Make clear what The Meaning of Life is, according to Monty Python Brian in the movie The Holy Grail.
  • Describe –> List the do’s and don’ts for a man during a romantic dinner for two.
  • Discuss –> The against of a fantasy resume at LinkedIn.
  • Enumerate –> Present the steps to simple life.
  • Evaluate –> The usefulness of uselessness homework assignments. One of the favorite persuasive speech topics of my daughter 🙂
  • Explain –> Make clear why we do fart, and why it’s healthy.
  • Illustrate –> What does illustrate mean in the context of a funny impromptu speech topics assignment?
  • Interpret –> The value of horse racing stats for gamblers.
  • Justify –> The end justify the means no matter how unethical or immoral, ahum 🙂
  • Outline –> How to make a funny cartoon character of your professor or public speaking instructor step-by-step.
  • Prove –> Inventing a time machine is possible …
  • Review –> Describe critically a hangover the day after you had a party.
  • Summarize –> Principles of funny tv advertising commercials.
  • Trace –> The effective step-by-step method to make studying a bit more fun.

104 Environmental Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative]

10 Salutatorian Speech Ideas Multi-Functional

23 thoughts on “414 Funny and Humorous Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative, Impromptu]”

Just blame the youngest

Tall girl Problems

Why road trips are better with boy and not girls

troubles of being the youngest sibling/child!

Trouble being the oldest sibling/having a younger one

why you should do zumba with morgan from morgans zumba fittness ( MZF )

how covid-19 affected the world

Adults don’t understand kids

Why you should read those emails from your royal Nigerian Prince!

What if all the conspiracy theories that many people believed in were actually true

Why kids should go to boarding school

How can you hear yourself think?

Why 2020’s official flag should be a mask

The troubles of high school : should we care?

Thes are great topics who wrote them

The Friday the 13th theory.

i have a great speech thanks to you and i know heaps others that have them to so tthank you

things I don’t understand

OMG THANKS I NOW I HAVE SPEECH THATS DUE TOMMOROW AND I HAVE IDEAS THANKS TO YOU LIFE SAVERS!!!!! 🙂

What you would do if your best friend committed a crime.

Why we procrastinate and make things harder for ourselves.

why taylor swift is the music industry

nomen est omen is not-

nomen means name est means is omen means sign

((i’m a latin student))

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Adam Christing

6 Ways to Guarantee Laughs During Your Next Speech

We’ve all been there. The spotlight is on you, you’ve set up the perfect joke, you nail the punchline, and… crickets .

It’s never fun to feel like your humor isn’t reading as funny to the audience. That’s why I’m here to teach you my six greatest tips and tricks on how to make a speech funny, or your (metaphorical) money back.

See Related:  Best MC Jokes For A Conference

#1: Tell Relatable Stories

If there’s one thing we learned from Seinfeld , it’s that the everyday is funny . Use this to your advantage in your speech!

Audiences laugh when they see their own experience reflected onstage. Add relatable humor to your speech with these ideas:

Turn Frustration Into Comedy

What got on your nerves this morning? It was something. I know it was. You know it was. We all know it was.

And you know what? I bet it was funny and would be great for your master of ceremonies speech .

Let me guess…

Did your family member turn on a bright light while you were still asleep? Speech material.

Did one of your friends cut you off on the way to work, causing your chai latte to spill on your brand-new pants? Speech material.

Were you (yet again) not Caller #5 and didn’t win your radio station’s giveaway for tickets to John Mayer’s Sob Rock Tour? (I’m terribly sorry – but speech material.)

These sorts of situations may get on your nerves in the moment, but I promise that, when transformed into a joke told with the right spirit, they will be funny and make the audience laugh.

The main idea when writing your funny speech is to shift your own perspective from frustrated to amused.

#2: Use Your Physicality to Communicate

Humor isn’t just about the words you say. A major part of making a good joke and creating a funny speech is using your body language to tell the story.

What do I mean? Well , think about your favorite comedians .

From Ali Wong to John Mulaney, comedians each have their own way of using their bodies to add humor to the funny stories they tell. It’s like a secret, other skill that is so ingrained in their performances, you may not notice it at first.

Every great comic uses gestures and physicality to deliver their material and engage audiences.

Act as characters

In your speech, maybe you’re telling a funny anecdote about a parent-teacher conference you had with your son’s kindergarten teacher. Instead of just speaking about the event, make people laugh by playing it out for the audience!

Go ahead, embody the teacher and her proper, stiff posture. Show guests how utterly ridiculous it looked when you sat down in a tiny chair made to fit a five year-old because the teacher didn’t have an adult-sized chair for you to use.

I can hear the laughter already!

No need to overdo it

Remember, your shifts in body language don’t need to be hyperbolic. During speeches, even the slightest, most intentional changes will go a long way in helping the audience understand your story audibly and visually.

#3: Deliver Originality

Humorous speeches are based in truth . The best way to ground your speeches in truth is to use your own material!

This may seem simple, but it cannot be overstated: if you’ve heard the joke before, I promise your audience has too.

Personalize Your Funny Speech to the Event

It can be tough to create a humorous message that will pull lots of laughter out of your audience! But with practice, I promise you’ll become a pro – just like a regular ol’ event emcee . 

The best way to stay funny, original, and on-task is to remember the primary goal of the event :

What is the goal of the event?

Is it to help new students feel comfortable at a large university? To raise money for a local grassroots nonprofit?

Once you understand what the client hopes to achieve through these events (and, therefore, your speeches), you can begin adding humor that focuses on those particular subjects.

Here’s an example :

If I’m making a humorous speech with the goal of exciting the crowd before a 5K Fun Run begins, I might make a self-deprecating joke about the utter irony of putting the words “fun” and “run” next to each other – lighthearted, relatable for many, and sure to ease some runners’ nerves when they hear it.

Got Writer’s Block?

It happens to the best of us!

Here are some writing prompts to get your creativity, word play, and humor flowing:

  • Write about something that made you laugh out loud recently.
  • Write about the silliest message you’ve ever received over phone, text, or email.
  • Write about the most memorable slip-up you’ve ever made in public.
  • Write about a few people who make you laugh – what about them is so funny to you?
  • If you are the punch line, write the joke.

Bonus:  What Does An Event Host Do?

#4: Structure Your Jokes

Look, not everything can be funny to everyone (and if you discover the magical meme that is the exception to that rule, please send it to me ASAP).

However, you can do yourself a favor by structuring your comedy with intentionality.

Not Sure How to Structure Your Jokes?

Here are the main categories into which most jokes fall:

We touched on the main points of anecdotal jokes at the beginning – they just involve telling a funny story from your own life!

An incident while baking holiday cookies ? A mix-up that surprised you while picking your child up from school? The sound of a squeaking chair at a very inopportune moment?

As the speaker, your humorous stories are all fair game!

You guessed it – one-liners are jokes told in just one sentence. Deliver one-liners smartly and you will have the room in stitches.

Observational

I mentioned Seinfeld earlier – that show is a classic example of observational humor! Observational jokes comment on the absurdity of everyday experiences and are great to add to your speeches.

A recent example of observational humor in television would be Abbott Elementary . Each episode tells a story about the everyday joys and frustrations that can come with working at a public elementary school in Philadelphia – and finds a way to create humor and heart in every moment.

Topical humor pokes fun at current events, be it the news, celebrity culture, or the latest Tik Tok trend. A dash of topical humor, when used appropriately, can grab your audience’s attention and be an asset to your funny speech.

However, you must stay aware of the client’s needs. If they prefer that politics and pop culture stay out of your presentation for fear of rubbing an audience member the wrong way, you must respect this. In fact, it can be safer to stay away from topical humor unless you know you have the right audience for it.

Self-Deprecating

Self-deprecating jokes are all about finding humor in your own flaws. It’s great to be able to laugh at yourself, but be careful not to use so much self-deprecating humor that it makes your audience feel uncomfortable.

#5: Tone Is Your Friend

In the same vein as physicality, your voice is an incredibly effective tool for making folks laugh.

What Do I Mean?

Say you’re telling an anecdotal joke about your niece’s sixth birthday party. Sure, you could use your everyday intonation to “play” the various roles at the party. But…

Wouldn’t it be funnier to give each character a distinct intonation?

Your six year-old niece’s high-pitched, bell-like voice. Your brother’s gruff, Midwestern tone. The angelic, sing-song-y sound of the actor playing a Disney princess to entertain the kids.

Each character in the story is another opportunity for creativity, and for laughs.

Let’s Take a Tip from Actors

Even when you’re not playing a character other than yourself, your voice is still an incredibly useful instrument. Why?

Your voice is the audience’s guide.

Softness versus loudness. Lightning-quick speech versus indulgent slowness. Serious versus playful.

Whenever you speak, you make a million little choices . Be intentional about those, because your audience is (quite literally) taking your cue!

Convey Confidence

Delivery is everything. If a speaker or corporate emcee can deliver your presentation with a strong sense of confidence, the audience will feel safe to let loose and laugh. But this takes practice!

I feel disappointed when a speaker exudes insecurity. Try your best to put yourself in the audience’s shoes – wouldn’t you prefer to watch someone with great command of the room and confidence in their presentation?

I know I would!

#6: Bring People Together

Your audience is full of different people – many of whom you don’t know, and who will find different things humorous. Here are some tips for making everyone feel comfortable and ready to laugh:

Speak to Universal Experiences

It is important to do your absolute best not to ostracize anyone in the audience. Your client has hired you to help everyone feel comfortable. So, what is the best way to go about doing this in a diverse society?

When writing your speech, focus on humor that is a testament to the human experience , so that most people will relate to it. Adults, kids, everyone!

I don’t mean to be vague – the opposite, in fact. Specificity is funny.

Here are some examples:

There are certain human experiences with which every single person can identify:

  • Talk about a time when you felt embarrassed as a teenager .
  • Make a joke about an insecurity you had growing up, and still have to this day.
  • Surprise the audience with a weird dream you had recently.
  • Keep guests laughing with anecdotes about lessons you’ve learned the hard way.

Balance Listening and Speaking

Okay, okay, I know you’re giving a speech – that sort of implies that you’re talking. But listening is an equally important factor in your delivery of a hilarious speech.

It can be scary, but practice including pauses in your speech. Depending on the joke, the audience may need a few seconds to digest it before they begin laughing. Sometimes, your silence is the most entertaining part – if allowed, the audience will often fill that silence with laughter.

And, Scene!

As I’ve said before, humor is subjective – that will always be the case.

If you haven’t been getting the laughs you’ve hoped for, please talk kindly to yourself. Creating a humorous speech that appeals to many people takes lots of practice – you will get there!

Keep Reading:  How To Host A Networking Event

Adam Christing  has been called “The Tom Brady of emcees.” He has hosted more than 1,000  company meetings ,  special events ,  gala celebrations , and more. He is the  author of several books  and founder of  CleanComedians.com .   For more event tips, follow Adam Christing on  Instagram ,  Facebook ,  Pinterest ,  LinkedIn , and  YouTube .

Recent Blog Posts:

7 ways to make your end-of-year staff meeting memorable and meaningful, the importance of force majeure clauses when corporate hosting, 5 stage presence tips from a master of ceremonies.

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How to be funny in a speech (when you’re not that funny in real life).

by Kolarele Sonaike

writing a funny speech

According to a Hertfordshire University study , this is the funniest joke in the world.

“Two hunters are out in the woods when  one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator says, “Calm down. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There is a silence; then a gun shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says, “OK, now what?”

Hmm. OK, once you’ve finished laughing, picked yourself up from the floor and wiped away those tears of laughter, lets examine the subject of humour.

There is no lonelier place on the planet, than on stage after a bad joke.

It is possibly the single most painful experience for any public speaker.

Comedians know this, which is why they work so hard at their craft. Comedians aren’t funny in real life. Like any other profession, funny is what they do, not what they are. Comedians work and struggle just like the rest of us to be good at their jobs. Ellen, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock – all the greatest comics write, rewrite and rehearse their routines with incredible care, diligence and attention to detail. They try out material for months, sometimes years in advance, on audiences – sifting out the stuff that doesn’t work, and doubling down on the lines that do.

writing a funny speech

(Getty Images)

So why, oh why, do so many of us as public speakers always assume that we can just shoehorn a couple of lame one liners (found on the internet) into a barely rehearsed speech, and get big laughs from our audience? This is guaranteed to fail every time, reminding us of the words of writer, Quentin Crisp:

if at first you don’t succeed, failure may be your style – Quentin Crisp

( If you’re pushed for time, you can download the Free Checklist of this article:  Dos & Donts of giving funny speeches )

Being funny in a speech is hard to pull off. But like most hard things, with a little study, much practice, and a healthy dose of chutzpah, anyone can do it. So lets examine the anatomy of a joke in the next section helpfully called “Anatomy of a Joke”

Anatomy of a Joke

All comedy, whether a one liner, long anecdote, or even an entire movie, is basically comprised of two parts: The Set Up and the Pay Off (also known as The Punchline).

writing a funny speech

With the Set Up, you are setting the scene by giving the audience all the information they need to know so that they will be amused by the Pay Off.

1) Set Up: Knock Knock. Who’s there? Dozen. Dozen who?

2) Set Up: In the movie “Some like it hot” eccentric millionaire, Osgood Fielding III, spends the whole movie chasing Tony Curtis’ character, Jerry (dressed in drag pretending to be a woman).

3) Set Up: Dr Evil (Austin Powers) has been cryogenically frozen for 30 years, so when he meets his evil colleagues, he lays out his plan to extort the world for a huge sum of money.

4) Set Up (in the world’s funniest joke) The hunter dies in the woods and his panicking friend calls the emergency services.

The mistake that most public speakers make that leads to them giving unfunny speeches, is to concentrate all their effort almost entirely on finding that Pay Off, asking themselves ‘what’s the funny line that I can say here?’ Whereas the key to humour is to focus on creating a compelling Set Up so that the right Pay Off just reveals itself.

writing a funny speech

To create a great  Set Up:

1) Take a subject (ideally one with which you are very familiar)

2) Examine it from all angles looking for the surprising contradictions and unexpected anomalies within the subject.

3) Work out how you can exaggerate those contradictions and anomalies almost to the point of a humorous absurdity. Can you connect one seemingly unconnected topic with another? Can you take a particular approach that will highlight these funny contradictions?

The humour lies in those unexpected findings and exaggeration that are nevertheless real. It’s why you find yourself muttering ‘that’s so true’ through your tears of laughter when listening to a hilarious comedian nail her routine. It’s why a Best Man’s speech works best when it skates on the edge of decency by revealing just enough of the groom’s true nature to the audience (and the Bride).

When you work hard on your Set Up, the Pay Off comes pretty easily because the punchline that ties it altogether seems to reveal itself.

1) Pay Off: Doz-anybody want to let me in?

2) Pay Off: (Some like it hot) Tony Curtis finally comes clean and declares to millionaire Osgood,”I’m a man!” To which Osgood simply replies “Well, nobody’s perfect”

3) Pay Off: (Austin Powers) Dr Evil demands…. 1 Million Dollars

4) Pay Off: (The funniest joke in the world) The friend shoots his collapsed hunter friend.

writing a funny speech

A very effective method of creating a compelling Set Up is to use a hook or theme that drives the narrative forward.

A great example is the ‘Shit’ sketch by Finnish comedian, Ismo Leikola .  In this hilarious skit, he talks about how he always though there was just one definition or meaning of the word ‘shit’.  But when he went to the US, he realised there were many more meanings like ‘you ain’t shit’, ‘I don’t give a shit’, ‘leave my shit alone’. Because he had found a great hook for the narrative, finding the humour was quite easy.

So, when you’re giving a speech about a serious subject like ‘How the Financial Markets work’, but you want to introduce a little humour to ease the way, consider what are the eccentricities of the financial markets? What parts make little sense if you stand back and look at it? What would your 8 year old son or your 80 year old grandmother make of the way traders?

Or giving a presentation at a small business forum, what eccentricities do entrepreneurs have? What challenges do they all face that you can highlight in a funny way? What mistake does nearly every small business make, which no one admits do, but every one knows?

This is where you’ll find your humour – in the careful analysis of the contradictions within your subject . Once you tap into that zone, a whole new world will open up and the Pay Offs will almost trip off your tongue.

Finally, a few dos and donts to send you on your way

writing a funny speech

maria bamford (Getty Images)

1) Don’t tell them you are going to be funny.

Anytime I receive an an email with the subject line: “This is funny”, I delete it. It never is. If you’re going to be funny, then be funny.  Don’t announce it.

2) Do have a purpose

As one of the greatest and funniest public speakers, the late Sir Peter Ustinov reminds us

 Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious – Sir Peter Ustinov

Don’t make jokes just for the sake of making joke. Stay focused on the reason you are giving your speech, and use humour to help achieve that objective.

3) Don’t copy. Adapt.

The best jokes are original. Your own material, born of your own experience will always be superior to something copied off jokes.com.

But originality can be hard. So, if you do have to use someone else’s material, approach it like Amy Winehouse covering the song ‘Valerie’ originally by the Zutons (bet you hadnt even heard of the Zuton’s version), and not like a teenage X Factor contestant doing yet another cover of Whitney Houston’s ‘I will always love you’ (which itself was a cover of Dolly Parton’s original song).

Put your own spin on it. Make it your own and it will feel fresh.

4) Do tailor your jokes to your audience

What works for a university fraternity will probably not work for an accountant’s convention. Lawyers love a good naughty joke (it makes us feel dangerous), but you should probably avoid sexist jokes if you’re presenting to the Women’s Institute.

5) Don’t take yourself too seriously

If you can make jokes at your own expense, you’ve got a far better chance of making your audience laugh, than if you are joking about someone else.

Never be afraid to laugh at yourself, after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century – And Barry Humphries

And when it comes to your delivery, you want to use your voice to help paint a picture of your ideas in the minds of your audience. Treat it as a song or melody you are singing to your audience. The things you want to think about are:

  • timing – uses pauses and speed variation to build interest
  • use your body to amplify and reflect your words
  • give your voice dynamism i.e. intonation, pitch, volume
  • commit (don’t do things half hearted)

writing a funny speech

Go forth, and be funny!

(Grab the full Checklist of 12 Dos & Donts for giving a funny speech )

Kolarele Sonaike

p.s. Grab your slot for a 1 hour communication skills coaching call with me. It’s free and pretty transformative. Click here to book your slot.

“ The session with Kola had a huge impact. He helped me tap into the passion that is central to my work and message. At an emotional level this showed me how I could start working with a different sense of authenticity, which would be founded upon a new level of confidence and commitment. The session really ‘gave the green light’ for me to tell my story in my approach so I could in turn create genuine impact the people I work with.” – Richard, Performance Coach

“The strategy session with Kolarele was great. In only one hour he was able to provide me with tools to work with to overcome some of my fears and improve my communication skills. I feel I have already made progress. I can only imagine what transformation will look like once we continue working together.” – Belinda, Co Founder

“Understanding how my presentation skills could be improved required me to understand my own long held inhibitions. Identifying this was both scary and enlightening, but seriously made me feel that I could give, not only a great presentation, but achieve my bigger goals. Thank you” – Yves, Marketing & PR (Embassy Liaison) Manager

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writing a funny speech

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Funny Speech Topics to Make Your Audience Laugh

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Who among us hasn’t been caught off-guard during a speech, struggling to think of something to say, grasping desperately for words to fill the silence?

Whether it’s during a school presentation, a sales pitch, or a TED talk , great public speaking relies on having interesting materials to work with — and that often involves humor. After all, nothing captures people’s attention or puts them at ease like a well-crafted joke!

Today, we’re going to help you get your creative juices flowing and make sure there’s never a dull moment in any of your speeches.

We’ve compiled some of the funniest speech topics to make your audience laugh, starting from the harmless to the outrageous. Whether you’re looking for something light and unassuming or a joke guaranteed to get a chuckle, this list has it all!

So without further ado, let’s dive right in and make sure your next talking points are both memorable and hilarious.

Quick Answer to Key Question

Some funny speech topics could include humorous takes on current events, jokes about popular celebrities, lighthearted observations, and satirical examples of everyday scenarios. The possibilities for humorous content are truly endless – use your imagination to come up with something unique!

What is a Funny Speech?

A funny speech is a lighthearted presentation that focuses on making the audience laugh. It can be delivered as either an informative, persuasive, or entertaining talk, with humorous remarks and jokes to recognize the comic elements in life.

To this end, it often features playful humor, irony, exaggeration, and even farce , but within an appropriate context. As such, funny speeches can help break up tension and serve as a refreshing break from more serious topics .

However, there are drawbacks to using humor in public speaking. First of all, being funny can be difficult, so speakers must cultivate their natural wit and observe trends and topics that may lead to amusing content.

Additionally, though an audience may seem receptive to lightheartedness upfront, it could become easily offended if jokes cross lines of decency. As such, a speaker must judge the energy of the room and deliver material that will evoke laughter without overwhelming their listeners’ sense of propriety.

Ultimately, presenting a funny speech requires finesse and skill. But when done successfully, it can create lasting memories for both speaker and audience alike. With these considerations in mind, let us now transition into the next section which explores ideas for humorous speech topics.

Ideas for Humorous Speech Topics

Humorous speech topics can be great ice breakers at an event or just an entertaining way to pass the time. Whether you are giving a speech in front of your peers or random strangers, you will want to come up with material that is witty, entertaining, and guaranteed to get a laugh or two. Here are some ideas for humorous topics to consider: 1. Discuss why cats are smarter than dogs 2. Compare life before and after cell phones3. Debate whether cake or ice cream is better 4. Talk about the pros and cons of going to bed late versus getting up early 5. Examine the ridiculousness of certain trends 6. Discuss why people overreact when a mistake is made 7. Share your thoughts about extreme diets 8. Laugh about the difficulty of parallel parking 9. Analyze why some people rebel against instructions 10. Debate which reality TV show is the most absurd No matter which topic you choose to discuss, make sure to focus on enjoying yourself and showcasing your humorous side.

While it’s important to focus on making others laugh, it is also essential that you have fun along with them, as this will help create a more authentic and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone in attendance. Now that you have some ideas for humorous speech topics, let’s move on to discussing events.

Talking About Events

Talking about events often brings out the most laughter in an audience.

Whether it’s discussing a current hot button issue or rehashing a comical blunder that happened to a friend, addressing funny topics related to events can be endlessly entertaining.

Though there are some topics that might be deemed too sensitive to address, such as politics or religious issues , many current and past events offer plenty of moments that make for interesting storytelling opportunities.

For example, humorous angles on the latest celebrity news or an analysis behind why sports teams make questionable decisions can be met with laughter and applause.

Similarly, gossiping about relationships or peculiar situations among friends provides plenty of material for comedic discourse. As long as a speaker is able to keep their dialogue respectful, making light of recent happenings often serves as great source material for humor.

That being said, even if the topic being addressed is objectively lighthearted, being mindful of how sensitive it may come off to some members of the audience is important.

When necessary, debaters should employ tact when approaching certain subjects and always strive to treat any individuals involved with respect in their presentations.

Kept within healthy limits, talking about events can be quite amusing and engaging – it can bring out not only laughter but positive conversations between family, friends and participants alike.

Leading into the next section now: Personal topics also provide an abundance of funny speech topics that will surely strike a chord with any group.

Personal Topics

When it comes to comedy, the personal touch can make all the difference. Taking your speech topic from something close to home such as family, work or hobbies can often result in an entertaining and relatable topic.

Whether you choose to do a light-hearted take on a serious issue or bravely share some embarrassing stories, there’s sure to be something funny within your own experience.

For instance, exploring the “family dynamic” is often a great place to start. Even in the tightest of families, the occasional funny moment can emerge. Tell a story about an occasion where everyone was struggling to act their best and you had a laugh at their expense.

Or explore how certain family members are always found in the center of attention (even if they don’t intend to be). If done in good taste and with respect, poking fun at your family can result in some sincere laughs from both yourself and your audience.

These topics provide an opportunity for self-deprecating humor and bring a unique perspective on life that others may find both humorous and intriguing.

Personal insights into everyday struggles, misunderstandings or awkward moments can lead to topics that are surprisingly relatable. You will find that what you feel is ordinary can actually be extraordinary in someone else’s eyes.

Keep in mind, though, that when taking this approach, it is important to never offend anyone with your comments or jokes. Embrace embarrassment but never belittle any individuals or groups who are part of your stories or experiences

By leaning into those funny moments – whether they involve yourself or others – they can become powerful tools that make your speech memorable and enjoyable. Now let’s move onto telling funny stories – which also has its own unique set of advantages!

Personal topics can make comedy writing unique and relatable. Telling stories involving family and funny moments can provide entertainment while being respectful. Touching on ordinary struggles and awkward situations can lead to humor while still avoiding offending anyone directly. Humorously embracing embarrassment will help make speeches memorable.

Telling Funny Stories

Telling funny stories is an effective way to make your audience laugh, as stories are usually much more relatable than jokes.

People of all ages will often enjoy hearing a clever anecdote that they can relate to or that paints a vivid picture in their mind. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when telling a funny story as part of your speech.

First, it is important to remember that time is limited. Try to select anecdotes that have a clear beginning, middle, and end that are not too long-winded or complicated. Make sure the story you choose conveys your point while making it entertaining.

One debate between comedians and public speakers is whether stories should be made up or true. On the one hand, factual stories can be full of fascinating nuances and details and may appeal to some audiences.

True stories allow you to fully describe an experience for the audience’s enjoyment or gain a better understanding of the person telling it.

On the other hand, comedic opinions often say that made-up stories can be even funnier than real events if they present a creative spin on life. Whichever route you choose, always try to turn your story into a humble brag!

No matter which type of story you tell, ensure that it fits in with your overall message, as this helps tie it together for the listener. With any luck your humor will land with the crowd and keep them engaged until you reach the conclusion.

To help prepare for delivering such an important section of your presentation, let’s move on to looking at some useful tips for Writing and Delivering a Funny Speech.

Tips for Writing and Delivering a Funny Speech

Writing and delivering a funny speech can be a rewarding experience, especially if you can make your audience roar with laughter. However, crafting an effective comedic monologue takes skill, confidence and sometimes a bit of trial and error. To help you get started, here are some tips for writing and delivering a funny speech: 1. Understand Your Audience – Study your audience to determine what kind of humor they will respond to. For example, family-friendly jokes will play better at a dinner table than a corporate conference room. Adjust your standards accordingly to ensure the best outcome. 2. Know What Not to Do – A true professional comedian knows what not to say or do during their performance. Avoid vulgar language, off-color jokes and controversial topics that may offend certain members of your audience. Also, it’s important to know how far is too far when making fun of yourself or colleagues. 3. Write Your Speech First – Write out the speech first before even attempting to deliver it in front of others. This will give you more control over the timing and pacing of key punch lines for optimum effect¹. It also eliminates any confusion about the order you want to deliver your jokes in front of an audience. 4. Rehearse – Even if you have written the speech beforehand, practice multiple times until you are comfortable delivering it in public or private settings. Know which visual aids (if any) will engage your audience during key points in the speech. 5. Have Fun – When delivering a funny speech, don’t take yourself too seriously! Relax, have fun and let your personality shine through while you tell your story or jokes³. Then enjoy the applause after each punch line lands! Ultimately, writing and delivering a funny speech requires knowledge, skill and dedication—but done right, it can be very rewarding! Now let’s move on to addressing how we can use humor appropriately in our speeches…

Use Humor Appropriately

When giving a speech, it is important to use humor appropriately. Too much humor can actually dilute the impact of an otherwise persuasive message.

Adding bits of humor throughout the presentation will keep an audience engaged and help make your points easier to remember. But if you attempt too many jokes during your speech, it can be distracting for listeners and actually work against your intended message.

Adopting a humorous persona or mocking people who disagree with you can be dangerous because members of your audience may take offense. It is recommended to base humor on personal experiences or stories that you know your audience can relate to in order to ensure the best response.

Likewise, comedian Jerry Seinfeld suggests avoiding overt political material in your speech–which should come as no surprise considering how polarizing politics has become these days.

Overall, it is important to strike the right balance when adding humor to a speech. Humor should be used sparingly and should stay away from controversial topics unless done skillfully; otherwise, it can backfire instead of unifying your audience or making a strong point. With this in mind, let’s look at some examples of humorous speech topics next.

Examples of Humorous Speech Topics

When it comes to funny speeches, it’s important to find a topic that resonates with your audience. If you can make an audience laugh, the speech will be remembered for years to come. While humor may differ from culture to culture, there are some topics that remain universally funny. Here are a few examples: • The Pros and Cons of Dating an Alien • How to Create an App That Makes Doing Laundry Easier • A Practical Guide To Quitting Your Job and Becoming an Astronaut • Surviving a Zombie Invasion Without Looking Too Silly • How To Be The Life Of Any Party By Creating Inventive Dances • A Tour Of Local Haunted Locations These humorous speech topics could also be used as the basis for some light-hearted debate, offering the opportunity to explore both sides of a comedic argument. Ultimately, with each topic, the possibilities and potentials of making a crowd laugh are endless!

It is clear from looking at the speech topics discussed in this article that humor can be found everywhere and used in a variety of forms. A funny speech does not have to contain jokes or stand up comedy, but can simply use wit, wordplay and well-timed delivery to draw attention and elicit laughter from an audience.

When preparing a funny speech, it is important to consider the topic carefully and ensure that it is appropriate for the context. Some people may find certain topics offensive or inappropriate depending on their preferences, so these should be avoided when giving a humorous speech.

The topics presented in this article cover a wide range of perspectives and provide ample opportunity for crafting an entertaining and memorable speech. If crafting your own material is not something you feel comfortable with, there are many sources available on the internet which provide ready-made humor suitable for speeches.

Ultimately, whatever speech topic you choose, the most important thing is that it resonates with your audience and makes them laugh!

Responses to Frequently Asked Questions with Detailed Explanations

What are some tips for delivering a funny speech.

1. Start by rehearsing your speech – make sure you know it word for word and practice delivering it with the right tone of voice and body language . Rehearsing will also help you memorize what to say if you get nervous during the performance. 2. Keep your audience in mind when choosing your topic. Make jokes and references that your audience will appreciate and understand – don’t try too hard to be funny if others won’t get the joke. 3. Come up with creative ways to capture your audience’s attention from the start – tell stories, anecdotes, or jokes that pique their interest and connect to your overall message. 4. Stay away from crude humour or off-color remarks if they aren’t appropriate for the situation. Make sure whatever jokes you make are lighthearted and not offensive or hurtful to anyone in the room. 5. Have fun! If you come across as too serious or uptight, no one will laugh at your jokes. Don’t be afraid to exaggerate or bring enthusiasm when delivering your speech – it will make it much more entertaining.

What topics are suitable for a funny speech?

Some excellent topics for a funny speech include: 1. Inexplicable Mishaps – Stories about your funniest mistakes, blunders, and bumbles! 2. Unusual Occupations – Share the details of your weirdest job or wackiest hobby. 3. Unforeseen Consequences – Talk about decisions you regret and the hilarious results that followed. 4. Random Animal Facts – Insert some hilarious animal trivia from around the world into your speech. 5. Dumb Criminals – Discuss the most foolish criminals and their failed attempts at avoiding justice. 6. Childhood Memories – Recount humorous moments from your childhood to brighten the mood of your audience. 7. Bad Jokes – Use classic puns, tongue-twisters, and one-liners to get the crowd laughing. 8. Comical Slogans – Talk about corporate catchphrases that are humorous in unintended ways! 9. Upcycled Language – Create new words or tweak old ones to give them a funny spin and make people chuckle! 10. Cultural Commentaries – Discuss deficiencies and absurdities in popular culture that can spark a good laugh from your listeners!

What types of funny speeches would be suitable for different audiences?

When determining which type of funny speech would be suitable for different audiences, it’s important to consider several factors. For instance, the age, gender, interests, and background of the audience will all play a role in deciding on a topic.

For example, if your audience is mainly composed of young students or professionals in their 20s and 30s, you might want to focus on topics that are relevant to their experiences such as relationships, technology, popular culture, and current events. You could also make jokes about self-deprecating humour, sarcasm, and irony.

If the audience is made up of mostly seniors or retirees, you may want to focus on topics like nostalgia, family stories, and observations about retirement. You can use human interest stories and light-hearted anecdotes to make them laugh.

For college audiences with various backgrounds and interests, you’ll want to focus on topics such as sports rivalries, differences between generations or cultures , or even absurdist humour.

Organizing a funny speech around a common experience that everyone in the room can relate to will help ensure it resonates with the whole audience. Doing some research beforehand can provide lots of inspiration for appropriate funny speech topics that are sure to make your audience laugh!

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Write Funny Speeches With These Important Tips

Table of Contents

Writing a speech is hard enough; now, you have to add humor to it. It requires creativity, precision and wit. But with the right tips and tricks, you can create an amazing piece of work that will have your audience laughing in no time!

In this article, we’ll provide some important advice on  how to write a humorous persuasive speech  that gets results.

From understanding the role of comedy to drawing on personal experiences, there are many great ideas to help you compose a memorable presentation. Get ready to make them giggle – let’s explore these essential strategies for writing hilarious speeches today!

How to Write a Humorous Persuasive Speech

The key to knowing how to write a humorous persuasive speech is understanding the role of comedy in your presentation. You need to know how to use words effectively and draw on personal experiences or anecdotes to lighten up the mood.

With some practice and creativity, you can create an amazing piece of work that will have your audience laughing out loud! 

Don’t Forget the Purpose

First, it’s important to understand the role of comedy when writing a humorous and persuasive speech.

Comedy can help break down barriers between you and the listeners by creating a more relaxed atmosphere. It also gives your presentation an edge by making it memorable. But don’t forget: humor should not take away from the actual message that you are trying to convey. Make sure your jokes don’t distract from the main points of your argument.

Consider Twists and Wordplay

Next, think about how you want to use words to make your speech funny. Puns, wordplay, and unexpected twists are all great tools for adding comedic flair.

To keep your audience engaged, try mixing up common phrases with uncommon words. This will help make them pay attention and stay interested in what you’re saying . Don’t forget to add a little colloquial language as well; it helps bring life to your speech and adds personality.

Take Inspiration From Personal Experiences

When crafting a humorous speech, one of the most important things to remember is to draw upon personal experiences and stories.

Incorporating anecdotes into your speech creates a natural connection with the audience. It allows them to relate to what you’re saying in a more meaningful way.

These stories give people something to laugh at. In addition, they also provide insight into who you are and why your ideas matter. 

man holding microphone

Have Some Fun While at It

Finally, don’t be afraid to have fun! A humorous and persuasive speech requires boldness and confidence in order to really capture the room.

If you’re feeling nervous or overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that the goal here is to entertain. Keep calm and carry on — after all, laughter can be contagious if done right! 

Overall, writing a humorous persuasive speech may seem intimidating at first, but with the right guidance, you can write one in no time.

Final Words

Now, you’re armed with the knowledge of how to compose a funny speech . The next step is to put it to use. Persuading people with humor is an invaluable skill that can help you present your arguments better.

Write Funny Speeches With These Important Tips

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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How to write a funny speech – Part 1

how to write a funny speech

WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN HOW TO WRITE A FUNNY SPEECH

Understanding how to deliver a speech well will make you feel good but being able to weave humour into any speech will get you noticed. Today we expect speakers to entertain as well as inform us, so understanding  how to write a funny speech  is an essential skill for aspiring presenters.   This is the first in series of short articles designed to help you learn the secret of weaving humour into your speeches.

ALWAYS START WITH THE STORY

The best way to introduce fun into a speech is by telling stories. And the best kind of stories are personal ones. Speakers who do this get the most laughs and make the most impact.  Human beings have passed on information through storytelling since the dawn of time and, as a result, our brains are programmed to listen to and absorb stories better than any other form of information.   When it comes to writing a humorous speech, think of it in terms of a story.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY?

The structure of stories has been studied and analysed for centuries, and one of the most powerful story forms is known as “The Hero’s Journey.” In a nutshell, it can be described as “Who wants what, what stops them from getting it, and how do they get it anyway?”

For example, in a business presentation, the “hero” could be a customer who wants to do something but cannot because of a problem.  Your product or service is the solution, and you can show how by using it, the hero achieves their desired goal.

START BY BECOMING A STORY COLLECTOR

If you are alive, then you have inevitably had experiences from which you have learned a wealth of things. Whats more, many of these experiences will have a humorous element to them and so can be used to help make your messages funny and memorable. Everyone has such stories, and everyone shares them with family, friends and sometimes colleagues, but most people do not bother to record them.

If you want to know how to write a funny speech, then you need to start by writing your personal experiences down.   It doesn’t matter if it’s on paper in a notebook or online via your mobile phone, tablet or computer.   The important thing is that you start to capture these experiences so that you can mine them for material.  That’s an essential part of how to write a funny speech.

Tip:  Start capturing stories TODAY.  Don’t worry if you can’t remember all the details.   I usually start by brainstorming ideas using a mind map. One or two words is often enough to trigger our memories.  The details can be added later and I’ll be speaking more about this in the next post.

P.S. Please help me help as many people as possible by sharing  this post with your friends and colleagues via social media.

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How to Write Comedy — Tips Techniques Script Examples Featured

  • Scriptwriting

How to Write Comedy — Tips, Techniques & Script Examples

A sk any creative writer what the hardest genre to write is and they’ll probably tell you that it’s comedy. That’s because story structure can only bring you so far in comedy writing – the fact of the matter is that if you aren’t funny, you aren’t funny. So how do you become funny? Do you read joke books? No! Like everything else, you practice until you become perfect – well, not perfect per se – most comedy writers would be happy with just okay. We’re going to show you how to write comedy, with script examples from 21 Jump Street and Curb Your Enthusiasm , but first, let’s define comedy writing.

Guide to Comedic Writing

What is comedy writing.

In simplest terms, comedy writing is a genre of writing that is intended to be funny. There’s much more to it than that, but first and foremost, the chief goal is to make the audience laugh. Let’s watch a quick video to hear one of the most successful comedy writers of all-time, Jerry Seinfeld, explain the basics of comedy writing.

Writing Comedy  •  Jerry Seinfeld on How to Write a Joke With The New York Times

Jerry Seinfeld Headshot StudioBinder

Comedy writing is something you don’t see people doing. It’s a secretive thing.

— Jerry Seinfeld

As Seinfeld suggests, comedy writing is a very secretive thing. One reason why is because most comedy writers feel like their material has to be perfect before it’s presented. 

Think about it this way: let’s say you write a dramatic stage play. There’s no way to tell if the audience hated it – except if they fell asleep, then I’d say it’s fair to say they hated it. Now let’s say you write a comedic play. If the audience doesn’t laugh at the jokes, then you know they hated it.

You know, they know, everybody knows – a joke that doesn’t land is a special type of shame . It’s for this reason that comedy writing can feel so personal. The most important thing to remember is that nobody is funny 100% of the time, but by taking inspiration from some of the best, we can improve our craft.

Comedy writing doesn’t have to be a solitary craft. Due to the advent of the internet, comedy is more collaborative now more than ever. This next video explains how the Lonely Island sketch “Dear Sister” helped to usher in a new era of comedy.

How to Write Comedy  •  How ‘Dear Sister’ Changed Comedy by Karsten Runquist

The difference between Seinfeld’s traditionalist advice on comedy writing and Karsten Runquist’s new-age analysis is that one says that comedy is achieved by plot ; the other says that plot is achieved by comedy. Think of memes for example: what makes a meme funny? Well, I’d say memes are funny because somebody doesn’t “get it.”

A meme is like an inside joke between millions of people – but once it breaks out of that “inside” bubble, then it ceases to be funny. This teaches us something essential about comedy writing; almost always, somebody has to be the butt of the joke. No matter how big or small, somebody has to be made fun of. It’s this very notion that makes comedy writing so difficult. 

Rules of Comedy, Explained

Tips and tricks for writing comedy.

One of the most difficult aspects of comedy script writing is finding the right person to perform it. You could write something really clever, but if it’s performed in a tone that’s incongruent to what you mean, then it’s not going to sound funny.

So when writing any sort of comedy, don’t be afraid to add emphasis. That’s true in more ways than one – emphasize the punch-lines to your jokes, emphasize specificity, and emphasize contradictions. 

Like any type of writing, comedy writing relies on conflict . In this scene from Meet the Parents , the family patriarch Jack interrogates his daughter’s boyfriend Greg. Pay attention to how screenwriters Jim Herzfeld and John Hamburg entice us with character conflict.

How to Write Comedy  •  Watch the Meet the Parents Lie Detector Test Scene

I wanted to look at this scene for a couple reasons. The first is that it’s a great structural example of how to put together a comedic scene. The mean dad, clueless boyfriend trope is just that... a trope. So how do the writers make it feel refreshing and new?

Well, it starts with emphasis and exaggeration. Jack isn’t just any dad, he’s a former CIA operative. And Greg’s not just a clueless boyfriend, he’s a walking bad-luck charm. So in a structural sense, this relationship is primed for comedic conflict.

Here are five great tips for writing a comedy scene:

  • Take a typical situation and exaggerate it
  • Let tension build
  • Use specificity
  • Embarrass someone
  • Finish with a bang

Now let’s see how Meet the Parents  utilizes these five strategies.

  • Greg is visiting his girlfriend’s family. This is a typical situation – and at some level, it’s something we can all relate to. But it’s exaggerated by Jack’s CIA background.
  • Say you’re the writer of a story like  Meet the Parents  and you have a great structural conflict between two characters (Jack and Greg) – how do you take that tension and build it? Well, start by putting the two characters in close proximity.
  • Specificity is a double-edged sword in comedy writing. Notice how Greg is wearing Jack’s pajamas with the little JB insignia on the chest-pocket? That’s funny. Notice how there are a bunch of pictures of Jack undercover in the CIA? That’s funny. And it’s funny because it’s not forced on us.
  • Jack embarrasses Greg by asking him uncomfortable questions. Situationally, this is funny, and it’s elevated by Robert De Niro’s great deadpan delivery. 
  • Like Jerry Seinfeld said, always save the best joke for last. It’s an expectation in comedy writing that you’re going to end with a bang. In this scene from  Meet the Parents , it’s when Jack asks Greg if he watches porn.

WRITING COMEDY TIPS

How to make your script funny.

Would you believe me when I say there’s a secret technique you can use to instantly make any scene funnier? No, that sounds too good to be true! But alas, it is.

The technique known as irony  – which is defined as being the opposite of what we expect – can turn any scene on its head.

How to Write Comedy Jump Street Irony Example StudioBinder Screenwriting Software

How to Write Comedy  •  21 Jump Street Screenplay

21 Jump Street went through a lengthy rewrite process. In this revision of the script, undercover cops Jenko and Schmidt arrive at a scene somewhat akin to what we see in the original tv show. There’s nothing wrong with the scene as it was originally written – but the final version of the scene shows just how much a difference irony can make.

Here, Jenko takes the lead, expecting to command the crowd like he did in high school. But as Bob Dylan famously said, the times are a-changin’. 

How to Write Comedy  •  Watch 21 Jump Street 

We expect Jenko to be considered “cool.” But instead, he’s condemned. Conversely, we expect Schmidt to be considered “lame.” But instead, he’s celebrated. This is irony . This character dynamic makes 21 Jump Street feel refreshing. If you’re considering writing a comedy script, think about how contrived character stereotypes can be subverted with irony. 

Writing Comedy Taboos

Things to avoid in comedy writing.

Most comedians will tell you that no topic is off-limits in comedy writing. And although that may be true, just remember that it’s really hard to make certain things funny – and you’re not going to win audiences over making jokes about taboo subject matter. 

We’ve all heard the saying “read the room” before, but how do we “read the room” when we’re writing alone? Well, one way is to take notes when you’re out in public, then transcribe them into a routine, sketch, or scene later. If you know Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm , then this process may sound familiar.

This next video explains Larry David’s writing process for Curb in further detail.

Comedy Writing Techniques  •  How to Write Comedy Like Larry David by StoryDive

The reason I bring up Curb in regards to “what to avoid in comedy writing” is because Larry David is a master of navigating that ever-so-delicate line. Take this clip from Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Nine, Ep. 8 for example.

How to Write Humor  •  Study Perspective in this Curb Your Enthusiasm Clip

In this montage scene, a Muslim investigator looks into Larry’s past to see if he deserves a fatwa. In each part of the montage, a delicate subject matter is addressed. Why is it funny? Well, it’s all about perspective. In Curb Your Enthusiasm , Larry is consistently made out to be the bad guy. By framing him as the good guy, we see the ludicrousy of the show’s situations in a new light.

Don’t be afraid to play with perspective. Sometimes, the comedy of a scene is found in a perspective you would’ve never guessed. Consider framing your comedic situations in different ways.

This experimentation will often help you find the best angle to present your jokes.

Comedy lessons from Gene Wilder

We touched on a lot of the foundational aspects of comedy writing, but there’s so much more to it than what we went over here. In this next article, we break down how to direct actors, with special emphasis on how Gene Wilder changed comedy. By studying Wilder’s comedic style, we can learn a lot about how to be a better comedy writer.

Up Next: Directing Comedy Actors →

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  • 188 funny how-to speech topics

Funny how-to speech topics

188 funny topics for a demonstration speech

By:  Susan Dugdale   | Last modified: 11-22-2023

Give us some funny how-to speech topics! None of your bore them to snoring speech ideas. We want funny, chucklesome ones. Ones to make them smile.☺

And you've got them: 188 funny how-to speech ideas, plus a printable outline document to help you efficiently plan your speech, and a completed example of a funny how-to speech outline to show you how it might be done.

Use the page index links to jump to the section you want.

What's on this page?

  • Defining funny and choosing a topic
  • How to yarn bomb with aplomb and 25 more topic ideas
  • How to dance like no one is watching and 27 other suggestions
  • How to enter hobby horse riding competitions and win and 27 more
  • How to make pumpkins feel OK about being carved for Halloween and 25 more funny how to speech ideas
  • How to be a hero to your children and 24 more
  • How to interpret the decor of a room. What does it say about a person? and 25 more speech topic suggestions
  • How to speak fluent emoji and 27 more funny how to speech ideas
  • Printable funny how-to speech outline document
  • Example of a funny how-to speech outline
  • Links to more demonstration speech resources
  • Links to onsite resources for working with humor

Defining 'funny' and choosing a topic

Funny doesn't necessarily mean laughing out loud, helpless giggling or crying because something is just so, so hilarious. 

Funny can also be quiet smiles and a chuckle of appreciation.

You'll find opportunities for all shapes and sizes of it here from pure slapstick through to ridiculous absurdism. 

As you move through the topic suggestions look for possibilities to play with and extend strengths you may already have. 

Do you move well? What about a topic like, " How to dance like no one's watching"? You could teach some exaggerated dance moves and get your audience up and moving.

Or "How to master the art of silly walking". That too offers audience involvement opportunities.

Can you do straight face? Or dead pan? Yes? What about a totally daft topic that you take utterly seriously? One like: "How to take a perfect selfie: share funny tips on posing, lighting, and editing for Instagram-worthy photos."

Or "How to make pumpkins feel OK about being carved for Halloween". I can see the pumpkins being counselled, spoken to gently, being listened to... ☺

Some are soft skills , and some are hard.  Whatever you choose, I hope you have fun! 

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Image: tree that has been colorfully yarn bombed! Text: How to yarn bomb with aplomb - 188 funny how to speech topics.

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Image: two small children wearing cowboy clothes riding hobby horses. Text: How to enter hobby horse riding competitions and win. 188 funny how to speech topics.

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Image: wallpaper - smiling carved pumpkins and black bats. Text: How to make pumpkins feel OK about being carved for Halloween. 188 funny how to speech topics.

  • How to make pumpkins feel OK about being carved for Halloween
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Printable funny how to speech outline document

To make planning your speech easier, here's a printable funny how to speech outline document (pdf). To download it click on the image below. (It will open in a new window.)

Image: 2 rows of emojis on a yellow background. Text: Click to download a printable funny how to speech outline document

Example of a funny how to speech outline

My example speech outline, below, follows the pattern I've used in the printable. The heading for each section has been  bolded .

Title of speech : How to write perfect excuse notes.

General purpose : to entertain or amuse while giving a 'soft skill' * , 'show and tell' or demonstration speech.

Specific purpose : to demonstrate, with humor, how to write an effective excuse note. 

Central idea (thesis statement) : to show how putting some thought and time into preparing an excuse note can lessen the fallout or damage caused by not doing whatever it was that you were expected to.

For example: come to school or work, come at the required time, hand in an assignment, or arrive with the right equipment and wearing the right clothes.

* Soft skills -also known as power skills, common skills, essential skills, or core skills, are skills applicable to all professions. For more this Wikipedia definition and explanation .

Speech introduction - what's your hook?

There are quite a number of ways to hook an audience - to make them sit up and want to listen from moment you open your mouth. These include using a startling statistic, asking a rhetorical question, sharing a compelling story, using an apt quotation or showing an interesting visual aid.

Which attention grabber will you use?

Attention grabber(s)

Rhetorical question:

How effective do you think these excuse notes were?

3 examples of notes:

  • "Jimmy will be absent from school on Mondays until further notice. Adding an extra day to the weekend will lower his stress levels, as well as ours. We believe mental health is important." 
  • "Stephanie had to stay at home yesterday because she had to wash and dry her hair."
  • "Brook's kid brother barfed on her book. We couldn't clean it and had to throw it out." 

The next section is about establishing your authority or right to talk on your chosen subject. Why should your audience listen to you? How much do know about the topic? What experience have you had?

Credibility builders:

I taught teenagers for many years, and these are examples of excuse notes that were given to me.

I got literally 1000s and some were way more effective than others.

The majority of them were very ordinary: with nothing distinguishing them at all. They served their purpose. I filed and forgot them.

However, sometimes parents, caregivers or the student unintentionally excelled themselves. Their very funny notes were meant to be taken seriously no matter how cliched, far-fetched or ludicrous they were to me.

There is a definite limit to the number of grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, best friends... whose final act of kindness and consideration is to conveniently and suddenly die, how many times a person can be smitten by a horrible stomachache, a throbbing headache, or the dog can eat the homework.

Preview:  

So, what is a perfect excuse note? One that is believable. One that is concise, respectful in tone, and shows a responsible attitude: i.e. an understanding of the possible impact of not turning homework in, missing classes or not coming into work. It has also been proofread to pick up lapses in logic, spelling or grammatical errors, is formatted well and handed over prior to being prompted for it.

This, dear audience, is what you're going to find out more about today: how to craft an effective excuse note. One addressing why it was you failed to submit an assignment on time. 

Or one to help smooth over an absence, whether caused by genuinely unforeseen circumstances out of your personal control or by the simple desire to 'bunk off' - to not be where you are supposed to be, just because. And let's face it, who hasn't been tempted to do that occasionally?

An excuse note prepared well helps maintain mutual trust and respect while hopefully minimizing any possible negative consequences. Knowing how to write one is a valuable essential skill.

The next section, a transition, takes us into the body of speech. The body is the heart or main part of the speech where you fulfill its primary purpose: to show or teach your audience how to write perfect excuse notes - step by step.

(The remaining parts/steps of this outline are mostly in note form. They'll need additional fleshing out to make them into a followable, interesting, funny speech.)   

Transition : Are you ready? Let's get on with it.

Body of speech

Step One: Know your audience

Understanding who you are addressing in your note is essential if you want the note to work for you, rather than against you. Example.

  • What does the person receiving the note need from you? - a believable reason for either your absence, or not handing in your assignment - an assurance that whatever duties etc. you were supposed to fulfil and didn't will be made up for. Examples. 
  • Depending on the circumstances, a doctor's certificate, to verify what you say in your note. 
  • What do they expect in an excuse note from you? - honesty, accuracy, respect, understanding of the possible implications of the event on them.
  • When do they need the note? - as soon as possible.

Transition:

Step Two: What NOT to do The majority of funny excuse notes are funny by accident. Their writers did not intend them to be amusing. They knew no better. Literally. 

Here's a list of common pitfalls to avoid.

  • Oversharing - Whoever is on the receiving end of your note does not need to know all the intimate-up-close-and-personal details of what happened. Or who said what to who about it and how. What's needed is a concise, clear summary or account. Example of over sharing and the same example rewritten concisely.
  • Vagueness - using language that avoids naming or giving the reason necessitating an excuse note. Examples of vagueness - due to unforeseen circumstances, events beyond my control
  • Fake information - deliberately providing false information for whatever reason. Once lying is found out it can be difficult to rebuild trust. 
  • Informality - blurring boundaries between positions, for example, student and teacher, parent of student and teacher, employee and employer, by using colloquial language that is generally used between friends and acquaintances. It shows a lack of understanding about the nature of the relationship. Examples - Hey bro, etc., ...
  • Lack of proof-reading - reading over to pick up typos, words that have been left out by accident, inconsistencies - details that don't logically line up as they should, missing information - signature, contact details, dates etc. Examples.
  • Poor presentation/formatting - the note should be easily read. Choose a clean clear font, black ink, white paper and space it properly. Examples showing poor v good.

Transition: While it might be amusing to get inadequately prepared excuse notes the consequences for the writer may not be so funny. To dodge that possibility, let's prepare two good excuse notes which you can use as guides. 

Step Three: Crafting the perfect note

Prepare example excuse notes:

  • from a parent to a teacher to cover their child not handing in an assignment
  • from an employee to an employer to cover unexpected absence from work
  • Gathering necessary information - name of the person the note is to go, reason for the note: illness, family emergency, severe weather event (flooding, snowstorm...), transport breakdown, appointment with medical specialist, lawyer, dentist..., specific dates it covers, contact details
  • Outline of what will/has been done to minimize impact - delegation of tasks, rescheduling of meetings, arrangement made to catch up on completing the assignment...
  • Content, Tone and Proofreading/formatting check   Is the note clear and concise? Does it cover everything it should? Is the tone of the language appropriate? Are there any spelling errors, word omissions or lapses in logic? Has the note been formatted well?  

Example of note from parent to teacher

Example of note from employee to employer

Transition: The final results of this process will never be as ridiculously silly as some of the reasons I've been given or the ones we can find online:  "Someone stole all my shoes." or "My dog is depressed, and this morning he finally summoned the courage to tell me about it. I have to stay at home to support him.".

We won't be rolling in the aisles reading them. However, they'll achieve much more than a laugh at some else's expense will ever do. 

Conclusion: Wrapping it up

Part one: summary

Writing a perfect excuse note is an essential and learnable skill.

Part two: benefit recall

A well-crafted excuse note demonstrates professionalism, maturity, and the ability to take responsibility. It shows respect, creates continuity, and builds mutual trust. 

Part three: call to action

The next time you need to write an excuse note make sure you go above and beyond the joke!

Other resources for how-to speeches

For more about demonstration or how-to speeches:

  • Demonstration speeches step-by-step | how to give a successful 'how-to' or 'show and tell' demonstrative speech.
  • Demonstration speech sample outline - an example that follows the logical step-by-step process that is essential for any "how to" type of speech.

For demonstration speech topic ideas - 100s of suggestions, including 50 on soft skills - how to say 'no' politely, how to handle a temper tantrum, how to be gracious in defeat...

Other resources for working with humor

Image: retro cartoon drawing of a young handsome man laughing and pointing. Text: ha, ha, ha.

Humor is notoriously tricky to get right because one person's funny is another person's not. And when we do get it wrong, it can be very difficult to recover and win back the audience's attention.

  • How to use humor effectively in speeches  - 6 tips with examples. What gets a laugh? What doesn't and, why?
  • Laughter as strategy - The 7 pillars of humor for impactful business presentations (Article by Damien Gauthier - Impactful Speaking)

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writing a funny speech

420 Funny Speech Topics: Informative, Persuasive, for Presentations

One of the greatest problems of the scholarly world is the lack of funny topics. So why not jazz it up? How about creating one of those humorous speeches the public is always so delighted to listen to? Making a couple of funny informative speech topics or coming up with a fun topic for presentation is easier than it seems. The experts of Custom-writing.org have prepared for you a fantastic collection of fun informative speech topics with a persuasive speech topic collection as a bonus.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

  • 💬 Informative vs. Persuasive Topics
  • 🤐 How to Make Any Speech Fun?
  • 💉 Topics on Health
  • 🏅 Topics on Sport
  • 👔 Topics on Business
  • ℹ️ Other Topics
  • 😹 220 Persuasive Topics
  • ☝️ Useful Tips
  • 😗 One More Advice

🔍 References

💬 speech topics: informative vs. persuasive.

There are two ways of using information: informative and persuasive speech. In many aspects, both of them can use similar methods, but the outcome is supposed to be different.

Informative speeches intend to provide readers with new data. After listening to such a speech, the audience will know something new. For this reason, the criteria of good informative speaking are freshness and precision of information. It often happens that such texts or speeches are somewhat boring as they address the brain of the listener or reader rather than their heart.

Persuasive speech aims at changing the listener’s opinion. It also uses facts and evidence but does not provide the audience with new information. It is done to support the author’s point of view. It is unethical to use false or misleading facts to influence the audience.

🤐 Top 10 Secrets of Making Any Speech Fun

Regardless of whether the speech is persuasive or informative, the author’s cherished wish is to be remembered. Find out the top 10 tips on how to make a speech engaging and enjoyable.

  • Hook the audience. Nobody knows you yet, so try to create an atmosphere of trust. Address their emotions, no matter what! Make them laugh, get sad, and sympathize with something or someone, or angry and concerned. Emotional connection helps to grab the attention.
  • Make it simple and on-topic. Long sentences, deviations, and complicated vocabulary distract and make everyone bored. Give a brief structure outline in your introduction. Tell the audience what you are going to discuss. It is always easier to listen to a speech if you know its plan.
  • Let it be nice and short. Saturate your sentences with meaning. If any word could be deleted, be sure to remove it. Remember that the ability to concentrate is limited in time. Make your ending timely.
  • It must flow as a story. And it is not only about linking words. Proceed in a logical order. Start with a hook. Then make a statement, elaborating it with facts and reasoning. Repeat it for all of your thesis. Then sum it up with an overview of what you have told. And that’s it!
  • Measure out the humor. Humor can make your speech vivid and engaging. Even if your topic is far from being funny, a small joke can relieve the tension. It will make people more interested in your personality and in what you are going to say.
  • Slides can also be funny. Nobody reads long and colorless pieces of text on the screen. It is easier to listen to your speech. The primary purpose of your presentation is to illustrate your words. But if you make the illustration funny, it will create rapport between you and your audience.
  • Make your listeners relate. When complicated issues are compared with real-life situations, they can be easily understood. We are all humans, and our lives are quite similar in many ways. Use it to create mutual understanding.
  • Prepare a serious conclusion. Now put away irony and humor, and concentrate. People are going to remember your final words better than the main part. Condense your speech to a couple of sentences. Make them weighted and impressing.
  • Practice your speech. Look at yourself in the mirror and speak. You will see what needs corrections.
  • Use gestures. It is obvious but obligatory. Don’t put your hands into the pockets. Use them moderately but expressively.

🤩 200 Funny Informative Speech Topics

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  • Ancient remedies we still use
  • What not to do if you have a cold
  • Is drinking really a bad habit ? How alcohol affects your body – in the right way
  • You are what you eat : weirdest things found in patients’ bodies
  • What would happen to our bodies if we lived on Mars?
  • Bizarre sports you didn’t know existed until now
  • Most famous fails in baseball
  • Why is America the only country that is crazy about baseball?
  • Tallest basketball players of all times
  • Funny incidents at the Olympics: from 1980 until now
  • What the first Olympic Games probably looked like
  • What if men wore the same uniform as women in professional sports
  • I’m too old for that, and other excuses people make to avoid sports
  • Can sports make you smarter? The science behind sports
  • The hidden danger of school sports: beware of the ball!
  • The secret power of e-sports: what can video games teach us?
  • Video games that made our childhood better
  • Craziest business ideas of 2017
  • Funniest startup ideas that will bring you money
  • Things you shouldn’t say in your motivation letter
  • How to trick customers: clever marketing hacks
  • Best and worst adverts of the year
  • How Apple changed the global marketing game
  • Worst tips for promoting your products online
  • If Facebook ads are so annoying, why do companies use them? Benefits of targeted ads
  • Becoming a dream employee: impressing your prospective employer at first sight
  • Millionaires’ morning habits: tips for beginning your day successfully.
  • Ways creative workers can benefit the business
  • Reasons people like conspiracy theories so much
  • We only use 10% of our brain power: myth or reality?
  • How can procrastination be good for you?
  • Artificial intelligence : another step to the world’s end?
  • Weirdest historical events no one can explain yet
  • If Ancient Greek religion was based on myth, can we say that Christianity is, too?
  • The most common cognitive biases that affect how we think
  • Where do stereotypes come from? A socio-historical investigation
  • Do you need a goal in life to be happy?
  • Creative people: the drivers of change or a burden for the society?
  • Time-management tools for dummies or how to meet all your deadlines this term
  • Tiny things to be happy about that happen to us every day
  • Scientific reasons to shorten school week and extend holidays
  • Fun ideas for addressing school bullying and building a positive learning environment
  • What would school life be like if lessons were taught at night?
  • Why we should have school parties every week
  • What did the first schools in history look like?
  • Stay-at-home students: is distance learning the future of education?
  • Best and worst reasons to skip your school classes
  • Surviving the detention: creative activities that could help you pass the time while studying
  • Reasons teachers shouldn’t give homework for Christmas holidays
  • Off-duty: what teachers do when they are not teaching
  • Why some people just can’t do math?
  • Choosing your school subjects without pressure: study what you like.
  • Why all pop songs sound the same
  • Uncovering the science behind hit songs: is there a scientific way to make a good song
  • How successful songs are made and why are they so catchy
  • Funny facts about famous composers and musicians
  • Bizarre conspiracy theories about famous artists
  • Taylor Swift or Nicki Minaj: who is a better role model for kids?
  • Why do rock stars break their guitars on stage?
  • Guilty pleasures: why we love and hate popular love songs?
  • Funniest stage fails of all time – and how they were handled
  • What will the future music industry look like?
  • Top undeserved Grammy awards of all time
  • My favorite American Idol and X-Factor stars
  • Reasons why you and your parents should never be friends on Facebook
  • Funny ways of decorating your Christmas tree
  • Tired of counting sheep before falling asleep? Try counting llamas instead!
  • Choosing your BFF: qualities that make a perfect friend
  • Ways to surprise your employer in an interview
  • Vegetarians live longer – and other myths designed to lure you into a healthy lifestyle
  • Why dogs are human’s best friends – not cats
  • Fat and fabulous: things to learn from your cat
  • The dangers of family dinners and how to avoid them
  • Things you really shouldn’t say on your first date
  • Things you probably should say on your first date
  • Procrastination for creative people: what to do when you’re tired of doing nothing
  • How to clean your room once and for all
  • Tips on making the best Valentine’s day card ever
  • Top craziest amusement park rides in the world
  • Funniest conspiracy theories and why they sound so real
  • The pros and cons of Hogwarts’ housing system
  • Why people and their dogs often look alike
  • A summary of Star Wars – it’s not as confusing as you think
  • Funny Christmas traditions from all over the world
  • How would foreign people react to our stereotypes about their countries?
  • How to know if your pet is plotting a conspiracy against you – signs you should lock your bedroom door at night
  • Fear of trees and other bizarre phobias you never knew were real
  • How to make a perfect birthday cake for your mom
  • Funny reasons why raccoons shouldn’t be kept as pets
  • Butterflies, cats, and skulls: the real meaning behind common tattoos
  • The history of tattoo art: from Ancient times till now
  • Global attractions you must see before you die
  • Inspiring success stories from millionaires – what does it take to become one?
  • How to tell if your friends don’t like your sense of humor
  • Reasons why people find offensive jokes funny
  • Weirdest things people like to eat – from fried cockroaches to bull testicles
  • Creative ways of cooking the turkey – perfect for the holiday season
  • Things we like about TV shows that we don’t get in movies
  • Why young girls shouldn’t be allowed to watch Disney movies
  • The most likely ending to Game of Thrones
  • Home Alone: what do people look for in a perfect Christmas movie?
  • What would the world look like if I ruled it?
  • Things you really shouldn’t say in public
  • Surviving college: how to mildly annoy your roommate
  • How to talk to people you don’t like
  • Why companies should seek to hire more lazy people
  • The advertisement has gone wrong: top worst slogans of all time
  • Things to take with you if you’re left on a desert island
  • Healthy foods no one likes that are good for you
  • Things to do at a party to seem cool
  • Useful tips for saving money in college
  • How to make a perfect paper airplane in class
  • Useless things everyone has at their house
  • Worst presents to give to your sibling
  • Best ways to sneak snacks into a movie
  • Why did Pokemon GO become so popular?
  • Political correctness: have we gone too far ?
  • Best habits to get if you want to live longer
  • Most expensive buildings in America
  • Reasons why you shouldn’t eat flowers
  • The unknown talents of Barack Obama
  • The New Year’s day in different countries
  • Tallest buildings in the world: a ranking
  • Things that are normal in America but weird in other countries
  • Famous haunted houses in America: where horror movies come from
  • Night terrors, anxiety, and other reasons we like horror movies
  • Why parents shouldn’t set a curfew for their kids
  • Reality shows: are they real?
  • Reasons why people love and hate reality shows
  • Top exciting experiences to add to your bucket list
  • Top most extensive libraries in the world
  • How to brainstorm like a pro: natural ways of generating good ideas
  • Why we shouldn’t mute TV commercials: funniest TV ads of the year
  • Ice Age as a metaphor for the modern society
  • A comprehensive guide to ice makers: history, use, and future outlook
  • The popularity of the YMCA in other countries – is it just an American thing?
  • Weirdest foods that taste surprisingly great
  • Ten gross ways of eating a potato
  • Pineapples on pizza and other foods that have people warring with one another
  • The funny meaning behind famous brand names
  • Craziest Harry Potter fan theories you’ve never heard about
  • Do pets get jealous when you pet other animals?
  • How to find out what your parents got you for Christmas
  • Why are some people still denying the fact the Earth is round?
  • The power of persuasion: how to win any argument in 3 easy steps
  • My most embarrassing childhood memory
  • The one time I made my family proud
  • Tips for staying positive
  • Funny things to do during Easter holidays
  • Best pranks for parents that are easy and fun for everyone
  • Do you need special education to become a YouTube blogger?
  • How to tell if you are allergic to dihydrogen monoxide – ten bad signs
  • The unexpected costs of becoming famous on Instagram
  • Red, white, and blue: what do the colors of the flags really mean?
  • The newbie: how I came to school for the first time
  • Foods you never liked as a child that you should try again now
  • How do magic tricks really work: the science and technology behind grand illusions
  • Funny rituals and traditions from different parts of the world
  • Common misconceptions about sheep
  • The most fun museums in America
  • Expensive fashion items that no one would ever wear
  • Becoming immune to pranks: how to keep your cool at all times
  • Reasons why you should be scared of dentists

💉 Fun Informative Speech Topics on Health

  • Gesundheit! Institute : when laughter helps people
  • A human is no king of nature: ten reasons to throw people off the throne
  • The wonders of genetic science : it’s chemistry that does the mix
  • How to become obese in a matter of no time: unhealthy food
  • Busting myths of bad habits: picking the nose with an easy conscience

🏅 Fun Informative Speech Topics on Sport

  • The world’s most unbelievable record breakers
  • Going extreme: most hilarious sports ever
  • Laziness vs. enthusiasm: reasons people don’t take up sports
  • Are sport and intelligence in reverse proportion to one another?
  • The most hilarious things sportscasters have ever said

👔 Fun Informative Speech Topics on Business

  • Unusual ways of making a business: a fun way to succeed
  • Workplace yoga: do not let routine bring you down
  • The unbelievable history of the world’s greatest corporations
  • The difficulties and problems of being a millionaire: poor fortunate souls
  • How to fail a good deal: the ultimate way to do it all wrong

Speak boldly and with intellect - Funny Informative Speech Topics.

ℹ️ Fun Topics for Presentations

  • Greatest misconceptions in the world and what they led to
  • Why people lie: no more pants on fire
  • The power of the human brain: telepathy, levitation, and math
  • World’s unexplainable phenomena: open your eyes
  • The most efficient ways to escape from reality: reading, role-playing, and chatting online
  • If students and teachers switched places: learn to stand in each other’s shoes
  • Stereotypical images of teachers and students : there must be a grain of truth in them
  • The lamest student excuses for missing lectures
  • School paradox: subjects you will never need but still have to learn
  • The most unbelievable means of cheating during exams
  • The most pointless mainstream music lyrics ever
  • Musical genius in real life: the hard truth some people have to live with
  • Something you have already heard: songs that sound practically the same
  • The most annoying songs in the world: why they exist
  • Musicians’ funniest nicknames and where they come from: the epitome of comedy

😹 220 Funny Persuasive Speech Topics

  • British accent sounds strange.
  • Do boys and girls like to gossip equally?
  • Being the smallest child in the family is an unpleasant experience.
  • Why being tall for a girl can be troublesome?
  • The worst gifts in my life were big and useless.
  • Every day we make lots of dumb things.
  • Can you make dinner with the simplest products?
  • If you have a younger sibling, your life grows complicated.
  • Differences in friendship with boys and girls.
  • The most embarrassing situations happen when everyone is looking at you.
  • Parents give weird names to their kids to show off.
  • Most fairy tales have a second meaning.
  • What should you never tell at your first date?
  • Why is it easier to look for a girlish present?
  • Canadian English VS American English.
  • Should you tell your friend that their date is cheating?
  • What makes a perfect husband/wife?
  • What are the signs that it is time to leave the party?
  • Can you train a pet to do the housework?
  • Why are creative people the least successful in life?
  • Large cities have their own driving rules.
  • Would life be a disaster if we could not lie?
  • Why do some women think that it is easier to be a man?
  • What are the criteria for being a lady?
  • Sleeping outdoors is exciting, but scary.
  • What can a hairstyle tell about the person?
  • Dogs and their masters look alike.
  • What is the most entertaining occupation for grade 8 children?
  • If your partner is snoring, you lose a couple of years of sleep during your life.
  • What would happen to the world if people were unable to say no?
  • Why do men feel so sick when they have a 37-degree temperature?
  • In a century we will have to move to another planet.
  • Internet addiction is our new reality.
  • The worst fear of schoolchildren.
  • A friendship between girls and boys lasts until affection emerges.
  • Why don’t people believe you when your dog has eaten your homework?
  • What do teachers do when they are out of school?
  • Being lazy enhances your productivity.
  • Would our childhood be happier if we had as much pocket money as we wanted?
  • Time in traffic jams could be used for personal development.
  • If a fairy could make a wish come true, what would it be?
  • A person can survive on a desert island with a knife and a lighter.
  • We get bored because we cannot choose what to do.
  • The best way to become a bad boss.
  • Are there phrases that can spoil the most pleasant conversation?
  • Do we dream about our desires or fears?
  • Why do we never fulfill our New Year resolutions?
  • Children should realize that they also watch their parents grow up.
  • How to make your Christmas tree pet- and childproof?
  • Making a time capsule makes your life more meaningful.
  • Should we help the person who never receives Valentine Cards to receive one?
  • Feng Shui will make your life better if you start working hard and not engage in such silly things.
  • A spoilt first date is a ticket to success in a relationship.
  • Would the world become a better place if we could spend just one day in another gender’s body?
  • Jealous women are hilarious and inventive.
  • Would you like to be paid for doing nothing?
  • Every mother is happy when her children leave her in peace.
  • Selfies are attractive only to their author.
  • Men should be told when women have PMS.
  • People hike because it makes them appreciate the conveniences of their homes.
  • Why do men consider women incredible?
  • Why do we lose our minds when we fall in love?
  • What would happen if men were more emphatic and lyrical than women?
  • An average toddler resembles very much of a drunk adult.
  • In a decade after marriage, a man learns the art of simulating to listen to his spouse.
  • If men had periods, it would never be a taboo subject.
  • Life is easier when you are a woman.
  • Should there be costume holidays for middle school pupils?
  • My pet would become my best friend if it could talk.
  • What is the meaning of life?
  • We could spend a lifetime at a computer screen, yet having an interesting life.
  • We can learn to be happy from our pets.
  • Children’s costumes at kindergartens are humiliating.
  • Everything that is not poisonous is edible.
  • Why shouldn’t you dream of becoming a millionaire?
  • Why are men so proud of being men?
  • We are all addicted to something.
  • The best recipes were created by accident.
  • Your outfit has a strong influence on the success of your day.
  • Retirement is the second childhood.
  • Computer games make us stupid.
  • Humankind is an epidemic for our planet.
  • Anything could be fun if you weren’t obliged to do it.
  • Graduation is when all the fun comes to an end.
  • Talented people don’t have time to get concerned with success.
  • Long-distance relationships are best for adults.
  • If anything can get spoilt, it will.
  • Our lives are funnier than we tend to think.
  • Night dreams are the most laughable thing in life.
  • Unexpected things make the best entertaining speech topics.
  • No homework means happy childhood.
  • Adults are just spoilt children.
  • What is the funniest villain in the history of cinema?
  • Most children make a semblance of having cleaned their room.
  • Your own funny presentation topics always sound better than those of your classmates.
  • Why does everybody laugh at newbies?
  • Cat lovers VS dog lovers.
  • Was the chicken or the egg first?
  • Is it better to be very tall or very low?
  • Why do cats never regret anything wrong they have done?
  • Would eternal life be right for you?
  • We shouldn’t let children use smartphones while they are underage.
  • Are men or women better tutors?
  • Talking about relationships is the most pointless way to spend time.
  • Students who cheat are smarter in further professional life.
  • Sweet things for good studies would make more incentive than grades.
  • What animal would you choose to be if you could?
  • What is the best pizza filling?
  • What is the core feature a friend should have?
  • If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
  • Playing tricks on parents is not a good idea.
  • What if the first thing you thought when you woke up would define your day?
  • How do computer games influence one’s IQ?
  • Obscene words emerged because our language lacks emotional words.
  • Is it better to be an early bird or a night owl?
  • Minor mistakes can save us from more serious ones.
  • Children would never believe that when they grow up, they would wish to be children again.
  • Would you prefer to stay humble or make everyone look at you?
  • Staying at home during a weekend can save you lots of money.
  • 2024 tells us that there are not many things that matter.
  • Should your date be beautiful/handsome or smart?
  • Is it better to be kind or smart?
  • Coke or Pepsi, McDonald’s or KFC, and other difficult choices.
  • What is the worst role model for boys among the superheroes?
  • Obsession with princesses makes girls silly and capricious.
  • Why is Easter bunny a rabbit, not a hare?
  • The less the partners see each other, the happier the marriage.
  • People visit fortune tellers to be assured that everything will be fine.
  • Life is a pleasure only when you are a child.
  • Only children can benefit from the marriage of their parents.
  • Long beards contain more bacteria than dirty hands.
  • Cats treat us as their servants.
  • Prohibit something, and it will get twice as desirable.
  • People remember only those good deeds that they have made themselves.
  • Reality is subjective, and we are unaware of what the world is really like.
  • Being an introvert saves you from many social problems.
  • The best villains always have a good trait.
  • When talking about someone, people either envy or spread rumors.
  • Any driver is a pedestrian from time to time.
  • Why are meat-eaters afraid of eating vegetarian food?
  • What do men try to hide with a long mustache?
  • The happiest people are ignorant.
  • If Pinocchio had not been punished, he would never have stopped lying.
  • We adopt pets to make our lives a bit more complicated.
  • Behind every successful man, there is an always dissatisfied woman.
  • If shampoo for kids does not cause tears, why don’t adults use it?
  • Why are clowns associated with horror films?
  • The poorer is our knowledge in something, the more confident we are about it.
  • Which failures could a true friendship survive?
  • Soft toys are universal dust collectors.
  • When you are dead or stupid, you never feel anything. But the others suffer.
  • Originality VS weirdness.
  • Those who share our opinion seem to be prettier and cleverer.
  • The best thing we could do for our planet is to extinct.
  • Life resembles a simulation game.
  • Laziness is the engine of progress.
  • The phrase “it was a joke” has saved innumerable friendships.
  • Technologies are making humanity obese.
  • You shouldn’t take things too personally as everyone is concerned only with himself.
  • Why do TV channels show mainly bad news?
  • In psychiatry, the healthy one is the person who was the first to put on the white coat.
  • Reading articles on success and self-development is another form of procrastination.
  • If both partners think that the other is wrong, both of them are.
  • Why is it so hard to admit your fault?
  • Very honest people tend to have no friends.
  • Do we deserve what we have?
  • The silly always considers the smart being dumb.
  • When can we consider saving money as an obsession?
  • Which present is better: flowers or something tasty?
  • If something seems to be wrong, it is.
  • The customer is always right only in their own eyes.
  • If you aren’t registered on any social media, there is something wrong with you.
  • How does Flat Earth Society perceive GPS navigators?
  • Not washing one’s hands is a sign of a rebellious character.
  • Those who like rain have more things in common than it seems.
  • Is there a grain of truth in horoscopes?
  • Our language is too redundant, and most of the words could be left out.
  • We are great masters at denying reality.
  • Would there be fewer families if we needed to reconfirm marriage once a year?
  • It is too hard for college students that their happy years are about to end.
  • It is so comfortable to have someone to blame for your problems.
  • Grumpy people may simply wear uncomfortable shoes.
  • Once you forget the day of your marriage, you will remember it forever.
  • Siblings are there to eliminate our egoism.
  • A redecoration of an apartment is the best test for your love.
  • Nobody learns from the other’s mistakes.
  • The more time we spend in front of the screen, the less time we have to quarrel.
  • Criticizing others makes you feel important and smart.
  • We all hated our clothes in childhood.
  • The purpose of the life of some people is to annoy everyone.
  • Why are many of us afraid of airplanes, but nobody is afraid of cars?
  • There is no logic neither in men nor in women.
  • Awkwardness is a sign of modesty and openness.
  • If animals could struggle for their rights, we would never violate them.
  • Internet dating is like dating a book protagonist.
  • Are 20 minutes enough for an introvert to stay at a party?
  • Your worst day was made by yourself.
  • What is an American idol?
  • Bad students make the best business persons.
  • The minimum wage is the minimum for survival.
  • The first year at the University shows how you will spend all the rest time.
  • Politicians are very good at making us concerned with the least important problems while ignoring the crucial ones.
  • Using Latin or French phrases in everyday speech is showing off.
  • The most important life lessons can be learned in kindergarten.
  • If cats don’t like you, you are not a good person.
  • Dieting is a voluntary suffering.
  • The best thing an artist can do to become famous is to die.
  • Would elite sports become more exciting if doping became obligatory?
  • We all want the same in life.
  • We fear public speaking because everything has already been said.
  • It is worse to be lonely than to be with the wrong person.
  • Sheep are not the best animals to count before sleep.
  • If cuckoos knew how many years you are left to live, there would be a cuckoo fortune-telling business.
  • We make ourselves unhappy by wanting what we shouldn’t.
  • Halloween costumes should be worn more often.
  • If men listened to women, they would never call them enigmatic.
  • Exams don’t show who is the smartest. They show who is the best cheater.
  • People who don’t like to work become bosses.
  • No decision is also a decision.
  • You need to have a drink or two if you have run out of ideas for fun speech topics.

☝️ Funny Speech Topics: Useful Tips

Like any other speech, speaking on informative issues has certain peculiarities. Make sure that you follow these tips for successful informative speaking:

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  • Select a broad topic you are going to use for the speech.
  • Choose a problem to devote your speech to.
  • Think of a funny way to introduce the issue and develop it.
  • Use your sense of humor when analyzing the issue and offering your ideas.
  • Avoid being offensive and basing your speech on prejudices.
  • Plan both funny and serious parts – the audience must have some rest from rolling with laughter!

Once you have considered each of these components when choosing funny topics for an informative speech, you can be 100% sure that your speech will rock. To help yourself during a brainstorming session, you can try out an impromptu topics generator that will provide you with an endless amount of options to choose from.

😗 Funny Informative Speech Topics: One More Advice

Whether you’re choosing informative topics for presentation or any other assignment, there’s an important tip you must follow.

Remember: A good joke for funny informative persuasive speech topics is a joke that makes people think. Convince people that you’re talking about really important things – make them laugh with the help of your funny informative speech topics!

Giving a speech is challenging. When delivering a speech, many people feel like they are sitting on a cactus. Adding humor makes your speech more interesting and helps cut down on your own stress.

Being funny in front of a live audience and being able to charm every one of them is not an easy task—it is a real art. Fortunately, this is a skill that can be mastered with some practice.

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If you need to find a funny informative speech topic, you can choose absolutely any topic from numerous lists of funny, informative speech topics available on the web. In fact, any life situation can be looked at and talked about from a humorous approach. Your speech topic should be informative, but that doesn’t mean that the information has to be really valuable. If you try adding some fun when talking about serious questions, you can possibly elicit a good laugh from a huge crowd.

Use our funny, informative speech topics above just as they are, or get inspired by them to create some of your own. Either way, with enough practice, you’ll become a real star among the wide audience you intend to please with your unbearably funny speech.

Learn more on this topic:

  • A List of Informative Speech Topics: Best Creative Topic Ideas
  • Good Informative Speech Topics: How to Get Thunders of Applause
  • Social Studies Topics for Your Research Project
  • Best Science and Technology Essay Topics to Write About
  • Satirical Essay Examples and Best Satire Essay Topics

🤔 Funny Informative Speech Topics FAQ

Any how-to topics do well for informative speech. Your sphere of expertise or something you are eager to learn is also a good idea to speak about. Select fields that require specialized knowledge:

  • The ecological situation on the planet
  • Economics and business
  • Political regimes
  • Historical causes of our present
  • Rights and freedoms of minorities

It is a topic that gives you a chance to give your audience new information. The topic is emotionally neutral and non-debatable. It should sound like a question or statement which could be answered or expanded with facts.

  • Select a topic of your expertise.
  • Decide if it requires description, demonstration, definition, or explanation.
  • Outline your thesis.
  • Saturate your speech with facts, but make it simple.
  • Address your audience with a call to action.
  • Select one of the funny how to topics.
  • Make yourself the target of your humor. Give examples from your life.
  • Don’t hurt anyone with your jokes.
  • You are not supposed to make your speech a demonstration of your wit. Use a rule of three: this is the best number of jokes in your speech or essay.
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EVENTS & ENTERTAINING

Food & drink, relationships & family, how to write a funny campaign speech, more articles.

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Whether you are running for president of your school or president of the United States, you will likely have to make a speech at some point in time on your way into office. A well written speech can mean the difference between campaign success or failure. Many political hopefuls elect to inject humor into their campaign speeches. By incorporating humor, you capture the audience's attention and allow them to see that you are a real person who really cares about their wants and needs. When time comes to compose your all-important campaign speech, make it a humorous one. Your listening audience will likely appreciate it.

Know your audience. The type of humor you want to use depends greatly upon your audience. You would not attempt to use the same humor at a high school assembly as you would at a retirement village. Before you even consider composing your speech, take some time to consider what type of people will likely fill the audience when you present your speech.

Tailor your speech to your audience's sense of humor. When composing your speech, make reference to pop culture topics with which your audience will be familiar. If you don't know what your audience may like, consult someone who is either that age or has worked closely with people similar to those to whom you will be speaking.

Keep it appropriate. Many people enjoy off-color humor; however, as an individual running for office you need to take extreme care to avoid offending anyone. Remember, things you say in your speech will likely be recorded, so don't say anything that you wouldn't want as a part of the permanent record, regardless of how funny it may be.

Speak relatively informally. Your speech will seem disjointed and awkward if you try to be both funny and serious. To create continuity in your humorous speech, you must keep the whole address relatively informal. Use simple, everyday language, and speak in a conversational tone.

Use clever anecdotes. Give your audience an inside look at your campaign by telling them about funny things that have happened on the trail. Or allow them to feel as if they are part of your family by sharing funny stories of your life with them as a way of illustrating your points.

Pepper your speech with jokes. While jokes are a great way to insert humor, you do not want to rely too heavily upon them. Use jokes sparingly, and take care when selecting them. Do not select jokes that some might find offensive. Also, be sure to stick with jokes that are relevant to your campaign or your platform.

Include a humorous quotation. Borrow a line from a politician who expressed your sentiments in a humorous way. For example, you could quote California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who said, "to those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say: Don't be economic girlie men!" If you do this, be sure to cite your quote and give the original speaker his due credit.

Laugh at yourself. If you want the audience to laugh at you, you have to be willing to laugh at yourself. If, when giving your speech, you make a joke that flops, acknowledge the joke's lack of success and join in the crowd in laughing at your attempt. The audience will likely develop a kinship with you as you laugh right along with them.

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Erin Schreiner is a freelance writer and teacher who holds a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. She has been actively freelancing since 2008. Schreiner previously worked for a London-based freelance firm. Her work appears on eHow, Trails.com and RedEnvelope. She currently teaches writing to middle school students in Ohio and works on her writing craft regularly.

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writing a funny speech

Humor has the unparalleled ability to unite people, break the ice, and make any situation more enjoyable. A funny speech can be a powerful way to entertain and connect with your audience. But writing a hilarious speech may seem challenging, especially if you don’t consider yourself a natural comedian. Fear not! This step-by-step guide will help you craft the perfect blend of humor and storytelling to keep your audience engaged.

1. Know your audience

Before you start drafting, consider your audience. Who will be listening to your speech? Are they coworkers, friends, or a mix of people from various walks of life? Knowing your listener’s interests, preferences, and backgrounds can help you tailor your humor and stories to resonate with them.

2. Pick a theme

Having a central theme or message for your speech helps keep the content consistent and provides a framework for adding in comedic elements. Think about what you want your audience to take away from your speech and choose a theme that allows for blending humor with valuable insights.

3. Gather amusing anecdotes

Everyone has funny stories from their life – things that have gone wrong or unexpected situations – that can be weaved into a speech. Write down all the amusing stories and experiences peripherally related to your theme. This will give you plenty of material to incorporate into your speech.

4. Use personal stories

Being vulnerable by sharing personal stories not only makes humor more relatable but allows the audience to connect with you on a deeper level. They will appreciate honesty and openness which, in turn, keeps them engaged in your speech.

5. Add comedic elements

There are many ways to add humor without resorting to corny one-liners or overt jokes. Here are some techniques:

  – Wordplay: Employ puns, double entendres, or witty word associations.

  – Exaggeration: Amplify situations or your reactions to create humorous absurdity.

  – Callbacks: Refer back to a funny story or moment from earlier in your speech.

– Observational humor : Comment on familiar situations and behaviours that the audience can relate to.

6. Edit, refine, and rehearse

Once you’ve written your speech, go through it multiple times, editing and refining for clarity, coherence, and comedic effect. Keep an eye out for jokes or stories that may not land well or could offend your audience.

Rehearse your speech in front of a small group of friends, family members or colleagues who can provide constructive feedback. Take note of the parts where they laugh and those that need more polishing. Keep tweaking and practicing until you feel confident.

7. Timing is everything

One of the secrets of successful comedians is timing. Pay attention to pacing, pauses, and emphasis in your delivery. Let your audience process the humor by giving them time to laugh without rushing into the next part.

8. Be open to improvisation

No matter how meticulously you plan your speech, unforeseen circumstances might crop up – like unintended laughter or unexpected reactions from the audience. Being open to improvising allows you to adapt and maintain control over the situation while keeping the humor flowing.

Remember that practice makes perfect; as you become more comfortable with incorporating humor into your speeches, your comedic skills will continue to grow. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to delivering a funny and engaging speech that keeps everyone entertained while leaving them with a memorable message.

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SayItFunny.com

SayItFunny.com

How To Add Humor To Speeches Effectively

Can You Learn To Be Funny For A Speech Or Presentation?

writing a funny speech

1. I wanted to see what kind of bad information is being peddled by those so inclined to write about adding humor to speeches and presentations.

But more importantly…

2. I wanted to see what misleading content was being served up in the top spots in the search engine results. And guess what I discovered?

The information that is listed in the top 3 search engine results was mostly GARBAGE. Specifically, I am talking about content about how to make a speech funny that is not only lacking in actionable value but is nothing short of misleading.

One of the absolute worst statements (or some similar variation) that tends to burn me up is this:

Learn to be funny.

From my professional point of view as a globally establish comedy trainer, that approach is no different than this one:

How to learn to be taller.

The idea that one must somehow acquire a unique comedy skill set or master certain comedy techniques in order to get the laughs they need from a speech or presentation is one of the most destructive (and misleading) components of the “learn to be funny” approach.

Not only is this obviously untrue, but I will also give you the data you need to verify what I am about to say regarding the absurd idea of “learning to be funny” on your own.

But let me start with this first:

A person CAN’T gain new or different comedy skills in addition to (or instead of) the ones they already possess.

Let’s now investigate why that is.

Some Key Definitions

Let’s start out with some simple definitions so that we are on the same page:

Sense of Humor Aspect #1 (The Mental Aspect): This is the “lens” through which you see the world around you. It is comprised of your perspectives and points of view on anything based on what you have experienced, know, thought about, etc. It’s how you “connect the dots” in your mind using information that you gather to generate laughs when you are talking with other people. Sense of Humor Aspect #2 (The Expressive Aspect): This is the natural way by which you actually physically communicate the mental aspects of your sense of humor. This is a combination of the words you instinctively use, how you combine the words you choose to use along with the facial expressions, body language, voice inflection and tone variations that you use when you talk. Comedy talent: The ability to make others laugh as a result of the combination of both aspects of an individual’s sense of humor – the mental aspect and the physically expressive aspect.

Armed with that information, here are some questions that I’m going to discuss and that you may want to do research on yourself:

How did you develop the sense of humor/comedy talent that you have right now? Another important question is…

How long did it take you to develop the sense of humor/comedy talent that you have right now?

The answers to those two questions reveal exactly why a person CANNOT “learn to be funny” or develop some magical comedy/humor skills that they don’t already have, specifically:

It takes a person the first 1.5 to 2 DECADES of their life to develop the baseline sense of humor/comedy talent that they will have for the remainder of their life.

The sense of humor/comedy talent skills that a person has is the result of many hundreds of thousands, if not MILLIONS of personal interactions with a countless number of people in a countless variety of accumulated DAILY scenarios that start when a person is a very small child.

So this nonsense that someone can “learn” to be funny absolutely discounts the extensive time and experiences that were involved to garner the sense of humor and comedy talent they already have.

Now you are certainly welcome to comb through white papers and articles from leading psychologists and researchers regarding details about how a person’s sense of humor is developed, what is involved and how long it takes.

But one of the more interesting “proofs” that I have discovered involving the development of a sense of humor/comedy talent actually involves artificial intelligence.

Looking For Answers In What Artificial Intelligence CAN’T Do

You might not be aware of it but artificial intelligence (AI) has become incredibly sophisticated and advanced.

As a matter of fact, you may not be aware of it, but if you use the internet for just about anything, you are interacting with AI.

And AI continues to evolve at such a rate that it could actually pose a whole host of issues for humanity (think Terminator and Skynet).

But no matter how advance or evolved AI becomes, it cannot “learn” to be funny. It cannot be programmed to be funny beyond the simplest jokes, puns or riddles. Odd huh?

What’s even more odd to me is that AI developers, researchers and scientists can’t seem to figure out why AI can’t learn to be funny past the most simple and basic levels.

I have an article on my main blog for comedians about AI and how it relates to comedy talent that you can find here .

But here’s why AI can’t learn to be funny like a human in a nutshell:

AI involves an initial set of data points used to formulate some sort of output. When it comes to data points, it does not matter how many data points AI has when it comes to programmed input, it can’t “learn” to be funny at a high level because…

AI is missing the countless unique human interactions over years that are responsible for the development of the sense of humor/comedy talent that results.

In other words, it is simply impossible at this point to “program” AI to be funny with countless complex human interactions, complete with the widest possible range of points of view, life outlook, common experiences, associated body language, facial expressions, micro expressions, voice and tone variations and on and on.

So if all one needs to do in order to write and deliver a funny speech is to “learn to be funny”, seems to me that all the professionals who work with AI need to do is simply “program it to be funny”, right?

And if that’s the case, how come they haven’t seemed to figure that out yet? Odd, huh?

But there is some good news to be had with the information that I have provided…

Some Good News

First of all, humans need not worry about being replaced in the realm of funny public speaking or stand-up comedy by any head on a stick programmed artificial intelligence any time soon. More importantly…

Most people have all the comedy talent that they need to write and deliver a funny speech or presentation IF they simply choose to use and apply that comedy talent to the speaking environment they wish to conquer with laughter.

Now do let me say that there are some people who have the same comedy talent as an ingrown toenail. Interestingly enough, these are usually the folks most interested in somehow “learning” how to be funny (which again, is like somehow learning to be taller).

But those folks are the minority, not the majority of people who want to entertain public speaking audiences with laughter.

I guess my biggest gripe with the whole “learn to be funny” BS is that it immediately discounts a person’s own sense of humor/comedy talent as somehow not worthy or not good enough for public speaking. That’s rich considering that…

It only took the better part of two DECADES to develop the sense of humor and the comedy talent a person has in the first place.

Here’s the bottom line:

For individuals who are unable or unwilling to grasp that their sense of humor/comedy talent IS by far more than good enough to entertain public speaking audiences and feel that they need to “learn” how to be funny…

Those folks will struggle and continue to do so when it comes to writing speeches or presentations that generate big and genuine laughs.

I’ll end this article with some important questions that you need to answer for yourself:

  • When you cause friends, family, or coworkers to laugh with something that you say, how did you “write that material? Did you stop in mid-conversation and jot down what you wanted to say in a note for all to read?
  • What EXACTLY would cause you to believe that the sense of humor/comedy talent that you have right now is somehow not sufficient to make public speaking audiences laugh on demand? Is this something that you have assumed, something you have read, something someone has told you or combination of these things?
  • How are you going to approach the process of how to make a speech funny? Are to going to try to “learn” how to be funny or are you going to use and structure the sense of humor and comedy talent THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY SPENT YEARS DEVELOPING?

Whatever you decide to do, it’s 100% your call.

Steve Roye is one of the world's foremost experts in the field of spoken word comedy development and delivery for stand-up comedians and public speaking professionals alike. For details about Steve's diverse background and extensive experience, click here .

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How to Write a Funny Wedding Speech

You don't have to be Kristen Wiig or Chris Rock to give a toast that's hilarious. Here’s how to write a wedding speech that will get your audience laughing out loud.

Lindsay Pietroluongo

Photo: Lacey Gabrielle Photography

You’ve been asked to make a speech at a wedding and you want keep things funny, not sappy. The good news is that you don't have to be Kristen Wiig or Chris Rock to give a toast that's hilarious.

Here’s how to write a funny wedding speech that will get your audience laughing out loud.

Get inspired Need to find some inspiration? Brainstorm ideas while watching your favorite sitcom or funny movie, or listening to a stand-up comic. You don’t want to copy the jokes you hear word for word, but they may spark your own creativity. While it’s tempting to steal a great punch line, remember that you’ll get a better response from a joke that’s original. Make it quick Wedding speeches only have to be two or three minutes long. If you go any longer, you’ll start to lose people’s attention, causing your humor to land flat. Practice, practice, practice Make sure to practice your speech a lot beforehand. Even the most well-written, hilarious speech will tank if you can’t deliver the lines clearly or with the right inflection. The more you can memorize your speech and deliver it naturally, the better it will sound. Admit you're nervous It’s both relatable and charming when the speech-giver confesses, “I’m really nervous.” Guests will be more receptive and forgiving of whatever you’re about to say. Who can’t relate to being anxious when addressing a crowd? Also, remember that most people who are attending a wedding are in high spirits. They’re ready to smile and have a good time. Even a light quip is likely to get a good reaction. Get the guests involved Starting your speech off with a question is a great way to get everyone to tune in. Start with, “Has anybody here...” and then include something amusing or hysterical that the bride, groom or couple has done. Walk down memory lane Was the first time you met the bride or groom particularly comical? Retell the story - it will be entertaining on its own. First impressions can be haphazard and ridiculous, making for great anecdotes. This will also give the guests a glimpse into what the couple’s life was like from the beginning. The more of a history you have with the bride or groom, the more stories you can dip into. Talk about the absurd childhood dreams you shared or the practical jokes you played on teachers in elementary school.

Be self-deprecating Talk about how the bride or groom excels at something you don’t. Poke fun at yourself. This will get a laugh, keep the speech relaxed and compliment the couple all at the same time. Tease the couple...but just a bit It’s okay to poke a bit of good-natured fun at the bride or groom, so long as it’s within reason. Keep it light. Tease them about their taste in music or their go-to outfit in middle school. Talk about something that will leave them giggling at, not furious with, you. You can also go so over-the-top that people will know that you’re speaking in jest. If you’re not sure if you’re walking that line correctly, though, skip it. Show your talents Are you a great singer or rapper? Make your toast musical. If you’re a writer or storyteller, cleverly recount a story to entertain the crowd. If you seem to have knee-slapping zingers, string together a few one-liners that all connect to the same theme. Play up whatever it is you’re good at. Bring a prop Props can take some of the focus and pressure off you while boosting a story. If there’s a prop that will illustrate the main points of your speech, use it! An old photo, childhood toy or relic from your teenage days can make a speech more memorable and silly. Embrace a slip-up If you stumble over your words and end up spurting out something ridiculous that you didn’t mean to say, embrace it, especially if the crowd roars in laughter. That’s the point of delivering a good-humored speech! Let your audience react Speak slowly and pause for a few seconds to let your best lines sink in. If you drop a wisecrack and then immediately continue speaking, people may not catch what you said. Avoid rookie mistakes Don’t mention exes, tell embarrassing stories or revisit drunken nights. Don’t be unflattering to anybody in attendance. Insulting someone who’s there, even if it’s all in good fun, will make people uncomfortable when they’re supposed to be celebrating. End on a high note Even if your speech is 99 percent funny, you’ll want to end it on a sentimental note. Wish the couple well, express your love for them and then raise your glass.

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Funny Speech (with Pictures)

    1 Find a topic. When choosing it, remember that the quality of your speech doesn't necessarily rely on the topic but on what you have to say and how you say it. [2] Think about -- and then make -- a list of things you know a lot about or enjoy talking about. Single out the topics you're knowledgeable about but also know you can be funny about.

  2. Great funny speeches: how to get the laughter you want

    1. Understanding the purpose of your speech Is the primary goal of your speech to be funny or is it to impart knowledge with humor? Unless you are a stand-up comedian, the main purpose of your speech is probably to give your message in an entertaining way, which will include humor.

  3. 414 Funny and Humorous Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative

    Written By Jim Peterson Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class. Public speaking can be a lot of fun, especially when humor is included.

  4. Humorous Speech: 14 Tips to Leave Them Rolling in the Aisles

    Humorous Speech: 14 Tips to Leave Them Rolling in the Aisles Have you every been thoroughly entertained by someone giving a humorous speech? Maybe you enjoy watching stand-up comedians on stage. Laughter is a definite stress reliever - one of the best medicines, as the saying goes! People love to laugh.

  5. 6 Ways to Guarantee Laughs During Your Next Speech

    #1: Tell Relatable Stories If there's one thing we learned from Seinfeld, it's that the everyday is funny. Use this to your advantage in your speech! Audiences laugh when they see their own experience reflected onstage. Add relatable humor to your speech with these ideas: Turn Frustration Into Comedy What got on your nerves this morning?

  6. How to be funny in a speech (when you're not that funny in real life)

    Being funny in a speech is hard to pull off. But like most hard things, with a little study, much practice, and a healthy dose of chutzpah, anyone can do it. So lets examine the anatomy of a joke in the next section helpfully called "Anatomy of a Joke" Anatomy of a Joke

  7. Funny Speech Topics to Make Your Audience Laugh

    Quick Answer to Key Question Some funny speech topics could include humorous takes on current events, jokes about popular celebrities, lighthearted observations, and satirical examples of everyday scenarios. The possibilities for humorous content are truly endless - use your imagination to come up with something unique! What is a Funny Speech?

  8. How to Write a Funny Speech

    Dec 25, 2022 8:24 PM EST Here are some helpful tips for putting together a humorous (and effective) speech in most any setting. Fotocitizen, CC0, via Pixabay Writing a Humorous Speech One of the best ways to win over audiences and deliver an outstanding speech or seminar is to add light touches of humor here and there.

  9. How to Write a Funny Speech

    · Nov 14, 2019 -- Credit: Tomas Pueyo fter giving 20 speeches at my local Toastmasters, the club for people who want to learn to speak in public, it was time for a next-level challenge. A new,...

  10. Speech Writing : How to Write a Funny Speech

    Making yourself the target of the joke creates a humorous speech that keeps the audience engaged and at ease. Captivate your audience with the informative ti...

  11. Write Funny Speeches With These Important Tips

    Final Words Writing a speech is hard enough; now, you have to add humor to it. It requires creativity, precision and wit. But with the right tips and tricks, you can create an amazing piece of work that will have your audience laughing in no time!

  12. How to write a funny speech

    Today we expect speakers to entertain as well as inform us, so understanding how to write a funny speech is an essential skill for aspiring presenters. This is the first in series of short articles designed to help you learn the secret of weaving humour into your speeches. ALWAYS START WITH THE STORY ...

  13. How to Write a Funny Speech

    How to Write a Funny Speech. Part of the series: Speech Writing. Making yourself the target of the joke creates a humorous speech that keeps the audience eng...

  14. How to Write Comedy

    Jack isn't just any dad, he's a former CIA operative. And Greg's not just a clueless boyfriend, he's a walking bad-luck charm. So in a structural sense, this relationship is primed for comedic conflict. Here are five great tips for writing a comedy scene: Take a typical situation and exaggerate it. Let tension build.

  15. 100 Funny Speech Topics [Informative, Persuasive]

    Investigate strategies to evoke laughter - this could be ridiculing oneself or situation, identifying some paradoxes that demonstrate how unreasonable we are, used to exaggeration or dramatize minor issues to the point of absurdity, play roles like that of evil or paranoid person, while judging about something.

  16. Funny how-to speech topics for demonstration speeches

    Defining 'funny' and choosing a topic Funny doesn't necessarily mean laughing out loud, helpless giggling or crying because something is just so, so hilarious. Funny can also be quiet smiles and a chuckle of appreciation. You'll find opportunities for all shapes and sizes of it here from pure slapstick through to ridiculous absurdism.

  17. 420 Funny Speech Topics: Informative, Persuasive, for Presentations

    420 Funny Speech Topics: Informative, Persuasive, for Presentations (35 votes) One of the greatest problems of the scholarly world is the lack of funny topics. So why not jazz it up? How about creating one of those humorous speeches the public is always so delighted to listen to?

  18. How to Write Humor: Funny Essay Writing Tips

    1.Identify your style of humor Everyone has a different sense of humor. We all find different things funny for different reasons. This is why it's important that before you sit down and try to write funny things, you think about your own personal sense of humor and how you want to mine that to produce a piece of humor writing.

  19. Humorous Speech Writing Techniques That Fail

    Be yourself: Don't try to imitate someone else's style or voice. Use your own voice and personality to connect with your audience. Write the way you speak: Write down exactly what you would say if you were talking to someone in person. Use humor naturally: Don't force jokes into your speech or presentation.

  20. How to Write a Funny Campaign Speech

    When time comes to compose your all-important campaign speech, make it a humorous one. Your listening audience will likely appreciate it. 10. Know your audience. The type of humor you want to use depends greatly upon your audience. You would not attempt to use the same humor at a high school assembly as you would at a retirement village.

  21. How to Write a Funny Speech

    How to Write a Funny Speech By Matthew Lynch November 14, 2023 0 Spread the love Humor has the unparalleled ability to unite people, break the ice, and make any situation more enjoyable. A funny speech can be a powerful way to entertain and connect with your audience.

  22. Write A Funny Speech

    I did an online search for "how to make a speech funny" for a couple of reasons: 1. I wanted to see what kind of bad information is being peddled by those so inclined to write about adding humor to speeches and presentations. But more importantly…. 2. I wanted to see what misleading content was being served up in the top spots in the ...

  23. 9 Tips for How to Write a Funny Wedding Speech

    Tip #2: Rely on Funny Stories. The best way to show humor through a wedding speech is to tell a funny story. This way you don't have to worry about quick-witted one-liners or risk sounding cheesy. Plus, truly impactful wedding speeches include great storytelling. So consider telling one to three short stories and focus on light-hearted ones.

  24. How to Write a Funny Wedding Speech

    Insulting someone who's there, even if it's all in good fun, will make people uncomfortable when they're supposed to be celebrating. End on a high note. Even if your speech is 99 percent funny, you'll want to end it on a sentimental note. Wish the couple well, express your love for them and then raise your glass.