The Importance of Being Witty

Why do I bother? I bet you’ve said that to yourself before, even if you haven’t said it to someone else. So it is with humour in writing: why bother with it?

Let’s be positive though. Why do you bother? Why do you write? Is it to get across a point? Is it to sell something, even if it’s only an idea and not ice to Eskimos?

If you knew how much humour helped you connect with your reader and guide what they think, you’d use it more often.

Humour has been defined as “Reality plus Distance”. It can make an article that would not have a connection with a reader…come alive. In articles, you don’t have much space to waste words – so don’t waste a single one. Ram them on home with a bit of humour.

Having a laugh is good for you. Even doctors say it and they might know something about that. Think back to something you’ve read or heard that made you laugh; how did that feel? Good, I bet. You probably remember for some time to come what made you laugh or at least chuckle a little bit. It’s that ‘feel good factor’ thing in operation. We like and remember what makes us feel good because we want to get that feeling again.

That makes humour a great tool for writers. If you want to make someone identify with what you write, make them laugh; if you want them to associate with your subject, make them laugh; if you want someone to feel really good about any product or service you’re trying to promote, make them laugh. Are you getting it yet? Humour connects people and it tends to suggest that the writer is communicating directly with their reader. A well-placed anecdote or a joke will really focus your reader’s attention on the point you’re trying to make.

Exactly what type of humour you use is up to you as a writer, because one important thing is that humour has to be sincere. Not everyone will think you’re funny; sorry to be brutal about that. But what matters is you think it was funny and you made an honest attempt to reach out to someone else with your humour.

I’m from Yorkshire, where the humour is so dry it needs moisturizer. That won’t work for everyone, but it works for me by taking a gentle dig at the things that draw us all together as fellow human beings. You’ve got the added advantage with dry humour that if it falls flat you can always say ‘Well, I was trying to be serious, not funny’. Sneaky, huh? At least there is personality and heart in the writing.

Talking of ‘dry’, humour can make a dry topic a lot more enjoyable to read. Making it enjoyable does – guess what? Keeps people connected to your writing! The odd joke or two inserted into the text gives a breather to your reader, time to digest what they have already read. Don’t let it give you indigestion!