Comedy writing humor structure timing

Master comedy writing through understanding humor mechanics and timing principles. Comedy structure: 1. Setup: establish premise, character, situation (2/3 of content). 2. Punchline: unexpected twist, surprising revelation (1/3 of content). 3. Tag: additional laugh after main punchline, extends humor. Rule of three: pattern establishment with two items, surprise with third. Comedy techniques: 1. Incongruity: unexpected combinations, surprising juxtapositions. 2. Exaggeration: amplifying normal situations to absurd levels. 3. Wordplay: puns, double meanings, linguistic humor. 4. Callback: referencing earlier joke or setup for additional laughs. 5. Self-deprecation: making fun of yourself rather than others. Character development: 1. Flaws and quirks: relatable imperfections audiences connect with. 2. Consistent voice: distinctive speech patterns, perspectives, reactions. 3. Fish out of water: characters in unfamiliar or challenging situations. Timing considerations: 1. Rhythm: natural speech patterns, pause placement for emphasis. 2. Build-up: tension creation before punchline delivery. 3. Economy: concise setups, efficient word choice. Testing material: read aloud, audience feedback, refine based on laugh response, record and analyze what works.