#156, Wit
the most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
-e.e. cummings
Laughter is a rather peculiar human habit. It occurs spontaneously and frequently its causes are indescribable. Oh, your friend fell down and badly injured her knee? That's hilarious notes your brain. Oh, the video camera is recording and now it's time to be serious? That's uproarious notes your brain. Time to laugh!
Not all humor is so mysterious though. There are particular common elements in humor, some of which we investigated this week in class. Those elements included (a) irony, (b) impossible event, (c) absurd comparison, (d) exaggeration, (e) informal language, and (f) not saying what you mean. The works of Dave Barry, noted comedian and author, illustrate these elements of humor wonderfully. The two articles we read Breaking the Ice and Alaska: Grin and Bear It contain several excellent examples.
To complete this Journal response,
- Imagine that you are a columnist for the New York Times. Write a humorous advice column about how to ask out a girl or boy. Use at least three of the six elements of humor in your response.
- Comment on one of your peer's responses.
-Brenden Lee Teacher
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