Online Class: Humor Writing 101

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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12Lessons
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28Exams &
Assignments -
1,406Students
have taken this course -
11Hours
average time -
1.1CEUs
Course Description
The Art and Craft of Comedy Writing: Your Journey from Novice to Pro
Laughter: It's the universal medicine, the magic elixir that has the capability to heal wounds of the soul and uplift the human spirit. Throughout history, societies have lauded those gifted few who possess the prowess to ignite laughter, the jesters, the comedians, and the writers. It is no wonder that many of us admire, and even sometimes, envy those who can spark joy and especially those who have the talent to pen down humor.
Introducing a comprehensive course tailored to provide you with a holistic understanding and appreciation of comedy writing. This program will not only induct you into the world of those adept humorists but will equip you with the tools and skills to master the art yourself.
At the core of every memorable anecdote, captivating sitcom, or side-splitting stand-up routine lies the foundation of well-crafted writing. The pen, in the hands of a skilled writer, becomes a powerful instrument, drawing forth emotions, evoking laughter, and leaving a lasting impact on the audience. Writing that touches the heart requires a keen understanding of rhythm, timing, and human psychology.
Over the course of this meticulously designed program, we will delve deep into various facets of comedic writing:
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The dynamics of humor: Discover the underpinnings of what makes us laugh and understand the subtle differences between various comedic genres.
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Essential tools and techniques: From the intricacies of punchlines to the nuances of comedic timing, grasp the essential components that make a piece humorous.
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Market dynamics: In the age of digital virality, understand how to position your comedic pieces, and identify your niche in the vast realm of humor.
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The journey of writing: Recognize the importance of preparation, consistent practice, and persistence in molding your unique voice in comedic writing.
Furthermore, this isn't just another course that offers you repetitive exercises or makes tall claims of instant success. Real growth and mastery come from understanding, practice, and consistent feedback. Our commitment is to provide you with a genuine foundation in comedy writing, guiding you step by step as you hone your craft.
Course Breakdown:
- Let It Flow!: Dive deep into the rhythm of comedic writing and understand the importance of authenticity.
- Yes - You Can Learn to Write Humor: Debunk myths around inherent comedic talent and uncover the trainable aspects of humor writing.
- Exactly What is Humor?: From slapstick to satire, explore the vast spectrum of comedic forms.
- The Skills You'll Need: Equip yourself with essential tools, from crafting punchlines to understanding comedic timing.
- Getting Ready to Write: Understand the preparatory phase of comedy writing, from ideation to drafting.
- A 'Hobby' or a 'Career'?: Reflect on your aspirations and align your writing practice accordingly.
- Getting in the Flow: Foster a consistent writing regimen, fueling creativity and refining your voice.
- Discovering and Establishing Your Particular Market Niche: Navigate the comedy ecosystem and carve a space for your unique voice.
- The "Go's" and "Whoa's" of Shortcuts to Humor: Learn the merits and pitfalls of various comedic shortcuts.
- The Importance of Starting and Maintaining Your Comedy Journal: Chronicle your growth, inspirations, and comedic ideas.
- Marketing You and Your Material: Dive into the world of comedic content marketing, leveraging platforms and building an audience.
- Your Exercise Revisited and Renewed: Reflect, analyze, and set forth on continued growth and learning.
In conclusion, if you harbor the passion for comedy and are driven by the desire to master the art of comedic writing, this course is your gateway. Come, journey with us through the captivating world of humor, understanding its intricacies, mastering its techniques, and most importantly, spreading joy and laughter. Your comedic journey begins here.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1. The Power of Rewriting: From Draft to Masterpiece
Humor in writing emerges from the common human experience, transforming everyday mishaps into relatable stories that resonate with authenticity and charm. Rewriting is a crucial tool that clarifies thoughts and strengthens the humor, allowing the narrative to shine through unexpected insights and revelations.Lesson 2. Discovering Your Inner Comedian: A Comprehensive Guide to Humor Writing
Fear, often a hindrance in humor writing, can be transformed into motivation; successful writers learn to channel their anxiety into creativity. Embracing fear, setting realistic goals, and creating a supportive community can help writers overcome this barrier and thrive in their endeavors.Lesson 3. The Resonance of Humor: Bridging Gaps with Laughter
Humor intertwines with daily life as a delightful twist, fostering unity through relatable content, while successfully navigating boundaries requires empathy and cultural awareness. Comedians resonate best when anchoring their jokes in truth, surprise, and real experiences, creating a deep audience connection.Lesson 4. The Art of Humor in Writing: A Journey of Discovery
The versatility of humor allows it to traverse various writing contexts, breaking down complex subjects or enhancing marketing appeal through engaging storytelling. Its role as a catalyst for innovation highlights humor's potential to inspire creativity and propagate ideas effectively.Lesson 5. The Power of Reading and Listening: Transforming Words into Laughs
Channeling positivity empowers the comedic writer, allowing freedom to explore various styles and techniques like wordplay, satire, and dynamic character development. Witnessing humor's role in everyday interactions underscores storytelling's power to unite audiences across diverse cultural backdrops.Lesson 6. Passion vs. Profession: Navigating the Path from Hobby to Career
Intrinsic motivation and collaboration are key drivers in transforming a passion into a rewarding profession. By focusing on the joy of the process, you can sustain creativity and build community connections.Lesson 7. The Art of Humor Writing: Unlocking the Comedic Muse
Writing comedy requires a unique viewpoint to transform ordinary experiences into humorous narratives, relying on life's absurd contradictions. Blending personal anecdotes with broader themes enriches the comedic impact, creating relatable and thoughtful humor.Lesson 8. Herbert Swope's Wisdom: Why Niche Markets Matter
Identifying a niche harnesses your strengths, allowing you to focus on areas with high demand but low competition, much like eco-friendly fashion thrives due to increased environmental awareness. As humor writing spans from greeting cards to comic collaborations, specialization not only stands out but also opens doors to lucrative avenues and persistent audience loyalty.Lesson 9. Shortcut to Laughter: Mastering the Art of Comedy Writing
Humor serves as a powerful tool to critique authority through satire, encouraging audiences to rethink societal norms. By exaggerating authority figures' flaws, writers like Jon Stewart cleverly question leadership, empowering audiences to see humor as a lens for critique and reflection.Lesson 10. Comedy Journals: From Scattered Sparks to Standout Skits
A comedy journal acts as a strategic archive for humor writers, recording the evolution of jokes and comedic performances while promoting a disciplined approach to creativity. By categorizing ideas and regularly analyzing successes and failures, writers can refine their craft and propel their journey in the humor industry.Lesson 11. Crafting Your Brand as a Comedy Writer
Achieving success in creative industries hinges on developing expertise, a strong self-belief, and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities, including working without initial financial gain. This mindset not only enhances your skills and visibility but also leads to valuable industry connections and career growth.Lesson 12. Revitalize Your Creative Journey: Embracing Growth in Scriptwriting
Expanding your knowledge beyond scriptwriting through diverse fields enhances your writing and life experiences. Insights from disciplines like sociology and psychology provide new lenses to creatively examine the humor in human dynamics.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the use of self-deprecating humor to create relatability and connection with an audience by sharing personal anecdotes that highlight everyday missteps.
- Identify the key elements of creative rewriting that enhance a story’s narrative, humor, and character development through iterative drafting within a storytelling exercise.
- Define and demonstrate the key techniques for writing humor, including the structure of setup, anticipation, and punchline, by crafting a short humorous piece.
- Recognize and apply strategies to overcome the fear of rejection in humor writing, using historical examples like J.K. Rowling's persistence to refine work and achieve success.
- Analyze the different types of humor and demonstrate how they can be effectively applied to connect with diverse audiences.
- Identify examples of successful comedians who use self-directed humor and assess the impact of their techniques on audience perception.
- Define and illustrate the concept of incongruity in humor by describing two examples of unexpected situations that could elicit laughter.
- Expand on the use and impact of absurdity in humorous writing by composing a 100-word paragraph using an element of the absurd to transform a mundane event.
- Define the symbiotic relationship between reading and writing, and describe how it influences a writer's creative journey.
- Demonstrate the ability to create humor through visualization techniques by detailing a scenario that elicits laughter or amusement.
- Define specific goals and objectives to create a structured plan, enabling the transition from hobby to career.
- Demonstrate the ability to adapt and evolve your strategic plan based on progress and external influences for sustainable growth.
- Define the process of compiling an evolving list of topics to harness the flow of ideas for crafting engaging humor material.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Choose Your Subscription Plan
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Includes CEUs | X |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificate & CEUs
This course only
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "I just needed some guidance and practice and viola! I have confidence that I can get some things published." -- Eileen Z.
- "I FOUND THE COURSE TO BE CHALLENGING WITH THE VARIETY OF LESSONS FROM WEEK TO WEEK. I WANT TO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. THE COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR WERE BOTH VERY PROFESSIONAL. GOD BLESS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY !!!" -- DON L.
- "What an excellent instructor. She is readily available when I have questions and her instructions are easy to understand!" -- Donna N.
- "Overall, the material used to present course is excellent. I was very please with course and instructor and would recommend the course to anyone." -- Marty S.
- "It was a great experience!" -- Luwana J.
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