Stop Telling Bad Jokes: The Ultimate Guide to Comedic Structure

Or how to write comedy, win friends, influence people, and apply deodorant, in no particular odor. I mean order.

Most people believe that being funny is a “lightning bolt” talent. You’re either born with it or you aren’t. But if you look behind the curtain of the world’s most successful stand-ups and comedy writers, you won’t find magic; you’ll find mechanics. Humor is a craft built on specific blueprints that can be learned and used when working on your comedy.

Whether you are an aspiring comedian looking to sharpen your set or just someone who wants to understand the “how” behind the “hah,” understanding joke types is your secret weapon. In this guide, we break down the fundamental categories of comedy, including linguistic tricks, delivery styles, and the psychological triggers that turn an awkward silence into a roar of laughter. From the high-brow wit of satire to the “so-bad-it’s-good” charm of the anti-joke, here is the comprehensive breakdown of how comedy actually works.