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Exploring Public Speaking: The Free Dalton State College Public Speaking Textbook, Edition 4.2 (2023): Appendix D: Funny Talk: The Art and Craft of Using Humor in Public Address

Exploring Public Speaking: The Free Dalton State College Public Speaking Textbook, Edition 4.2 (2023)
Appendix D: Funny Talk: The Art and Craft of Using Humor in Public Address
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  1. Exploring Public Speaking: The Free Dalton State College Public Speaking Textbook, Edition 4.2 (2023)
    1. Exploring Public Speaking: The Open Educational Resource College Public Speaking Textbook, Edition 4.2 (2023)
      1. Introduction to the Edition 4.2 (2022) of Exploring Public Speaking
      2. Authors and Contributors
        1. Amy Burger (Chapter 5, Appendix E and F)
        2. Chad Daniel (Chapter 11/Expert Advice on the Voice from an Acting Instructor)
        3. Jerry Drye (Appendix D)
        4. Cathy Hunsicker (Appendix B, Parts 3, 4, 5, and 6)
        5. Amy Mendes (Appendix B, Part 7)
        6. Matthew LeHew (Editor, Technologist, and Web Designer)
        7. Barbara G. Tucker (Editor and Primary Author)
  2. Chapter 1: The Basics of Public Speaking
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 1.1 – What is Public Speaking?
    4. 1.2 – Anxiety and Public Speaking
      1. Why Anxiety and Public Speaking?
      2. Addressing Public Speaking Anxiety
    5. 1.3 - Understanding the Process of Public Speaking
    6. 1.4 – The Value of Public Speaking in Your Life
    7. 1.5 – Getting Started in Public Speaking
      1. Timing is everything
      2. Public speaking requires muscle memory
      3. Public speaking involves a content and relationship dimension
      4. Emulation is the sincerest form of flattery
      5. Know your strengths and weaknesses
      6. Remember the Power of Story
    8. Conclusion
    9. Something to Think About
  3. Chapter 2: Audience Analysis and Listening
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 2.1 – The Importance of Audience Analysis
    4. 2.2 – Demographic Characteristics
      1. Age
      2. Gender
      3. Race, Ethnicity, and Culture
      4. Religion
      5. Group Affiliation
      6. Region
      7. Occupation
      8. Education
      9. Socio-economic Level
      10. Sexual Orientation
      11. Family Status
      12. Wrap Up on Demographics
    5. 2.3 – Psychographic Characteristics
      1. Beliefs
      2. Attitudes
      3. Values
      4. Needs
    6. 2.4 – Contextual Factors of Audience Analysis
    7. 2.5 – Listening in Public Speaking Settings
      1. Your Audience and Listening
      2. Barriers to Listening
      3. What Can Be Done to Improve Listening?
    8. Conclusion
    9. Something to Think About
  4. Chapter 3: Ethics in Public Speaking
    1. Learning objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 3.1 – Sources of Ethical Stances on Communication and Public Speaking
      1. Legal Origins of Ethics in Public Speaking
      2. Cultural and Religious Origins of Ethics in Communication
      3. Philosophers and Communication Ethics
    4. 3.2 – Credibility and Ethics
    5. 3.3 – Plagiarism
      1. Types of Plagiarism
      2. Stealing
      3. Sneaking
      4. Borrowing
      5. Ethically Crediting Sources
      6. Ethics of Communication, Civil Discourse, and Venues
    6. Conclusion
    7. Something to Think About
    8. Case study
  5. Chapter 4: Developing Topics for Your Speech
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 4.1 – Getting Started with Your Topic and Purpose
    4. 4.2 – Formulating a Specific Purpose Statement
      1. You
      2. The Audience
      3. The Context
      4. Putting It Together
    5. 4.3 – Formulating a Central Idea Statement
    6. 4.4 – Problems to Avoid with Specific Purpose and Central Idea Statements
    7. Conclusion
    8. Something to Think About
      1. Case Studies in Specific Purposes and Central Idea Statements
  6. Chapter 5: Researching Your Speeches
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 5.1 – Research
      1. Primary and Secondary Sources
    4. 5.2 – Accessing Information Through a Library
      1. The Library Catalog
      2. Databases
      3. Other Library Resources and Services
    5. 5.3 – Research on the Internet
    6. 5.4 – Conducting Your Own Research
      1. Surveys
      2. Interviews
      3. What to Do With All These Sources
    7. Conclusion
  7. Chapter 6: Organizing and Outlining Your Speech
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 6.1 – Why We Need Organization in Speeches
      1. Grouping
    4. 6.2 - Patterns of Organization
      1. Chronological
      2. Spatial
      3. Topical/Parts of the Whole
      4. Cause/Effect Pattern
      5. Problem-Solution Pattern
      6. Problem-Cause-Solution Pattern
      7. Some Additional Principles of Organization
    5. 6.3 – Connective Statements
      1. Types of connectives and examples
    6. 6.4 – Outlining
      1. Preparation Outlines
      2. Speaking Outlines
    7. Conclusion
    8. Something to Think About
    9. Case study
  8. Chapter 7: Supporting Your Speech Ideas
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 7.1 – Why Supporting Materials are Needed
    4. 7.2 – Types of Supporting Materials
      1. Examples
      2. Narratives
      3. Definitions
      4. Descriptions
      5. Historic and Scientific Fact
      6. Statistics
      7. Testimony
    5. 7.3 – Attention Factors and Supporting Material
      1. What is Attention?
      2. Why Do We Pay Attention?
      3. Attention Factors
    6. Conclusion
    7. Something to Think About
    8. Case Study
  9. Chapter 8: Introductions and Conclusions
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 8.1 – General Guidelines for Introductions and Conclusions
    4. 8.2 – Structuring the Introduction
      1. Element 1: Get the Audience’s Attention
      2. Element 2: Establish or Enhance Your Credibility
      3. Element 3: Establish Rapport
      4. Element 4: Preview Your Topic/Purpose/Central Idea
      5. Element 5: Preview Your Main Points
    5. 8.3 – Examples of Introductions
      1. Informative Speech Introductions
      2. Persuasive Speech Introduction
    6. 8.4 – Structuring the Conclusion
      1. Element 1: Signal the End
      2. Element 2: Restate Main Points
      3. Element 3: Clincher
    7. 8.5 – Examples of Conclusions
      1. Informative Speech Conclusion
      2. Persuasive Speech Conclusion
    8. Something to Think About
  10. Chapter 9: Presentation Aids in Speaking
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 9.1 - What Are Presentation Aids?
    4. 9.2 – Functions of Presentation Aids
      1. Improving Audience Understanding
      2. Aiding Retention and Recall
      3. Adding Variety and Interest
      4. Enhancing a Speaker’s Credibility
      5. Avoiding Problems with Presentation Aids
    5. 9.3 – Types of Presentation Aids
      1. Charts
      2. Graphs
    6. 9.4 – Using Presentation Slides
      1. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Presentation Slides
      2. Creating Quality Slide Shows
      3. Tone
      4. Scale and Proportion
      5. Balance
      6. Rhythm in Presenting
    7. 9.5 – Low-Tech Presentation Aids
      1. Dry-Erase Board
      2. Flipchart
      3. Posters
      4. Handouts
    8. Conclusion
    9. Something to Think About
  11. Chapter 10: Language
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 10.1 – What Language Is and Does
    4. 10.2 – Standards for Language in Public Speaking
      1. Achieving Clarity
      2. Effectiveness
      3. Credibility
      4. Rhetorical Techniques
      5. Appropriateness
      6. Gender-Inclusive Language
      7. Ethnic Identity
      8. Disability
      9. Other Types of Appropriateness
    5. 10.3 – Developing Your Ability to Use Effective Language in Public Speaking
    6. Conclusion
    7. Something to Think About
  12. Chapter 11: Delivery
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 11.1 – The Importance of Delivery
    4. 11.2 – Methods of Speech Delivery
      1. Impromptu Speaking
      2. Manuscript Speaking
      3. Extemporaneous Speaking
      4. Memorized Speaking
    5. 11.3 – Preparing For Your Delivery
      1. Using Lecterns
      2. Speaking in a Small or Large Physical Space
      3. Speaking Outdoors
      4. Using a Microphone
      5. Audience Size
    6. 11.4 – Practicing Your Delivery
      1. Practice Your Speech Out Loud
      2. Practice Your Speech Standing Up
      3. Practice Your Speech with a Lectern
      4. Practice Your Speech with an Audience
      5. Practice Your Speech for Time
      6. Practice Your Speech by Recording Yourself
    7. 11.5 – What to Do When Delivering Your Speech
      1. Hands
      2. Feet
      3. Objects
      4. The Lectern and Posture
      5. Eye Contact
      6. Volume
      7. Pitch
      8. Rate
      9. Pauses
      10. Vocalized pauses
      11. Conclusion
    8. 11.6 - Expert Advice on the Voice from an Acting Instructor
    9. Conclusion
    10. Something to Think About
  13. Chapter 12: Informative Speaking
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 12.1 – What is an Informative Speech?
    4. 12.2 – Types of Informative Speeches
      1. Type 1: History
      2. Type 2: Biography
      3. Type 3: Processes
      4. Type 4: Ideas and Concepts
      5. Type 5: Categories or divisions
    5. 12.3 – Guidelines for Selecting an Informative Speech Topic
      1. Pick a specific or focused topic
      2. Avoid faux or fake informative speech topics
    6. 12.4 – Guidelines for Preparing an Informative Speech
      1. Don’t Be Too Broad
      2. Be Accurate, Clear, and Interesting
      3. Keep in Mind Audience Diversity
    7. 12.5 – Giving Informative Speeches in Groups
    8. Conclusion
    9. Something to Think About
    10. Sample Outline: Informative Speech on Lord Byron
    11. Sample Outline: Informative Speech on Haunted Places in Gettysburg
  14. Chapter 13: Persuasive Speaking
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 13.1 – Why Persuade?
    4. 13.2 – A Definition of Persuasion
    5. 13.3 – Why is Persuasion Hard?
      1. Solutions to the Difficulty of Persuasion
    6. 13.4 – Traditional Views of Persuasion
      1. Ethos
      2. Logos
      3. Pathos
    7. 13.5 – Constructing a Persuasive Speech
      1. Formulating a Proposition
      2. Organization Based on Type of Proposition
      3. Building Upon Your Persuasive Speech’s Arguments
    8. Conclusion
    9. Something to Think About
    10. Sample Outline: Persuasive Speech Using Topical Pattern
    11. Sample Outline: Persuasive Speech Using Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Pattern
  15. Chapter 14: Logical Reasoning
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 14.1 – What is Correct Reasoning?
    4. 14.2 – Inductive Reasoning
      1. Generalization
      2. Causal reasoning
      3. Sign Reasoning
      4. Analogical reasoning
    5. 14.3 – Deductive Reasoning
    6. 14.4 – Logical Fallacies
      1. False Analogy
      2. False Cause
      3. Slippery Slope
      4. Post hoc ergo propter hoc
      5. Hasty Generalization
      6. Straw Man
      7. Argument from Silence
      8. Statistical fallacies
      9. Non Sequitur
      10. Inappropriate Appeal to Authority
      11. False Dilemma
      12. Appeal to Tradition
      13. Bandwagon
      14. Red Herring
      15. Ad Hominem
      16. Ad Misericordium
      17. Plain Folks
      18. Guilt by Association
    7. Conclusion
    8. Something to Think About
  16. Chapter 15: Special Occasion Speaking
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Chapter Preview
    3. 15.1 – Understanding Special Occasion Speeches
      1. Be Prepared
      2. Adapt to the Occasion
      3. Adapt to Your Audience
      4. Be Mindful of the Time
    4. 15.2 – Types of Special Occasion Speeches
      1. Speeches of Introduction
      2. Speeches of Presentation
      3. Speeches of Acceptance
      4. Speeches of Dedication
      5. Toasts
      6. Roasts
      7. Eulogies
      8. Speeches of Farewell
      9. Speeches for Commencements
      10. After-Dinner Speeches
      11. Motivational Speeches
      12. Summary
    5. 15.3 – Special Occasion Language
    6. 15.4 – Special Occasion Delivery
    7. Conclusion
  17. Appendix A: Cultural Diversity in Public Speaking
    1. Benefits and Challenges
    2. Implications
  18. Appendix B: Succeeding as a College Student
    1. Part 1: How To Be a College Student
      1. The Journey
      2. Why College?
      3. Preparation
      4. Getting the Big Picture of College
      5. Advising and Your Classes
      6. Values
      7. College Faculty
      8. Parting thoughts
    2. Part 2: Learning to Learn
    3. Part 3: Reading Your Textbooks and Other Resources
      1. College Reading
      2. Concentration
    4. Part 4: Effective Memorization
      1. Effective Memorization
      2. General Principles:
    5. Part 5: Test Anxiety/Speech Anxiety
    6. Part 6: Test-taking
      1. General Tips for Studying for Exams
      2. Additional Tips for Multiple Choice Questions
      3. Additional Tips for Matching Questions
      4. Additional Tips for True and False Questions
      5. Additional Tips for Essay Questions
    7. Part 7: Avoiding Plagiarism
      1. How do we teach about plagiarism?
      2. References
  19. Appendix C: Public Speaking Online
    1. Preparation for Online Speaking
    2. During the Web Speech
    3. Ending
    4. Speaking for an Online Class
    5. Conclusion
  20. Appendix D: Funny Talk: The Art and Craft of Using Humor in Public Address
    1. Humor and Audiences: Positives and Negatives
    2. Humorous Speaking Tips
      1. Positive Aspects
      2. Negative Aspects
  21. Appendix E: APA Citation
    1. Learning Objectives
    2. Appendix Preview
    3. E.1 – Citation
    4. E.2 – When to Cite
    5. E.3 – Elements of citation
      1. In-Context Citation
      2. Quotation
      3. Paraphrasing
    6. E.4 - APA Resources
    7. E.5 - Reference List
      1. Sample References
  22. Appendix F: Research with Dalton State Library Resources
    1. “GIL-Find,” the Library Catalog
    2. GALILEO
  23. Appendix I: Sample Outlines and Formats
    1. Informative Speech on Types of Coffee Around the World
    2. Persuasive Speech on Reading During Leisure Time
    3. Sample Format 1
    4. Sample Format 2
    5. Sample Format 3
  24. Appendix J: Case Studies
    1. Chapter 3
    2. Chapter 4
    3. Chapter 6
    4. Chapter 7

Appendix D: Funny Talk: The Art and Craft of Using Humor in Public Address

What is so funny about public speaking? Well, nothing really. On the other hand, a speech that includes some timely and well delivered humor can be especially gratifying for both speaker and audience. Dottie Walters said “Begin with a laugh and end with a tear.” The judicious, strategic, and appropriate use of humor in speaking can help the audience have a positive feeling about: 1) the Subject, 2) the Speaker and 3) the Speech itself. Many people are hesitant to use humor in speeches for a variety of reasons. Some people think that humor is never appropriate for speeches. Some people shy away from it because they do not feel that they are funny. Some people do not use it because they are afraid if no one laughs it is another chance to be rejected. Some do not use it because it may take a bit of extra work to include relevant humor in a speech. You should not be afraid to use humor. With the right planning, preparation, and practice, you can be an effective purveyor of the comic arts. You may find that both you and your audience will be better for it.

Becoming proficient in using humor to connect with audiences and get your message across is not easy. It takes quite a bit of study and practice. Grady Jim Robison noted, quite correctly, that “Humor is not easy-it just looks that way when well done.” Many people will say that they cannot tell a joke or do not have a sense of humor. Using humor, whether a joke, funny story, or other bit of amusing material is a skill which can be developed. There may be some people who are more naturally adept at it, however nearly everyone can learn how to inject a bit of humor into their speeches.

Scholars and practitioners have studied the value and challenges of using humor in public speaking for many years. Consider the information in the following table:

Humor and Audiences: Positives and Negatives

ScholarWorkPositivesNegatives
Beebe & BeebePublic Speaking Handbook (2013)Message RetentionOffensiveness Potential
Campbell & HuxmanThe Rhetorical ActAttention Keeping, Audience IdentificationBad Taste Potential
Engleberg & DalyThink Public Speaking (2013)Information Retention, Defuse Anger, Ease Tension, Stimulate ActionOffensiveness, Irrelevance
FergusonPublic Speaking: Building Competency in Stages (2008)Audience Attention and EnjoymentOffensiveness
Fraleigh & TumanSpeak Up: An Illustrated Guide to Public Speaking (2009)Enhances Interest, Gains Attention, Establishes CredibilityUnfunny, Credibility Diminishing
Ford-BrownSpeaker (2013)
Grice & SkinnerMastering Public Speaking (2011)Favorable Self Image, Attention Getting, Defuse Audience, Hostility , Emphasize Key Ideas, Transition Between PointsTrivializing Topic, Offending Audience
Hogan, et alPublic Speaking and Civic Engagement (2011)Audience Attention and InterestDisrespectful, Irrelevant
LucasThe Art of Public Speaking (2012)Audience EnjoymentOffensiveness
O’Hair, Stewart & RubensteinA Speaker’s Guidebook (2010)Rapport Building, Make Key Points, Introduce ThemesIrrelevance, Bad Taste
Osborn, Osborn, & OsbornPublic Speaking (2009)Relationship Building with Audience, Information RetentionCan Seem Contrived and Flat, Irrelevance
Ross & LeonardIntroduction to the Speechmaking Process (2009)Positive Showmanship, Information RetentionOffensiveness
Samovar & McDanielPublic Speaking in a Multicultural Society (2007)Point the Audience in the Direction of the TopicCultural Inappropriateness
ZarefskyPublic Speaking Strategies for Success (2011)Relaxes the Audience, Speaker Favorability, Disarms SkepticsIrrelevance, Offensiveness

Humorous Speaking Tips

Having seen both the value and the complications connected to humor use in speeches, please examine the following tips that weigh both the positive and negative aspects of humor in public address.

Positive Aspects

  • Humor is an effective attention getter. You have just a few seconds to make the audience want to hear more. Humor can be a wonderful tool to do exactly that. If you can make the audience laugh or smile at the very beginning, then you will have them anxiously awaiting what you have to say next.

  • Humor is an effective attention keeper. Audiences can drift away, especially in an age when attention spans are shrinking. Sometimes you have to rein them back in. You can do this with a bit of humor.

  • Humor can be used to break the monotony. Sometimes you will be dealing with a technical or tedious bit of information that requires a lot of explanation. When this happens, people may begin to get restless. Perk them up with some humor.

  • Humor can be used to help your audience remember. There is substantial research which supports the idea that information retention is aided when connected with a piece of humor or a good story. The key is to make sure that it is actually connected to the information you want them to remember.

  • Humor can be used to help your audience have a positive feeling about the message and about you as a speaker. They will likely also have very positive feelings about the event itself and about themselves. Humor can be used for affinity building with your audience. The more they like you or feel connected with you, the more open they are to your message.

  • Humor can be used to diffuse tension or to soften the blow of a serious or controversial point. Sometimes you will have to make a point that your audience needs but may not want to hear. You can use humor to make that point. You can deflect criticism with humor. Both presidents Kennedy and Reagan were masters of this. Both used humor to deflect criticisms of their age when they ran for president. Opponents thought John Kennedy was too young to be president and Ronald Reagan was too old. Their humor obviously worked. As William K. Zinsser said, “What I want to do is make people laugh so that they’ll see things seriously.”

Negative Aspects

  • Humor can offend. It is best to avoid humor that uses sexist, racist, or demeaning language. Avoid profanity and vulgarity and sexual references. You should generally avoid partisan political humor unless you do not mind risking losing half of your audience. Be sure that your language is context-appropriate. Speaking at the Kiwanis club is not the same as speaking at the comedy club.

  • Humor can make your topic seem trivial. The use of too much humor, especially irrelevant and silly humor, may cause your audience to lose sight of the importance of your topic. Consider how much and what kind of humor to use, particularly when dealing with sensitive or controversial topics.

  • Humor can be mere filler. When you eat a meal, it is important to eat a balanced diet and remember to eat your vegetables. Dessert is delicious but should not be the entire meal. Think of humor as the dessert or as side dishes and not as the entrée.

  • Humor can be difficult to translate or understand. If the audience contains several people who do not share your native tongue or national identity be careful that you do not use humor that may not be easily translated by them. Word play can be especially challenging in this situation.

  • Humor can be culturally inappropriate. Some gestures, words, or phrases may have different meanings in other cultures. In the U. S. the thumbs up sign means “all is well.” In some countries it is considered a vulgar and offensive gesture.

  • Humor can be irrelevant. If the humor does not connect with the greater message, it can become a distraction. Remember, you do not just want them to laugh, but to consider your entire message very carefully. They may become annoyed or fail to understand the point you are trying to make.

  • Humor can be unfunny. Sometimes humor falls flat. It may be that they have heard it before or they do not get it, or they just do not find it funny. Remember, humor is subjective. People laugh at different things and for different reasons. Sometimes they are preoccupied with other realities of life. Do not be disheartened. Move on to the next piece of information in the speech. Do not keep repeating the joke or try to explain to them why it is funny. They might be insulted and you are wasting valuable speech time.

As you can see, using humor in your speaking is not necessarily easy, but it is well worth the investment of time and energy. Stewart Harral noted, “Get a laugh and you’ve got an audience!” It will take some planning and some practice. One of the things that worries beginning speakers the most when it comes to humor use is that they think they must prepare original material and become professional standup comedians or humor writers. This is not the case. Certainly, if you have an aptitude for creating humor then develop and nurture that talent and apply it to your publics speaking. Original, fresh humor that comes from a speaker’s experience is always appreciated by an audience.

On the other hand, you need not feel as though you must create amazing pieces of comedy when there is much good, relevant humor available for you to use. Remember that humor is not just joke-telling. In fact, for most speeches jokes are not really the best kind of humor to use. You can use amusing stories, light verse, funny lists, comical visuals, etc. Be sure to give credit to the source. The more you develop this skill, the more comfortable you will become. You may even find that you are a gifted humorist. At any rate, your audience will likely appreciate the effort.

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