The Humor Rx for Speakers

Abdulla Al-Abandi

Description

The Humor Rx for Speakers offers speakers and speakers-to-be practical tips on how to use humor in their public speaking engagements, whether formal or informal. There are 77 tips on various topics related to humorous speaking. Numerous humorous examples have been used to illustrate the tips. You will also enjoy some of the exercises included in some of the tips.

In addition to the tips, the book includes an introduction about what humor is all about, as well as some essential guidelines on how to make humor effective. You will also enjoy the illustrations that precede some of the tips, and you may want to try to caption them.

Also, some of the finest humorous quotes have been selectively compiled that could give you some ideas for funny one-liners or personalized short stories.

You can start this book anywhere. Even if you are not a speaker, you will get some musings from reading the tips.

The foreword of the book was written by Mark L. Brown, the Toastmasters International 1995 world champion of public speaking.

Sujets

• Santé et bien-être
• Développement personnel
• Humor

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 07 décembre 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9786030382149
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 6 Mo

Extrait

“Although this is a book for speakers, it could also be a book for anyone who wishes to add some spice to their verbiage. Abdulla applies his considerable expertise in the field of humor and wraps it all up with a big, funny bow. Not only will you get solid information on making your speeches (or casual conversation) more humorous, you will enjoy the ride. For anyone looking to gain a better understanding of the Art of Funny and have a great time in the process, run, don’t walk to get this book. Your speeches will thank you.”
—Kay Frances, MBA BS, Certified Speaking Professional, Funny Motivational Speaker, Author of “ The Funny Thing About Stress ” and all-around great lady. (Her words.)
Abdulla shares not only the ‘what’, but also the ‘how’, and most importantly the ‘why’ of successful humor. These tips will help you be funnier on the platform, as you deliver any type of presentation, and in social settings while having a general conversation. This is a book that you’ll go back to again and again as you ‘hone your humor heart’. As you read, you’ll find a wealth of solid, usable ideas and exercises that will help you to be funnier and funnier. You will learn a lot, and I’m pretty confident that you’ll have a good laugh while you do!
—Mark L Brown, Certified Speaking Professional, World Champion of Public Speaking, 1995
“Abdulla has the unique skills to be able to explain the detailed process of humor development and delivery. Following his techniques will give the reader the ability to develop the type of humor that gets audiences exploding into laughter. Not funny and want to be? This book will reveal your true capabilities. Already practicing this art and want to bring audience chuckles to belly-laughs? The step-by-step strategies he explains will reveal the subtle details that will get you there.”
—Dave Hill, Funny Motivational Keynote Speaker
It always amazes me how Abdulla turns, instantly, every humor-less line into humor-full line; no matter what the content or the context. He’s my no.1 go-to humor coach, for any speaker who lacks the sense or the skill to see the humor in the serious — a tiresome task for (or “to”) many speakers; a trivial effort for (or “to”) Abdulla.
—Mohamed Shukri, International award-winning and Accredited Speaker, Founder and CEO, Y-Access Training Solutions
“If you want more laughter, learn from the master. In this book, Abdulla shares with you tried and tested techniques to make your audience chuckle and laugh. This book is worth the investment.”
—Mohamed Isa, CFO, Investment Banking
This book is dedicated to:
 
My wife for her good sense of humor and ensuring I am fed properly.
 
My children for being a source of my happiness, my inspiration, and my hair loss.
 
A special thanks to my daughter, Danya, for editing the book for no charge, and a small set of jewellery.
 
My audience for their faith in me and laughing at my silly jokes.


 
ISBN: 978-603-03-8214-9
Copyright ©2021
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
Educational packages are available to institutions and charitable trusts. For information about the availability of the author to present as a guest speaker and volume discounts, please contact him on [e-mail].
Cover design and typesetting by: Cartoon Planet Advertising and Promotion www.cartoon-planet.com
Illustrations by: Jiyuurei. Instagram: @ jiyuureii
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
01 “Let me tell you a joke.” No, please don’t burn the joke!
02 A clever setup is half the punch line. Make it short.
03 First test of humor: Does it really sound funny to you?
04 What got you a laugh there may not get you a laugh here.
05 Modify unoriginal jokes and put yourself in the story. Be the target!
06 For maximum impact, place the punch line or word at the end of the funny story.
07 You can’t have your joke and eat it too! Don’t laugh at your own jokes.
08 Say your punch line with a sense of closing.
09 Our brain recognizes the familiar. Find a mismatch that breaks it!
10 When stacking punch lines, save the best for last.
11 Never explain your joke!
12 If you use puns, make sure they are relatable to the audience.
13 Raise your humor impact: Mix the “aha” with the “haha” cleverly.
14 Do not leak your punch line!
15 Revisit difficult times. Time helps in discovering the funny side of an unfortunate situation.
16 Where do I find humor? Don’t go far! Search within.
17 Make your acronyms relatable.
18 Don’t forget the punch line’s friend, the “nudge!”
19 Unheard punch line, unheard laughter.
20 Try the rule of three. It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3.
21 Use that “Golden Pause.” It gives humor higher impact.
22 Take a fact about yourself and give it a funny twist.
23 Humor is “rewritten!”
24 Enhance your sense of humor.
25 It’s not what you say; it’s how you say it.
26 Use a starter chuckle. It tests the water and won’t hurt if it bombs.
27 Cleverly, plant a callback.
28 Watch out not to alienate part of your audience.
29 Avoid sounding hesitant, tense or unsure when saying your punch line.
30 Throw in naturally funny words. They bring smiles and ready the audience for a laugh.
31 Do you shy from telling jokes that may sound absurd? Don’t!
32 Put your humor through a real test. Gauge the response.
33 Use another speaker’s material to your advantage.
34 Your humor bombed? Don’t be discouraged. Happens all the time!
35 When your audience laughs, shut up!
36 If at first you don’t succeed, exaggerate!
37 Involve the audience and prepare well for it.
38 Drive them in a straight path, then make a sharp turn!
39 Record it… you can’t remember it all!
40 Use funny analogies. They are great as one liners.
41 Tap on your personal experiences and massage them.
42 Impersonate only if you are good at it!
43 If you use reference material, modify it to fit in with your story.
44 Spice up your business presentations with relevant humor.
45 You want to ad lib, try one-liners or quips.
46 One more time, think callbacks!
47 Heighten your originality by being observant.
48 Please, don’t read me a joke.
49 Keep your humor clean and in good taste.
50 Use some information or a fact, then twist it.
51 Learn, learn, learn. It’s your ticket for high-impact humor.
52 Speaking to a specific sector or industry? Do your homework to bring the funny.
53 An embarrassing moment? Find the funny in it.
54 Play with numbers and statistics; they are a good source of humor.
55 Veer away from logical and linear thinking; think absurdly.
56 Play it safe; don’t pick on anyone in the audience.
57 Open with your audience in mind; find something about them and use it.
58 A beginner in using humor? Try short stories.
59 Don’t confuse written humor with spoken humor!
60 Be more animated, show energy and enthusiasm.
61 Hunting for a funny story? Have you checked within the family?
62 Change emphasis and you are in for something funny... or funnier.
63 Redefine definitions!
64 Avoid slapstick humor, unless it’s your talent!
65 You want to create suspense? Work the “he-said-I-said.”
66 Build Tension by involving the audience
67 Practice, Practice, Practice
68 Be a critic! Why wasn’t the joke funny?
69 Play the “how-will-I-comment” game.
70 That sign! Wasn’t it seriously funny?
71 Switch roles.
72 Say the truth then change perspective.
73 Anyone can tell humor.
74 Befriend those who make you laugh.
75 A funny photo can bring down the house.
76 Get someone to coach you.
77 Find your own style.
Guidelines for Effective Humor
Final Thoughts
Appendix A
Contact the Author
 
Foreword
Mark L. Brown
Abdula Abandi and I first met in the spring of 2001, when we were both speaking at a Toastmasters International event in Manama, Bahrain. He was a contestant in the Humorous Speech Contest, and as the 1995 World Champion of Public Speaking, I was the ‘special guest’ keynote speaker. It didn’t take me long to befriend Abdulla, and by the end of the event I began calling him ‘The funniest man in the Middle East.’ We have built a wonderful friendship, and now, after almost 20 years, I haven’t changed my opinion in the least. Abdulla is just plain FUNNY! Every once in a while, I’ll play the YouTube video of his hilarious speech in Bahrain from all those years ago (I’ve added it to my COMEDY playlist) and just laugh out loud.
Abdulla is a wonderful communicator, and a professional speaker who has been a member of the John Maxwell Team for several years. However, he has a HEART for humor…and always will. He’s studied it, he’s practiced it, and he’s used it…for decades.
He also thoroughly enjoys SHARING humor, which is why he probably couldn’t help but write this little book. It’s really nice to know that he’s sharing his expertise and experience in the pages that follow, and trust me…you’ll find no pedagogical treatises here, no way!
This book just has simple, clear, and practical tips on every aspect of creating and delivering humorous material. Abdulla shares not only the ‘what’, but also the ‘how’, and most importantly the ‘why’ of successful humor. These tips will help you be funnier on the platform, as you deliver any type of presentation, and in social settings while having general conversation.
This is a book that you’ll go back to again and again as you ‘hone your humor heart’. As you read, you’ll find a wealth of solid, usable ideas and exercises that will help you to be funnier and funnier. You will learn a lot, and I’m pretty confident that you’ll have a good laugh while you do!
Mark L Brown, Certified Spe