Joke writing
Course
In London
Description
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Type
Course
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Location
London
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Start date
Different dates available
Discover how jokes work - and write and hone your own. In this course, we'll uncover the devices and techniques that lie behind the classic one-liner, and we will look at how to get the best out of a joke, by exploring clarity, wording, structure and more.
The Tutor
Kate Smurthwaite writes for BBC3’s BAFTA-winning The Revolution Will Be Televised and the UK's leading political satire show Have I Got News For You. She also writes and tours an annual solo political comedy show and has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the past 12 years. She is often a guest on news and debate shows including Question Time, BBC News and Channel 4 News, and has been has written fr publications including The Guardian and The Independent.
City Lit reserves the right to change course tutors from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
- Identify the classic joke structure
- Begin writing jokes in that style
- Describe a range of comic devices that lie behind jokes
- Identify strategies for maximising the effect of a joke.
No compulsory purchases. Students may like to buy books, scripts, videos or recordings to further explore in their own time. Guidance will be given on worthwhile purchases for those interested.
Talks, discussion, pair work, group exercises and games, plus watching and listening to illustrative clips. No work outside of class.
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.
Reviews
Subjects
- Writing
Course programme
- The classic one-liner, looking at examples from the likes of Jack Dee and Jimmy Carr.
- The mechanics of the classic one-liner and the key attributes of good joke writing.
- Honing and refining your own jokes to maximise their effect and illustrate fundamental joke writing techniques.
Along the way, we will read jokes, tell jokes and watch stand up comedians tell jokes on video.
Additional information
Joke writing
