One element is absurdity. If there are really strange or illogical things in the story, it can be funny. In the case of my baking story, mixing up salt and sugar in large amounts was absurd. Also, the way you tell the story matters. If you use exaggeration, like saying 'I put in a ton of salt instead of sugar', it adds to the humor. And relatable situations can also make it funny because people can put themselves in your shoes and find the humor in it.
One element is the unexpected consequences of our actions. For example, if you promise to clean your room by a certain time and instead you make it even messier trying to clean it quickly at the last minute. Another is self - realization. When you suddenly realize how silly your mistake was, like when you think you're an expert at something and then mess it up completely. And also the way we try to fix things. If we come up with really odd solutions to make up for our mistakes, it can be quite funny.
Surprise is a big one. Like in my coffee shop story with the pigeon, it was unexpected and that made it funny. Another element is self - deprecation. When you can laugh at your own mistakes or awkward situations, it often makes for a great funny story. For example, when I tripped while dancing at the party. Also, a bit of absurdity helps. Saying something completely wrong during a presentation like I did in high school added an element of absurdity that made the story funny.
Surprise is a big one. Like in my story where the monkey snatched my popcorn out of the blue. It's unexpected and that makes it funny. Also, self - deprecation can be great. When you can laugh at your own mistakes or clumsy actions, it makes the story relatable and humorous. For example, when I tripped over my boots at the party.
The atmosphere also matters a great deal. In my childhood apartment experience, the dark hallway and the feeling of isolation contributed to the overall scariness of the cold hand on my shoulder.
Relatable situations also work well. We all know how it feels to be embarrassed in public. A story about someone slipping on a banana peel in a crowded place is funny because we can put ourselves in that situation.
Surprise is a key element. For example, in a short story like 'The cat thought it was a dog for a day. Then it remembered it had nine lives and didn't care anymore.' The unexpected twist at the end makes it funny.
A good personal story usually has an engaging plot, relatable characters, and a clear message or lesson.
One element is their innocent misunderstandings. For example, thinking a dog is a big furry cat. Another is their clumsy attempts at doing adult - like things, like trying to shave with a toy razor. Also, their unpredictable reactions to simple things. Say, when they see a balloon pop and instead of being scared, they start laughing.
One important element is the relatability of the characters. If the characters are doing things that people can imagine themselves or others doing in a silly way, it's funny. For instance, a story about a person trying to fit into clothes that are way too small for them. Exaggeration also plays a big role. A story where a man's nose is so long it reaches the other side of the room is bound to be funny. And of course, the unexpected twist at the end. A story that seems to be going in one direction and then suddenly takes a completely different turn is always hilarious.
The use of French accents and unique expressions can make a story funny. For example, when a character over - exaggerates their pronunciation or uses very local and colorful idioms. Also, the French way of life with its cafes, baguettes, and love for wine can be a source of humor. If you describe a character who is overly passionate about their coffee and gets into a comical situation because of it, like chasing after a barista for the perfect espresso.