The use of clever wordplay also plays a big part. Take the joke 'I'm reading a book about anti - gravity. It's impossible to put down.' The play on words here is what makes it humorous. A good humour funny story often has elements that are relatable too. We can all understand the feeling of being clumsy, so a story about someone tripping over their own feet in a hilarious way can be very appealing.
There was a family who left out cookies and milk for Santa. But their dog ate them all before Santa arrived. When Santa came, he left a note saying 'Your dog has a better appetite than me! Next time, keep him away from my treats.' The family laughed when they read it on Christmas morning.
Humour plays a great role in our life story. It can act as a stress reliever. For example, after a long day at work, a funny joke from a friend can instantly lighten the mood. It also helps in building relationships. People are more attracted to those with a sense of humour as it makes interactions more enjoyable.
They often use irony. In dark humour short stories, things are not as they seem on the surface. The situation might be really bad, but the way it's presented, like through the use of sarcasm or a play on words, makes it humorous in a dark way. Take 'The Cask of Amontillado' where the narrator's false friendship and his act of revenge are told in a way that has this ironic and darkly humorous undertone.
Humour has a profound impact on our life story. It gives us a different way to view the world. Instead of always seeing the negative or the serious side, humour allows us to find the lighter side of things. In our relationships, it's like a glue that holds people together. Whether it's with friends, family or colleagues, humour creates a bond. It can also be a way to cope with setbacks. Instead of being completely defeated by a failure, we can use humour to see the absurdity in the situation and move forward with a more positive attitude.
The use of language is crucial too. Clever wordplay, sarcasm, and exaggeration can all add to the humour. In 'The Stolen Bacillus', Wells uses a lot of scientific jargon in a comical way, making the situation more absurd and the story more humorous. He also exaggerates the reactions of the characters, which amps up the comical factor.
The use of irony is a big characteristic. Consider a story where a fitness fanatic is always talking about healthy eating but is caught secretly eating a whole box of chocolates. This irony creates humour. Satire can also be present in English humour stories. They can poke fun at social norms or human vices. And of course, the element of exaggeration, like a man claiming he has a million things to do when in fact he just has a few errands, is also quite common in these stories.
One characteristic is unexpected twists. For example, in a story where a character is expecting one thing to happen, like getting a big promotion at work, but instead they end up getting a job as a janitor in the same company. Another is the use of exaggerated characters. A character might be extremely clumsy or overly confident, which leads to humorous situations. Also, a lot of humour long stories play with language, like using puns or mispronunciations.