Comments on: Going for Laughs in a Speech is no Joke http://www.creativityworks.net/going-for-laughs-in-a-speech-is-no-joke/ public speaking, speech writing, speech coaching, presentation skills training, messages that stick. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:10:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Stan http://www.creativityworks.net/going-for-laughs-in-a-speech-is-no-joke/comment-page-1/#comment-469 Stan Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:18:06 +0000 http://www.creativityworks.net/?p=667#comment-469 Good article, Martin. Churchill's put-down was brilliantly withering, and all the more effective because the image it evoked was so vivid – like a visual punchline. Anyone can tell a joke; wit requires insight and originality. Good article, Martin. Churchill’s put-down was brilliantly withering, and all the more effective because the image it evoked was so vivid – like a visual punchline. Anyone can tell a joke; wit requires insight and originality.

]]> By: Martin Shovel http://www.creativityworks.net/going-for-laughs-in-a-speech-is-no-joke/comment-page-1/#comment-213 Martin Shovel Thu, 20 May 2010 15:22:45 +0000 http://www.creativityworks.net/?p=667#comment-213 I'm delighted you enjoyed my blogpost Jessica, and I'm pleased you homed in on my point about wit's ambition, because it's the crux of my argument! I take your point about the fine line between wit and a joke, and I think the best way of thickening the line is to put aside all thoughts of humour when you craft your witticisms. A witty juxtaposition of disparate - but enlightening - ideas is all that you should aim for - audience amusement should be thought of as little more than an occasional bonus. I’m delighted you enjoyed my blogpost Jessica, and I’m pleased you homed in on my point about wit’s ambition, because it’s the crux of my argument! I take your point about the fine line between wit and a joke, and I think the best way of thickening the line is to put aside all thoughts of humour when you craft your witticisms. A witty juxtaposition of disparate – but enlightening – ideas is all that you should aim for – audience amusement should be thought of as little more than an occasional bonus.

]]> By: Jessica Pyne http://www.creativityworks.net/going-for-laughs-in-a-speech-is-no-joke/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Jessica Pyne Thu, 20 May 2010 14:12:35 +0000 http://www.creativityworks.net/?p=667#comment-212 Martin - great post. Couldn't agree more. We recommend that presenters never plan to use jokes to 'break the tension' - if there *is* tension, a joke is far more likely to backfire! A failed joke can be a serious jolt to credibility, and would knock the presenter's confidence. I think the trouble is that it can be difficult to tread the fine line between wit and joke. And those who misleadingly think they are using wit to entertain their audiences and make them laugh, are in fact telling jokes (often miserably!). I love the line, 'Wit isn’t bothered about making you laugh, it has a greater ambition, it wants to make you think' - if only more public speakers were to consider this first! Martin – great post. Couldn’t agree more. We recommend that presenters never plan to use jokes to ‘break the tension’ – if there *is* tension, a joke is far more likely to backfire! A failed joke can be a serious jolt to credibility, and would knock the presenter’s confidence.

I think the trouble is that it can be difficult to tread the fine line between wit and joke. And those who misleadingly think they are using wit to entertain their audiences and make them laugh, are in fact telling jokes (often miserably!).

I love the line, ‘Wit isn’t bothered about making you laugh, it has a greater ambition, it wants to make you think’ – if only more public speakers were to consider this first!

]]> By: Martin Shovel http://www.creativityworks.net/going-for-laughs-in-a-speech-is-no-joke/comment-page-1/#comment-211 Martin Shovel Tue, 18 May 2010 10:08:25 +0000 http://www.creativityworks.net/?p=667#comment-211 Many thanks for your comment Andy. I really love your idea that "a metaphor is worth a million bayonets." I also agree with your point about the paucity of metaphors used during the election campaign - could the explanation be that candidates didn't want to say anything too memorable for fear of being called to account after the election? Many thanks for your comment Andy. I really love your idea that “a metaphor is worth a million bayonets.” I also agree with your point about the paucity of metaphors used during the election campaign – could the explanation be that candidates didn’t want to say anything too memorable for fear of being called to account after the election?

]]> By: Andy Green http://www.creativityworks.net/going-for-laughs-in-a-speech-is-no-joke/comment-page-1/#comment-210 Andy Green Tue, 18 May 2010 10:00:50 +0000 http://www.creativityworks.net/?p=667#comment-210 Great article. It highlights yet again the power of metaphors in communication. Wit is a cutting edge example of metaphors in action; it's a message that works on a number of levels which the Churchill and Cable quotes used here both wonderfully demonstrate. (I say a 'picture is worth a thousand words. A metaphor is worth a million bayonets'.) Was it just me who was really disappointed with the leaders' debate and the election overall, in the paucity of metaphors used in the campaigns? Thanks again for a really enjoyable read Great article.
It highlights yet again the power of metaphors in communication. Wit is a cutting edge example of metaphors in action; it’s a message that works on a number of levels which the Churchill and Cable quotes used here both wonderfully demonstrate. (I say a ‘picture is worth a thousand words. A metaphor is worth a million bayonets’.)
Was it just me who was really disappointed with the leaders’ debate and the election overall, in the paucity of metaphors used in the campaigns?
Thanks again for a really enjoyable read

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