Comic Structure
The Rule Behind a Running Gag
The rule behind a running gag turns repetition into expectation, then makes one precise change earn a laugh without…
The full shelf
All writing
Browse writing on comic structure, characters, performance, comedy forms and the traditions behind them. Each piece takes one clear idea and follows it through.
Characters
Straight Man or Scene-Stealer? Two Character Roles Compared
Straight man and scene-stealer roles shape comic scenes through distinct character choices. Use practical goals and…
Performance
The Pause That Changes a Punchline
The pause before or after a punchline changes what an audience notices. Choose the placement that sharpens surprise…
Comedy History
Before the Sketch Show: A Short History of the Variety Bill
The variety bill brought different comic acts together in one evening; learn how its format shaped performance and…
Comedy Forms
A Five-Beat Plan for a Silent Comic Scene
A five-beat plan for a silent comic scene turns a visible task into playable action, with staging choices that make…
Our point of view
Laughter has a point of view
Comedy is pleasure and construction at once. We look at the choices behind the laugh, without pretending every joke works for every audience.