The Use Of Humor In Positive Persuasion Part Two
By Rick Kirschner
How do we use in our communication if we want to increase goodwill and build common ground? How do we persuade by using humor? How do we use our wit to keep our wits about us?
For starters, be non-verbal! No, no, I don't mean don't say anything! Although there are people who, without saying a word, can make people laugh, and even change people's minds, because they're funny to watch. Just as there are people who provoke laughter in others by acting funny, looking funny, and sounding funny, regardless of what they say. But I'll say this about the way people look and sound. Nonverbal makes verbal funnier. And a lack of funny nonverbals can make attempts at lightheartedness seem heavy handed, as they fall flat, flat like the
ocean on a hot windless day in the tropics, as the hot sweat pours from your skin like hot tea, but there is no tea because there is no water to drink, and why? Because somebody talked you into a walk under a now missing cover of clouds, telling you what great exercise it would, only you find yourself getting exercised with hot emotion instead, shouting to an unresponsive heaven that "THIS IS NO VACATION????? HEAVENLY GOD, WHY? WHY? WHY DO YOU DESIRE ME TO DIE?????"and there is no echo from your anguished cry, as it falls, then flattens against the silence, and the hot heat seems hotter than had you not spoken at all. But I digress.
The point I'm trying to make is that verbal humor, without nonverbal to support it, can be risky business, like writing that previous sentence. it was hysterical when I was saying that, but sadly you could not see that. I could. Trust me, it was VERY funny. But all you have are the words. In fact, one of the un-funniest things you can try to do with words is write about what is funny. It's painful! But the good news is, pain is funny. Keep laughing at me or with me and I'll explain in a moment.
While there are inherently funny words, (newcular instead of nuclear, for example) you will find more funny in a facial expression, a playful voice tone, and an exaggerated gesture. And you can use words to create a funny picture, to imply an accent, or to demonstrate that you have plenty of attitude. You want I should 'splain it to youse wit a pitcher? Well, pitcher this. Cartoons ever make you laugh? Oh yes, they did. And how? Through the dishing out of incredible amounts of pain. Just why did that tickle you? The painful fact is, that...the remaining words of this sentence can only be found in the THIRD PART of this series!
Dr. Rick Kirschner is a bestselling author, speaker, teletrainer and coach. He is the author of the 'Insider's Guide To The Art Of Persuasion,' now available at TheArtofChange.com , along with a blog, complementary newsletter and podcasts. LIMITED OFFER! Get a $49 audio on Dealing With Difficult People FREE! Details at theartofchange.com/promo
Here are some more redneck humor articles...
By Rick Kirschner
How do we use in our communication if we want to increase goodwill and build common ground? How do we persuade by using humor? How do we use our wit to keep our wits about us?
For starters, be non-verbal! No, no, I don't mean don't say anything! Although there are people who, without saying a word, can make people laugh, and even change people's minds, because they're funny to watch. Just as there are people who provoke laughter in others by acting funny, looking funny, and sounding funny, regardless of what they say. But I'll say this about the way people look and sound. Nonverbal makes verbal funnier. And a lack of funny nonverbals can make attempts at lightheartedness seem heavy handed, as they fall flat, flat like the
ocean on a hot windless day in the tropics, as the hot sweat pours from your skin like hot tea, but there is no tea because there is no water to drink, and why? Because somebody talked you into a walk under a now missing cover of clouds, telling you what great exercise it would, only you find yourself getting exercised with hot emotion instead, shouting to an unresponsive heaven that "THIS IS NO VACATION????? HEAVENLY GOD, WHY? WHY? WHY DO YOU DESIRE ME TO DIE?????"and there is no echo from your anguished cry, as it falls, then flattens against the silence, and the hot heat seems hotter than had you not spoken at all. But I digress.
The point I'm trying to make is that verbal humor, without nonverbal to support it, can be risky business, like writing that previous sentence. it was hysterical when I was saying that, but sadly you could not see that. I could. Trust me, it was VERY funny. But all you have are the words. In fact, one of the un-funniest things you can try to do with words is write about what is funny. It's painful! But the good news is, pain is funny. Keep laughing at me or with me and I'll explain in a moment.
While there are inherently funny words, (newcular instead of nuclear, for example) you will find more funny in a facial expression, a playful voice tone, and an exaggerated gesture. And you can use words to create a funny picture, to imply an accent, or to demonstrate that you have plenty of attitude. You want I should 'splain it to youse wit a pitcher? Well, pitcher this. Cartoons ever make you laugh? Oh yes, they did. And how? Through the dishing out of incredible amounts of pain. Just why did that tickle you? The painful fact is, that...the remaining words of this sentence can only be found in the THIRD PART of this series!
Dr. Rick Kirschner is a bestselling author, speaker, teletrainer and coach. He is the author of the 'Insider's Guide To The Art Of Persuasion,' now available at TheArtofChange.com , along with a blog, complementary newsletter and podcasts. LIMITED OFFER! Get a $49 audio on Dealing With Difficult People FREE! Details at theartofchange.com/promo
Here are some more redneck humor articles...
| Use Humor For Amazing Viral Marketing Results By Gerald Mason - A study by Sharpe Partners, an interactive marketing agency, revealed that 89% of adult Internet users in America share content with others via e-mail.This is excellent news Read more... |
How To Release Stress With Humor Therapy By Bryan Len Many people have made a career of getting stressed up! The whole world knows that laughter is therapeutic because a good laugh makes you feel better, instantly. Benefits Of Read more... |
The Power Of Humor By Martin Merrill What can you do with humor?Sure you can have fun with it—or else why do people pay for the comedy shows and those comedy channels? You can also use it reduce tension, find a Read more... |
