Creating new jokes from scratch is one of the hardest parts of stand-up comedy. Our brains are hardwired for repetition, patterns, and habits. This is where random words can help.
Using a random word generator helps our thinking jump two or more steps away from the obvious. And that’s where the humour can be found. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Generate random words
Click on the button below. A random adjective and noun will appear.
Step 2: Create a mental image
The words should create an immediate mental image. Don’t fight it!
For example the two random words, ‘Courageous Introduction’, might remind you of a confident politician talking at rally, but looking a bit slimy. Alternatively, you might get ‘Frantic Actor’ and that might remind you of a dusty theatre, with a single sweating actor on stage quoting Shakespeare.
Step 3: Generate a story
What is this politician saying? Do they have a unique policy? Why is the actor sweating? What are they wearing? You don’t have to include the original random words in your story. They were just stepping stones to get you away from habitual thinking.
Step 4: Now write a joke
Using the ‘Normal-Normal-Twist‘ joke structure, write a joke. You might find yourself focusing on part of the story, like the politician’s tie, or the actor’s accent. You might even make another jump and write a joke about something a politician reminds you of, like bad hair cuts. If nothing comes to mind, click the random word generator again…and again…and again.
There are many ways of creating new jokes, but ultimately the result is that they offer a unique perspective that surprise the audience. The ‘obvious’ is your enemy in comedy.