Humor

Introduction

The Humor Project began with us reading and analyzing the novel Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, where we focused on the different humor techniques he used to communicate deeper ideas and commentary. After that, I selected my own piece of humor to study and wrote a rhetorical analysis examining how comedic techniques were used effectively. Finally, my partner and I created our own original humor piece for the Humor Celebration, where we applied what we learned about visual, written, and verbal comedy throughout the project.

One thing I valued about this project was learning how humor can go beyond simply making people laugh and instead communicate deeper messages or perspectives. I also gained a better understanding of different humor techniques and how they can be used effectively in visual, written, and verbal storytelling. The collaborative aspect of the project was especially valuable because it allowed me to build ideas with others and see how creativity develops through teamwork.

Rhetorical Analysis

Humor Proposal & Script

For the humor project, I worked with my classmate Mia. We wanted to create a cartoon that satirizes some of the challenging but sometimes also stressful or embarrassing experiences students go through at Freestyle. Freestyle is a lot about encouraging students to put themselves out their and try things outside of their comfort zone, so naturally that results in students feeling uncomfortable (but in a growth way). We wanted our humor project to be funny and relatable, and focus on moments that many Freestyle students have experienced themselves.

We used caricature by exaggerating the students’ nervous facial expressions and stiff body language to make the situation look more dramatic and funny.
It is also situational humor because it is the situation that is the main conflict, causing the tension that the characters feel.

Final Humor Project Production