Whose Line Is It? The Business of Improvisation Applied to Library Instruction Susan Gardner Nikki Julian Felicia Palsson Norah Xiao University of Southern California (USC) Libraries http://libguides.usc.edu/improv

What is “improv”? “ Humor” vs “improv” – Categories of Humor Low Humor (acting stupid; pranks; slapstick) Nonverbal (voice pitch; tone of voice; body language) Impersonation (impersonate; imitate; act out) Other- Oriented (notice reactions; wait for listeners) Expressiveness (outgoing; casual; friendly) Booth-Butterfield, S. & Booth-Butterfield, M. (1991). Individual Differences in the Communication of Humorous Messages. The Southern Communication Journal, 56 (3), 205-218.

“ Humor” vs “improv” – Categories of Humor

Low Humor (acting stupid; pranks; slapstick)

Nonverbal (voice pitch; tone of voice; body language)

Impersonation (impersonate; imitate; act out)

Other- Oriented (notice reactions; wait for listeners)

Expressiveness (outgoing; casual; friendly)

Booth-Butterfield, S. & Booth-Butterfield, M. (1991). Individual Differences in the Communication of Humorous Messages. The Southern Communication Journal, 56 (3), 205-218.

Categories of Humor

Categories of Humor

What is “improv”? Surprises in the lit review: More written on humor in library instruction than improv Improv methods compare to acting/drama Acting methods used in a variety of classrooms, (language, genetics, communication) less so in library instruction

Surprises in the lit review:

More written on humor in library instruction than improv

Improv methods compare to acting/drama

Acting methods used in a variety of classrooms, (language, genetics, communication) less so in library instruction

Improv Coach Focus on communication skills: Eye contact Listening Paying attention Reacting/being responsive to the other person (vs. focus on self)

Focus on communication skills:

Eye contact

Listening

Paying attention

Reacting/being responsive to the other person (vs. focus on self)

Videos The Fight Pocket Sentences

The Fight

Pocket Sentences

Improv Coach Life lessons, not just for teaching! Self-acceptance: like yourself and they will like you Be human, be the brunt of the joke Build relationships Collaborate with your audience, keep them involved

Life lessons, not just for teaching!

Self-acceptance: like yourself and they will like you

Be human, be the brunt of the joke

Build relationships

Collaborate with your audience, keep them involved

Applications

Felicia Let the students set the agenda (let go of control) (accept that mistakes will happen)

Let the students set the agenda

(let go of control)

(accept that mistakes will happen)

Norah 2. Use exercise or physical movement (inserts a natural break when you need one) (gets attention & restores focus & energy)

2. Use exercise or physical movement

(inserts a natural break when you need one)

(gets attention & restores focus & energy)

Susan 3. Role playing (Multiple viewpoints/perspectives) (Simulation based) Videos: Catalog Demo and Different POV

3. Role playing

(Multiple viewpoints/perspectives)

(Simulation based)

Videos: Catalog Demo and Different POV

Nikki 4. Respond with “yes, and…” (always be encouraging) (show you are listening) (makes them feel safe)

4. Respond with “yes, and…”

(always be encouraging)

(show you are listening)

(makes them feel safe)

Questions? http:// libguides.usc.edu/improv