This document outlines topics that will be covered in a Year 10 English elective semester on comedy, including what prompts laughter, definitions of comedy and humor, and different types of comedy such as slapstick, satire, and stand-up. Some of the comedy types and examples that will be discussed are slapstick, physical comedy, social and political satire, sitcoms, and stand-up comedy. The purpose and techniques of satire are also mentioned, such as exaggerating faults to ridicule them.
8. "When you look at Australians being funny, being
amused by others, swapping blonde jokes or
talking about their favourite comedies on tv, you
see...their bodies are energised, their eyes are
alight...Faced by a huge continent, so alien and
desolate, knocked around by droughts and
bushfires and floods, early immigrants responded
with comedy. It helped the society to survive and
eventually prosper."
John Marsden
11. Main purpose to attack some fault,
pretension or hypocrisy by a person, society
or nation. Aims to reveal abuses and ridicule
them.
Works through exaggeration
Analogy (ridiculous equivalent to real-life)
Reversal
12. Inappropriateuse of confusing words which
look or sound the same
Kim: I just want to be effluent
Kath: You are effluent, Kim
13. Easilyrecognised characters
The audience pre-judge and will either
approve or disapprove
View satire of High School stereotypes after
watching “Clueless”
14. One person with a microphone
Anecdotes, story with gags, series of jokes
Relies on charm, skill and confidence of
performer and reaction of audience