The Power of Humor in Public Speaking

Humor is one of the most effective tools in public speaking. It captures attention, diffuses
tension, and makes messages more memorable. Studies in psychology and communication
suggest that well-placed humor can increase persuasion, audience engagement, and
information retention.

But humor isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different forms of humor serve different purposes, and
understanding why humor works—both psychologically and structurally—allows speakers
to use it more effectively.

This guide breaks down the major humor techniques, explores their theoretical
foundations, and provides examples from comedic greats like George Carlin, Richard Pryor,
Robin Williams, Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr, Louis CK, Bo Burnham, Jim Carrey, and more.

1. Self-Deprecating Humor

Making fun of yourself in a lighthearted way.

✅ Builds relatability and humanizes you.
❌ Overuse can lower credibility or seem like fishing for sympathy.

Why It Works: Psychological and Theoretical Basis

Relief Theory (Freud): Laughing at one’s own flaws reduces social tension.
Benign Violation Theory (McGraw & Warren): Self-deprecation works because it presents a
violation (mocking yourself) that is benign (since you're the target).
Social Bonding (Dunbar, 1996): Shared laughter strengthens group cohesion and audience
trust.

Applications in Public Speaking

- Best for self-introductions (establishes warmth).
- Great for breaking tension in high-stakes settings.
- Pairs well with observational humor to ease into deeper topics.

Examples:
- John Mulaney – "I always thought quicksand was going to be a much bigger problem than
it turned out to be."
- Tina Fey – "I have a daughter, and she’s really smart. She has to be, considering how much
TV I let her watch."
- Louis CK – "I have a lot of beliefs, and I live by none of them. That’s just the way I am."
- Bo Burnham – "I’m a comedian, which means my ego is huge but my self-esteem is low."
- Groucho Marx – "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."
- Jim Carrey – "I want to be the first person to get a Nobel Prize for being funny... or possibly
just the first person to get a Nobel Prize at all."

2. Observational Humor

Pointing out everyday absurdities in life.

✅ Highly relatable; makes audiences feel seen.
❌ Needs a fresh perspective to avoid clichés.

Why It Works: Theoretical Basis

Bisociation Theory (Koestler, 1964): Humor arises when two seemingly unrelated ideas
connect unexpectedly.
Schema Violation (Raskin, 1985): We laugh when our mental expectations are subverted.

Applications in Public Speaking

- Works well in introductions to grab attention.
- Great for transitions between topics in a speech.
- Can be tailored to specific audiences for maximum relatability.

Examples:
- Jerry Seinfeld – "Why do they call it 'fast food' when it takes 20 minutes in the drive-thru?"
- Ellen DeGeneres – "My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60.
Now she's 97, and we don't know where she is."
- George Carlin – "Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will
clean them?"
- Bo Burnham – "I love Instagram because it lets me pretend I’m a better person than I
actually am."
- Richard Pryor – "You ever notice how dogs love to stick their heads out of car windows?
That’s because they’re free. Just like us when we were kids."
- Jim Carrey – "I used to believe in a higher power, but I figured out it was just my mom
saying, 'No, no, no, no, no, no!'"

3. Anecdotal Humor

Sharing a short, personal (or fictional) funny story.

✅ Builds narrative engagement and personal connection.
❌ Can drag if too long or overly detailed.
Why It Works: Theoretical Basis
Benign Violation Theory: A surprising (but safe) story creates humor.
Social Identity Theory (Tajfel, 1979): Personal stories help audiences relate and feel
included.

Applications in Public Speaking

- Ideal for introductions and closings.
- Can illustrate complex points in an engaging way.
- Works well when combined with callbacks.

Examples:
- Robin Williams – "I walked into a bar. Ouch. The bartender said, 'What'll you have?' I said,
'Surprise me.' So he showed me a picture of my dad kissing my prom date."
- Kevin Hart – "I told my kids, 'You have to work for what you want.' Then I remembered I
paid for everything they have."

4. Exaggeration & Hyperbole

Blowing something out of proportion for comedic effect.

✅ Adds energy and absurdity.
❌ Must be obviously exaggerated to avoid confusion.

Why It Works: Theoretical Basis

Cognitive Dissonance (Festinger, 1957): The brain laughs when forced to reconcile
absurdity.
Bergson’s Rigidity Theory: Exaggeration makes characters seem mechanical, amplifying
humor.

Examples:
- Jim Gaffigan – "I’m not saying I’m out of shape, but my daughter asked me to do a push-up,
and I fell asleep halfway through."
- Bo Burnham – "I’m not saying I’m broke, but my debit card gets declined at free samples."

5. Irony & Sarcasm

Saying the opposite of what you mean for comedic effect.

✅ Adds wittiness and sophistication.
❌ Can be misinterpreted as mean-spirited.

Why It Works: Theoretical Basis

Incongruity Theory: Sarcasm creates a disconnect between expectation and reality.
Pragmatic Theory (Grice, 1975): Irony relies on shared social knowledge to work.

Examples:
- Oscar Wilde – "I can resist everything except temptation."
- George Carlin – "Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist."

6. Callbacks

Referring to an earlier joke for a bigger laugh.

✅ Strengthens cohesion and audience investment.
❌ Requires careful setup and payoff.

Why It Works: Theoretical Basis

Pattern Recognition (Dehaene, 2009): Humans love recognizing patterns and feel rewarded
when recalling earlier humor.

Examples:
- Bo Burnham – Recalls a joke about Instagram later in his set as an "update."
- Kevin Hart – Uses "Alright, alright, alright" as a callback to his earlier punchlines.

Final Thoughts

- Blend multiple humor types for variety.

- Test jokes with a small audience before using them in a speech.
- Use humor to reinforce, not distract from, your main message.
- Read humor books like 'What Are You Laughing At?' by Dan O’Shannon and 'Laughter' by
Henri Bergson for deeper insights.

Vocal techniques, voice modulation, pitch and pace control, and breathing exercises are all
key elements for effective speaking, especially in public speaking or presentations. Here's a
detailed breakdown of each aspect:

1. Vocal Techniques

 Projection: Speak loudly enough so everyone in the room can hear you without
straining your voice. Avoid shouting, but use the power of your diaphragm to
project your voice.
  Resonance: Resonance refers to the richness and depth of your voice. To increase
resonance, try speaking with more warmth and less nasal sound. Think of your
voice traveling through your chest and mouth for a fuller sound.

 Articulation: Clear articulation is vital for comprehension. Practice pronouncing

words fully and clearly without slurring or mumbling.

o Tip: Try tongue twisters or slow-paced reading to improve articulation.

2. Voice Modulation

Voice modulation refers to varying the pitch, tone, and volume of your voice to maintain
audience interest and emphasize key points. Without modulation, your speech can sound
monotonous and disengaging. Here’s how to use modulation effectively:

 Pitch: Varying pitch (high vs. low) helps convey emotions and emphasize important
ideas. A high pitch can indicate excitement or surprise, while a low pitch can convey
seriousness or authority.

o Exercise: Read a passage and experiment with high and low pitches. Notice
how different pitches affect the message.

 Tone: Tone conveys the emotional quality of your message. A warm tone can be
reassuring, while a sharp tone might convey urgency or emphasis.

 Volume: Adjusting the volume for dramatic effect helps highlight specific points and
keeps the audience engaged. Speaking softly can draw the audience in, while
speaking loudly can emphasize excitement or importance.

o Exercise: Practice changing volume at different points in your speech,

focusing on creating variation without it feeling forced.

3. Pitch and Pace Control

 Pace: The speed at which you speak can affect clarity and listener engagement.
Speaking too quickly can make it hard for your audience to follow, while speaking
too slowly can make your speech feel dull. A moderate pace helps your audience
absorb the information while maintaining their attention.

o Tip: Use pauses effectively. Pauses give the audience time to process
information, build suspense, or allow your words to sink in.

 Pitch Control: Varying your pitch ensures that your speech isn’t flat. A monotonous
pitch can make it hard for the audience to stay engaged.

o Tip: Avoid speaking in a "sing-song" fashion. Instead, focus on naturally

varying pitch based on content and emotion.
Exercises for Pace and Pitch:

 Reading Aloud: Pick a passage and read it aloud at a regular pace. Then, try reading
it at different speeds. Pay attention to how your audience would react to each pace.

 Choral Speaking: Practice speaking in unison with someone else to maintain pace.
It helps train you to focus on timing.

4. Breathing Exercises for Effective Speaking

Breathing plays a crucial role in voice control and stamina. Shallow, rapid breaths can lead
to a weak or shaky voice, while deep breathing can help you sound more confident and
project your voice clearly.

 Diaphragmatic Breathing: Breathe deeply from your diaphragm, not your chest.
Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. When you breathe in,
your abdomen should expand, not your chest. This helps with controlled and
powerful voice projection.

o Exercise: Practice inhaling for a count of four, holding for four, exhaling for
four, and holding again for four. This rhythmic breathing increases lung
capacity and calms your nerves.

 Pursed-Lip Breathing: This technique helps you control your exhalation, which is
important for maintaining a steady voice. Inhale through your nose, then exhale
slowly through pursed lips, as though blowing through a straw. This increases air
control and helps maintain a calm, steady voice.

o Exercise: Inhale for 4 seconds, then exhale for 8 seconds.

 Breathing for Projection: Take a deep breath before you speak and let the air out
slowly as you talk, maintaining a steady and controlled voice. Ensure you’re not
running out of breath mid-sentence.

Additional Breathing Exercises:

 Counting Exercise: Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhale for 8
seconds while silently counting. This helps regulate breath control and can build
vocal strength.

 Sighing Exercise: Take a deep breath and exhale with a sighing sound, focusing on
relaxing your body and voice. This helps release tension in the vocal cords and
encourages a relaxed tone.

5. Additional Tips

 Posture: Good posture supports breath control. Stand tall with your shoulders
relaxed to open up your chest and make breathing easier.
  Hydration: Keep your throat hydrated to maintain vocal quality. Drink plenty of
water and avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol, as they can dry out your throat.

 Warm-Up Exercises: Just like any physical activity, warming up your voice is
essential for effective speaking. Start with humming, lip trills, or gently reading
aloud to prepare your vocal cords.

By practicing these vocal techniques, modulation strategies, and breathing exercises, you
can enhance your speaking ability, engage your audience, and convey your message with
greater impact.