Elements of Humor

When things are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings

• incongruity

• role reversal

• juxtaposition

• satire

placing 2 or more things side by side often to compare/contrast OR to create an interesting effect

• incongruity

• juxtaposition

• role reversal

• situational irony

refers to the type of humor that is focused primarily on characters, dialogue, or ideas- satire for example

• low comedy

• high comedy

refers to the type of humor that is focused primarily on the situation or series of events- slapstick for example

• high comedy

• low comedy

There was a little boy who never spoke a word in his entire life. One day, while having dinner, he was sitting with his family at the table. All of the sudden, he exclaimed, "This steak stinks!" His parents almost fell over and cried out, "Why haven't you said anything before?" Their son replied, "So far the food I have tasted has been pretty good."

• This is an example of incongruity.

• This is an example of role reversal.

• This political cartoon is an example of incongruity.

• This political cartoon is an example of role reversal.

• This political cartoon is an example of ridicule.

• This political cartoon is an example of exaggeration.

An administrative assistant dictates what the company president decides and does.

• This is an example of juxtaposition.

• This is an example of incongruity.

• This is an example of dramatic irony.

• This is an example of role reversal.

• This is an example of incongruity.

• This is an example of juxtaposition.

• This is an example of role reversal.

• This is an example of situational irony.

"All’s fair in love and war."

• This quote is an example of juxtaposition.

• This quote is an example of low comedy.

• This quote is an example of role reversal.

• This quote is an example of situational irony.

"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

• This is an example of verbal irony.

• This is an example of juxtaposition.

• This is an example of role reversal.

• This is an example of incongruity.