How to Use Humor in Public Speaking

ElevatEd
Public-Speaking
April 2, 2025

Public speaking is stressful, but humor can help the audience, lighten the mood, and make your speech more engaging. A witty remark or a well-placed joke at the right time can make your speech more engaging. Regardless of age, using a comic section effectively requires the presence of mind and good practice. It is a great skill set.

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In this blog, understand why a joke is crucial in public speaking and how you can incorporate it. Also, the best ways to ensure your humor resonates with your audience.

Why Use Humor in Public Speaking?

Humor offers several benefits in public speaking:

Captures Attention: People are busy today, hence they have short attention time, and humor instantly grabs their attention.
Makes You Relatable: A person who can make you laugh can become more dear, and people see him as more approachable and authentic.
Eases Tension: Humor in your delivery relaxes tension and makes you more lovable.
Enhances Message Retention: People remember information much better when it is delivered in a fun and engaging way.
Encourages Audience Participation: Laughter builds you as an influencer, making your audience more engaged and responsive.

How to Include Humor?

Types of Humor You Can Use in Public Speaking

Not all humor is equal; understanding different types of can help you build confidence. Below are some examples :

1. Self-Deprecating Humor

When you are in power, making fun of yourself can help you be more relatable. However, remember not to jeopardize your credibility. For Example: I tried practicing making a painting of my dog this morning, but it turned into a furry cat. I think my painting skills need more practice.

2. Observational Humor

It is practicing sharing ordinary experiences in a comedy speech that others might relate to. For Example: Have you ever noticed how women talk about holding their breath when using a public restroom? That will guard them from the germs. 😂

3. Humorous Storytelling

A well-shared funny story may help to make your talk both amusing and relevant. For instance: I once read a book on time management, but I never finished it due to lack of time.

4. Play on Words

Punning can give a good deal of humor, but to prevent being repetitive, it should be used sparingly. For example: I wanted to know how to play the piano, but it didn't quite click with me.

5. Callbacks

Whether you refer to something amusing you or someone else said in the speech before, will help you to keep the humor engaging and ongoing. Example: If you teased before about your friend sleeping through your talk, you later say, "I merely hope you stay up longer than my friend did." Reciprocate so people try to focus on what you are sharing.

6. Exaggeration

Blowing things out of proportion in a humorous fashion can help to emphasize your point. For instance: My morning coffee is so strong; that I'm fairly certain it could drive a little spacecraft.

Best Practices for Using Humor in Public Speaking

To ensure your humor lands well with your audience, follow these best practices:

1.Know your audience

Every audience does not appreciate every kind of humor. Match your humor to the age, origin, and interests of your audience. Avoid inside jokes or cultural references that people might not grasp or shatter your intelligence among your audience. Use humor that relates most to the audience and most people can relate to in the room.

2. Stay Positive and Light

Avoid political humor, off-colour jokes, or anything else that might distance your viewers. Stay away from jokes based on stereotypes, sarcasm, or unkind humor. Add humor that employs lighthearted, unoffensive humor that serves to unite rather than split.

3. Time your humor properly

Timing is everything in comedy. If you don’t give your audience time to respond before you go on they will certainly lose interest in your content. Give people time to chuckle by not going too fast on a joke. Work on your timing until you know when to stop and allow the joke to land.

4. Support your delivery with humor

Your humor should serve speech a purpose. Don't crack jokes about anything connected to your subject. Do include funny material that supports your core message.

5. Exercise, but keep it natural

Practice your humor, but try not to come off extra prepared. Avoid memorizing jokes word-for-word artificially. Regularly work on skills until your jokes come across naturally.

6. Be Ready for Quiet

Not every humor will hit, especially when you are new for sure not. Don't stress if a joke goes over badly just go on with the topic. Repeating the joke or attempting to clarify it. Grin and keep on boldly as if nothing occurred.

In public speaking, laughter is a powerful weapon that helps you to form a relationship with your audience, make your message more unforgettable, and provide a pleasant experience. Knowing your audience, using a comic aspect softly and appropriately, and honing your delivery will allow you to improve your speech and have a lasting influence. So, next time you take the stage, do not be afraid to include some humor; it might well be the key to a wonderful address!

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FAQs

Q1: What should I do if a joke does not land well?

Ans: Stay composed and move on. A simple smile ☺️ or a joke on yourself, for example: at least I smiled when I was rehearsing this part on my phone.

Q2: Can Humor help my kids in school presentations?

Ans: Absolutely, a comic aspect helps classroom, speeches more interesting and makes children likable among other students. 98th percentile integrates humor in their public speaking courses to make public speaking an enjoyable course for kids.

Q3: What should a child do if a joke doesn't work?

Ans: Stay confident and move on! A simple response like: Oh crap! That joke sounded better in my sports class! It will help lighten the moment. We teach children how to handle such situations gracefully and keep their conversation going.