How to Turn a Simple Joke into Funny One

A well-placed and well-timed joke can work wonders for everything from breaking the ice to rounding out your big speech. Being able to get a small group or even a full room to laugh can also help your own confidence and alleviate anxiousness in an unfamiliar setting. Whether your goal is to add some levity to a stressful situation, or just to have a few laughs with your friends, here are a few tips on how to tell a joke.

Know the joke
It is always a little uncomfortable to watch someone say "Oh! That reminds me of this joke... but, I can't remember how it goes." Or maybe you have been trapped in the middle of a joke that the teller can't quite get through; "so this guy is in a bar, um... or was it a hotel..." Some people get very upset with the Computer Help Desk Technician on the other end of the phone when they ask, "is the computer turned on?" Many times, a ridiculously simple requirement is often overlooked. The same is true with telling a joke. Your very first priority is to know the joke.

What is important?
You have to determine what words and phrases and descriptions are vital to joke. Too many words or too much background information can cause your listener to either lose interest or get lost in the mess of words. Not enough info or description may leave them unable to understand the punch line. The more you tell a certain joke, the more you will be able to figure out what is important to tell and what is OK to leave out.

Timing, pace, and pauses
Sometimes it is unnecessary to say, "Here’s a joke," or "have you heard this one?" Most of the time, you can just start telling the joke like it is something that really happened. Sometimes an added bonus in the reaction to the joke is when the listener figures out you fooled them into thinking it was a real story and laughs even harder. The speed at which you deliver the lines also sets the mood, dictates the suspense, and sets up the payoff. A pause right before or even after the punch line can greatly increase its effect.

Customize for your audience
It is simple common sense that you will not tell an off-color joke to your pastor, or try to get a six-year-old to laugh with a political joke. It is also beneficial if you know enough about someone or a group to change details of a joke to reflect common jargon or ideas of what is funny. A joke involving a particular sports team may not be as funny to someone who is not a fan of that team or sport. Try to see if you can customize the joke to include that persons favorite team or if it translates to even a different sport.
Be confident
Just tell the joke and learn from your mistakes. The more you tell your jokes, the more confident you will be, and the more you will fine tune your delivery. Before you know it, you will be able to get laughs almost at will... no joke.
Get on the internet or go out and buy some joke books and start learning. When you hear others telling good jokes, notice their delivery. Learn which jokes to tell to which people. And have fun with it! The point after all, is laughter.