Different people follow different 

paths.  At one point, I did 

stand-up comedy and here are the 

steps I saw a lot of comedians 

take: 

1. Start writing a comedy routine. 

This means a series of 

"setup / punchlines." Pick some 

topics you have ideas on and 

start writing. 

BTW, setup means the information 

that a person needs to get the 

joke. Punchline is the line that 

triggers the laughter. The setup 

takes our mind in one direction 

and then the punchline will take 

us to an incongruent conclusion. 

Each topic may have an overall setup followed by a 

punchline, then three or four short setups followed 

by multiple punchlines. Once you've written some comedy, 

deliver it to your friends and see if you get laughs. 

Then keep what gets laughs and toss the rest. Go back 

to writing more comedy. Test. Write more. Etc. 

2. Get some books on comedy. 

Here's a few that explain different ways to  

write setup / punchline comedy.  

Stand-Up Comedy: The Book by Judy Carter   

http://www.amazon.com/Stand-Up-Comedy-Book-Judy-Carter/dp/0440502438/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205646998&sr=8-6  

Comedy Writing Secrets  by Melvin Helizer  

http://www.amazon.com/Comedy-Writing-Secrets-Melvin-Helitzer/dp/0898795109/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205647087&sr=8-2   

3.  Start analyzing the structure of stand-up 

comedy videos.  Once you understand how to 

write comedy, you'll see every stand-up 

comic using the comedy structures you've 

learned.  Start analyzing them.    

Most people have never communicated in 

setup / punchline, so it will seem odd at 

first.  But when you Richard Pryor, Robin 

Williams, Rodney Dangerfield, Chris Rock, 

and Sarah Silverman using these skills, it 

will all make more sense.   

4.  Attend classes on comedy.  

Usually, a local community college or Learning 

Annex will have a class on comedy.  That gives 

you a chance to learn in an environment of 

beginners and get some feedback.      

5.  Attend "Open mic nights" at a local comedy 

club.  

Check with the comedy clubs in your area.  Many 

of them have an open mic night on Sunday or 

Monday night.  This is the time when amateur 

comedians get 5 minutes on stage in front of 

a live audience.    It is a great time to test 

comedy and get your timing down.  It is also a 

chance to get comfortable on stage.     

6.  Get a comedy coach.  

Once you have your feet wet, call the local 

comedy clubs and see if they know of a comedy 

coach in the area.  Chances are that they do.    

A comedy coach will direct you on your delivery, 

critique your setups and punchlines, help you 

prepare for auditions, etc.     

7.  Start auditioning.  

Once you've done all of the above and have a 

15 minute routine with 60 - 90 punchlines that 

work, it is time to get in front of club owners 

for auditions.    Usually, this means that you 

call the club owner and do your set at their 

open mic night with the owner in the audience.  

If you've done your preparation, you'll probably 

do a second audition in front of their regular 

evening audience.  If both of those work, you're

in.   

Learning comedy can be quite an adventure.  

Have fun with it.    

Hal