A comedic device is used in comedy to write humor in a common structure. They can become so common that they are difficult for writers to use without being perceived as cheesy.

List of comedic devices

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Double entendre

A double entendre is a spoken phrase can be understood in either of two ways. The first, literal meaning is an innocent one, while the second meaning is often ironic or risqué and requires the hearer to have some additional knowledge.

Hyperbole

A hyperbole is a figure of speech in which statements are exaggerated or extravagant. It may be used due to strong feelings or is used to create a strong impression and is not meant to be taken literally.

Mistaken identity

The mistaken identity of twins is a centuries old comedic device used by Shakespeare in several of his works. The mistake can be either an intended act of deception or an accident. Modern examples include The Parent Trap, The Trouble with Cats and Dogs, Sister, Sister and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Monocle

It is a popular perception that the monocle can easily fall off with the wrong facial expression. As a comedic device, an upper-class gentleman drops his monocle when he makes a shocked expression. The monocle falls into the gentleman's drink, smashes into pieces on the floor, etc.

Prank call

A prank call is a form of practical joke committed over the telephone. Prank calls range from annoying hang-ups to false calls to emergency services or bomb threats.

Pun

A pun consists of a deliberate confusion of similar words or phrases for humorous effect, whether humorous or serious. A pun can rely on the assumed equivalency of multiple similar words (homonymy), of different shades of meaning of one word (polysemy), or of a literal meaning with a metaphor. Bad puns are often considered to be cheesy.

Slapstick

Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated physical violence. Slapstick was heavily used by Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, the Keystone Kops, the Three Stooges. Slapstick is also common in animated cartoons such as Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes.

See also

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• Joke

External links

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• Classroom connections – describes mistaken twins as a comedic device
• Comic Devices and Conventions – analysis of comedic devices used in The Swaggering Soldier