📆 Your joke writing challenge topic for today is Diet Trends.
Cracking the Comedy Code: Learning from Dan Harmon’s Storytelling Techniques
Looking for some comedy inspiration? Here’s an exploration of Dan Harmon’s unique approach to storytelling and humor using the show “HarmonQuest.” The following are some key learning points you can take away from the show:
😏 TAKE THE QUIZ BELOW
- Storytelling is a Practiceable Skill: As seen with Harmon’s work, storytelling is a skill you can continuously improve upon until it becomes instinct. This can be especially helpful when you’re writing your stand up comedy routine.
- Focus on Compelling Content, not Just Comedy: Harmon and his co-hosts do an excellent job of not just trying to be funnier but also focusing on how to make the show more compelling. This creates a multi-layered comedic experience that draws viewers in.
- Incorporate Character Development: By focusing on character development, Harmon elevates the typical Dungeons & Dragons game experience from simple monster-hacking to complex narrative arcs about overcoming personal flaws. This can be a game-changer in your stand up comedy class.
- The Importance of Weakness in Characters: The show demonstrates the value of character weakness in creating dramatic tension and narrative arcs. This principle can be harnessed in comedy writing to create deeper, more relatable humor.
- Plan for Story Arcs: While the show’s premise is improvisational, a conscious decision was made to plan for story arcs. This could be a great lesson for those honing their comedy craft – a mix of structured narrative and improv can make your act more engaging.
- Natural Storytelling Comes with Practice: As Harmon has demonstrated, with sufficient practice and experience, hitting the key beats of storytelling can become instinctive. This can be incredibly beneficial when you’re writing and performing stand-up comedy.
- Exploration of Character Backstories: Harmon’s insistence on exploring character backstories adds another layer of depth to the comedy. This can be a useful technique to adopt in your comedy writing.
Remember, effective storytelling can enhance the impact of your comedy. So keep practicing, keep laughing, and keep creating compelling narratives to tickle your audience’s funny bone! And if you need more inspiration, consider watching HarmonQuest or listen to Dan Harmon’s podcast, Harmontown.
For more tips on mastering your stand-up comedy class, keep an eye on our blog. Happy laughing and learning!
Time Left:
00
:
30 :
00
HRS
MIN
SEC
Time Spent: %%TIMESPENT%%
Time expired. Sorry, you will not be able to continue with this quiz. Please opt-in to see the result.
SEC
HRS
MIN
SEC
SEC
Total Time
[SQBTimeSpent]
0
HRS
0
MIN
0
SEC
Take The Quiz
After watching the video, take this quiz to check your knowledge.
START
First up, what should we call you?
OK
1%
According to Dan Harmon's approach, when does storytelling become natural?
Enter any additional information about the quiz
With enough practice and experience.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsImmediately, as soon as you start writing.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsOnly after reading a lot of books about storytelling.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsOnly if you're born with the talent.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsBack
Continue
In the context of the show "HarmonQuest," what is the importance of character weakness?
Enter any additional information about the quiz
It adds dramatic tension and creates a narrative arc.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsIt's irrelevant to the narrative.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsIt decreases the quality of the storyline.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsIt's a source of humor.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsBack
Continue
What does Dan Harmon focus on to elevate the comedic experience in "HarmonQuest"?
Enter any additional information about the quiz
- He focuses on making the game as complex as possible.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsHe only focuses on humor.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsHe pays particular attention to compelling content and character development.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsHe focuses on the fantasy setting.
A text area will be displayed in the frontend when users select this answer.
Add RecommendationAdd TagsView All Assigned TagsBack
Continue
%%QUESTIONANSWERS%%
You got a score of %%YOURSCORE%% out of %%TOTALSCORE%%
Total Time =
[SQBTimeSpent]
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s.
Continue
%%CATEGORY_TOTAL_PERCENT%%
%%CATEGORY_TOTAL_NUMBER%%
[CATEGORY_TOTAL_PERCENT]
[CATEGORY_TOTAL_NUMBER]
You got a score of %%YOURSCORE%% out of %%TOTALSCORE%%
Total Time =
[SQBTimeSpent]
Continue
%%CATEGORY_TOTAL_PERCENT%%
%%CATEGORY_TOTAL_NUMBER%%
[CATEGORY_TOTAL_PERCENT]
[CATEGORY_TOTAL_NUMBER]
You got a score of %%YOURSCORE%% out of %%TOTALSCORE%%
Total Time =
[SQBTimeSpent]
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s.
Continue
%%CATEGORY_TOTAL_PERCENT%%
%%CATEGORY_TOTAL_NUMBER%%
[CATEGORY_TOTAL_PERCENT]
[CATEGORY_TOTAL_NUMBER]
You got a score of %%YOURSCORE%% out of %%TOTALSCORE%%
Total Time =
[SQBTimeSpent]
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s.
Continue
%%CATEGORY_TOTAL_PERCENT%%
%%CATEGORY_TOTAL_NUMBER%%
[CATEGORY_TOTAL_PERCENT]
[CATEGORY_TOTAL_NUMBER]
%%FIRST_NAME%% Way to go 🎉! Keep going! 💪🏆
Retake
YOUR TOTAL POINTS
0
LEADERBOARD
Did you earn yourself a spot on the leaderboard?
Look at the chart below to find out!
Rank | Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Padovano | 30/30 |
| 2 | Robert | 30/30 |
| 3 | Carla Ulbrich | 20/20 |
| 4 | Cathy Comedie | 20/20 |
| 5 | Alan Salzbank | 20/20 |
| 6 | [email protected] | 20/20 |
| 7 | Jane Joan Costagliola | 20/20 |
