Unit(s): Introduction to the Theatre/Varieties of Drama
Purpose:
To reinforce students' knowledge of what causes laughter and make them aware of comic elements in a story
Objective:
The students will identify the cause of laughter at each punch line or bit of action in a funny story.
Materials:
Short videotapes of familiar cartoons--Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Popeye, etc.
Procedure:
- Begin by defining and discussing seven causes of laughter from The Stage and the School (pp. 257-260).
A. Exaggeration
B. Incongruity
C. Anticipation
D. Ambiguity
E. Recognition
F. Protection
G. Relief- Ask students to create examples from their own imaginations or from television.
- Show them a cartoon and ask them to call out the cause of laughter for each punch line or funny action. Pause and discuss whenever necessary. Continue as time allows. (Students will want to spend about a week on this activity!)
- If desired, give the students a quiz by previewing a cartoon they haven't seen in class and developing a few questions relating to the causes of laughter at specific moments in the cartoon.