He is the retired Emeritus Professor of Communication at the University of Michigan, where he also served for ten years as a department chairman. He spent a year in England as a Fulbright scholar, and he has authored or co-authored five books about television and radio.
How to be Funny on Purpose: An Anatomy of Humor
by Edgar E. Willis
For centuries illustrious thinkers have speculated about what inspires the beguiling and uplifting sound of laughter. With their ideas in mind, Edgar Willis takes an innovative and sometimes startling approach to the subject. Its key element is a precise and practical set of instructions for turning the momentary flicker of an idea into a full-fledged and funny joke. He provides further enrichment with lively discussions of such relevant topics as: good jokes and bad ones, the often hilarious consequences of unintended humor, and the perils of being funny. Richard L. Weaver II adds informed insights into using the Internet to find and develop jokes. The result is a book of extraordinary reach and dimension. The tone is erudite without being stuffy. He uses hundreds of jokes to illustrate techniques of joke making and shares anecdotes about his adventures and misadventures with humor. The probing analysis of humor’s complexities will challenge your capacity to perceive and understand. The value of this book to aspiring humorists is obvious. It can also guide teachers, preachers, and public speakers into using humor to add zest and attention-holding power to their presentations. Most importantly it can amplify the response and sharpen the appreciation of people who relish hearing funny stories, and that includes almost everyone. They have laughed at jokes before, but having read this book, they will laugh louder, for now they will know why they are laughing.
Rave Reviews for “How to be Funny on Purpose”
Ronald Reagan would have loved this book. This is a wonderful adventure through the history of humor. It is a primer on how jokes are created and how to deliver them. How to be Funny on Purpose is an insightful perspective on the essence of comedy in our lives.
Darrell Trent, United States Ambassador – Acting Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan
A great read! Dr. Willis puts humor in perspective and has presented us with a book that is informative, educational, and witty. Readers will learn about the history of humor and, more importantly, how to use it both business and social situations. It’s a win-win winner.
Major H. Stuart Knight – Director (Ret.), United States Secret Service
Should be on every Toastmaster’s shelf… How to be Funny on Purpose,, with it’s analysis of humor, many humor devices, and numerous examples from professional funny men and women, is a combination reference and how-to book. In Toastmasters International we know that our speeches are greatly enhanced with a sprinkling of humor. This is a complete book on humor for lay humorists, professionals, and non-speechmakers as well, and it will help everyone put more humor in their lives… on purpose.
Muriel Nicewonder, Former Division Governor, District #28 – Toastmasters International, Mission Viejo, CA
