Humorous Essays (Examples)

559+ documents containing “humorous”.


Sort By:

Reset Filters

humorous writing that still makes the reader stop and think about what they are reading.
In "Would Hemingway Get Into Harvard?" The authors, John Katzman, Andy Lutz, and Erik Olson offer up a funny essay about the new SAT writing test. To "test" the test, they use two passages from two of the world's greatest writers, Ernest Hemingway and Shakespeare. Predictably, under the new SAT grading standards, both these writers would have received failing grades on the SAT. The authors are trying to make the point that the test is not a real measure of a person's writing abilities, and they do it in a very funny and yet memorable way. They definitely bring pleasure to others, because this essay is so well written you have to smile when you read it, and when you see the outcome of the test scores.

In "Technology Makes Me Mad," by Patricia Volk is….

Family in a Humorous Way
PAGES 2 WORDS 631

However, historians tell us that this is actually not the case. Certainly if one reads Dickens one finds that England of the 19th century was far from familial; some of the materials out of the American Colonial periods show that the family was mostly an iron handed parent and rather aloof father. Just as there is no such thing as an ideal family, the fact of the matter is there never was. Instead, there were some great family experiences, and some tragic ones.
The Myth of "Natural" vs. "Unnatural" -- For millennia, certain behaviors were either natural or unnatural based on the particular norms of the society in question. In certain tribes, for instance, marriage is acceptable at young ages, polygamy is part of everyday life, and homosexuality is encouraged among shamans of the tribe. The bottom line is that nothing is natural or unnatural, it is simply part of….

Not that people should make fun of their own situations, no matter how good or bad, but that humans function better when they can see the humor in every day life. When they begin to understand that humor is all around them, and begin to take themselves less seriously, they can begin to open up to the many other wonderful experiences around them when they otherwise may not have been able to. Humor is a key that unlocks a different facet existence.
All great comedians and humorists have one thing in common: they are able to take something humorous, adapt it to their current audience or context, and unite a group of people through laughter. It is this shared pleasurable experience that creates a bond between the audience and the comedian as well as between each audience member themselves. They are all sharing the same experience, and through humor, are….


Another example of scenes -- and characters -- creating both a balance and a contrast between humor and seriousness comes from the Duke and the King. These two characters appear in many scenes of the novel, and their escapades and claims are a definite source of humor (and frustration) in the novel. One of the most poignant scenes in the book, however, is one Huck sees these two finally receive their comeuppance, as each has been tarred and feathered and is being run out of town on a rail. Huck reflects on the senseless cruelty that mankind is capable of, feeling sympathy for his two former companions though they had treated he and Jim abysmally and cheated everyone else they came across, too. The fact that many of the Duke and King's actions are humorous in addition to be dastardly serves to emphasize the cruelty that they experience at the….

Humor and Violence in U S
PAGES 4 WORDS 1160

..There is reason for concern, therefore, when aggressive acts are presented in a humorous context in the media" (622).
Although it is intended to refer to society and its misdemeanor, satire cannot be considered to be offensive, since there is a small probability that it will produce any resentment in people. A good example of the American society giving birth to something that is funny and enjoyable, despite its satirical character, is Charlie Chaplin. In times when movies were something new to the American public, the English actor succeeded in making it addicted to him and to his movies. His merit is also largely owed to the scriptwriters and to the movie directors that invested hard work in making the respective movies. Even with his obvious success among the American public, there still are a number of critics believing that the characters played by Charlie Chaplin had been too vulgar for….

Loss Read P 305 Leaving
PAGES 20 WORDS 7913

" The differences in these two lines seem to be only a matter of syntax but in actuality, it also differs in the meaning. The King James Bible version makes it seem like the Lord is making the individual do something, as if by force or obligation, while the Puritan version states that the Lord causes the individual to do something, as if out of their own will. This alone relays the message that faith itself is driving the action, not a perceived obligation.
Another distinction between the two translations can be found with the lines "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: / and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (King James Bible) and "Goodness and mercy surely shall / all my days follow me. / and in the Lord's house I shall / dwell so long as days shall….

David Sedaris
The experience of learning a new language, especially at an adult age, should be both pleasant and rewarding, especially if one has the opportunity to learn it among those who are its native speakers. There is hardly something I can imagine being more pleasant than learning French in Paris. Yet, David Sedaris' essay, Me Talk Pretty One Day, presents an unfortunate experience as a beginner enrolled in a French class in a school in Paris.

Sedaris' enumeration of the places he got a discount for as a consequence of his enrolling in school is announcing a humorous story about the experience a forty-one-year-old has when going back to school to start all over again, just like a six-year-old. Since the discount tickets to puppet shows and Festyland are more appropriate for the latter kind of age, the irony of an adult of forty one still getting them is obvious.

The….

Mr Henshaw a Number of
PAGES 2 WORDS 827

Henshaw's advice. Leigh uses the knowledge he has gained through reading to make an alarm for his lunch box (an endeavor his mother comes to support, as well as his new friend Barry) and finally wins honorable mention in a story contest. The fact that Leigh chooses to do all of these things (with occasional prompting) makes the young reader more likely to feel enthusiastic about reading him or herself. Cleary's humorous examples at the beginning of the book of the resistance to reading and writing on the part of students being given 'assignments' to write book reports or write to their favorite authors shows that she knows that young readers need to discover reading for themselves, and adults cannot compel them to love reading by force.
Question 4

Leigh's parents are lower-middle class and divorced. Leigh and his mother live in a mobile home, and Leigh's father is a truck….

Lesson 3 Journal Entry
PAGES 4 WORDS 1160


Do you disagree with any of Pope's opinions or pronouncements in the Heroic Couplets or "An Essay on Man"?

Pope is critical of individuals who "cry, if man's unhappy, God's unjust," suggesting that the unhappiest people are people who blame God, rather than themselves for all of their troubles, or who curse God because their lives are imperfect. The need to accept life's imperfections while still working to enact positive changes within the limitations of humanity is a positive message still relevant for people today.

Based on what you have read of "The Rape of the Lock," what do you think the poem's theme or central message is? What or who are the objects of his satire? Does the epic, "The Rape of the Lock" apply in any way to society today? Identify two passages that could serve as satiric commentaries on people's behavior today. Your answer should discuss both the passage….

Book Rain of Gold
PAGES 2 WORDS 787

Villasenor, Victor. Rain of Gold, 1991.
What time period does this book cover? What historical events are referenced in the story?

The book takes the reader through three generations of a Mexican-American family, beginning with the early part of the 20th century, chronicling the Mexican Revolution to the end of Prohibition. As it is a memoir, it also contains references of the author's present day.

Describe and compare the birthplaces of both Victor's mother and his father? What unusual event took place when Lupe was conceived?

Juan Salvador was born in Mexico but soon fled the nation because of the revolution. When he was a child, he found himself going to work in the mines of Arizona. Lupe was born in a mine in Mexico, where significantly gold was discovered.

Who was Lupe's first love and why? How young was she when she met him?

Lupe was still a schoolgirl when she grew enamored with her….

Humor and Health:
The evolutionary benefits of laughing easily

According to Mora-ipoli (2012), the old cliche that laughter is the best medicine is really true: laughter, even in the absence of something that is funny, can actually be healing. "Laughter can lead to direct physiological changes to the muscular, cardiovascular, immune, and neuroendocrine systems, which would have immediate or long-term beneficial effects to the body" (Mora-ipoli 2013:57). Although humor can provoke laughter, the two are not necessarily conjoined and even forced laughter produces positive physiological changes in the body in terms of heart rate, blood pressure, and other critical factors that have benefits for the subject. This suggests that laughter is not a cultural product but an advantageous biological 'adaption' of the human species as a social animal.

The unique benefits of laughter (as opposed to humor or enjoying something entertaining) are tied to its mutuality. Although it is certainly possible to laugh….

Power of Imagery Explored in
PAGES 10 WORDS 3415


This poem is a favorite of mine because it reminds me to slow down and appreciate everything. It does not take long nor does it take much to renew and revive and that is exactly what the poet wishes to communicate.

In Joy Harjo's "Remember," the poet uses imagery and personification to convey points of importance. Because the poet is encouraging someone to remember, she pulls images from experience that will be familiar. She begins by telling the reader to "Remember the sky" (Harjo 1) and to "know each of the star stories" (2). In addition, it is important to know the moon. The poet wants to use images the reader already knows and identifies with in order to stress the importance of connecting with the earth. The importance of remembering one's parents is also important because we are all connected. She tells the reader to remember the "earth whose skin….

What does this have to do with the rest of paragraph 27?
The individual and the institution of the state cannot flourish when their interests are in competition: one of the 'seeds' must die.

33. In this paragraph, Thoreau talks about how he sees his neighbors in a new light after his night in jail.

After suffering the loss of his liberty, he sees how little his neighbors are willing to risk of their own security to see justice done.

Paraphrase each of these observations:

a. "I saw to what extent the people among whom I lived could be trusted as good neighbors and friends;"

I saw that the people amongst whom I lived were good in name only -- they spoke about the value of justice, but would not lift a finger to do promote justice.

b. "that their friendship was for summer weather only;"

They did good deeds only when it was convenient for them….


I am amused when I remember my first dance lesson, and the pressure I felt until then because I was practically afraid of interacting with people I did not know. Gradually I learnt that my fear had not been justified and I even became a very sociable person thanks to the fact that I entered the world of break dancing. Not only did I learn how to dance consequent to having become accustomed with this new style of living, but I have also learnt how motivation can be a great helper in any situation. In addition to constantly improving my dance techniques, I also began to get better grades and to become more interested in accumulating information.

It is very probable that break dancing has also gotten me to apply and to be accepted at the University of California San Diego's California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS). The….

LENARD VS. PEPSI
In general, the valid elements of a valid and enforceable contract are (1) offer, (2) acceptance, (3) specificity, and (4) meeting of the minds. The Honorable Mayor's plan is extremely dangerous because it could very conceivably be interpreted as an enforceable contract to auction the town on Ebay. In principle, placing the town for auction on Ebay would satisfy all of the elements of a valid contract susceptible to a demand for specific performance in the event of a winning bid by a specific bidder who complies with the applicable rules established by Ebay.

That is because the objective theory of contracts holds that the validity of contractual agreements is not determined by what is actually (or subjectively) in the respective minds of the parties involved; rather, contractual validity is determined by the reasonable (i.e. objective) interpretation of the external circumstances, acts, and statements of the parties involved in….

image
2 Pages
Term Paper

Literature

Humorous Writing That Still Makes the Reader

Words: 667
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Term Paper

humorous writing that still makes the reader stop and think about what they are reading. In "Would Hemingway Get Into Harvard?" The authors, John Katzman, Andy Lutz, and Erik…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Research Paper

Family and Marriage

Family in a Humorous Way

Words: 631
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Research Paper

However, historians tell us that this is actually not the case. Certainly if one reads Dickens one finds that England of the 19th century was far from familial;…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Essay

Sociology

Reach Your Goals With Humor

Words: 578
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Not that people should make fun of their own situations, no matter how good or bad, but that humans function better when they can see the humor in…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Essay

Literature

Humor in the Adventures of

Words: 579
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Another example of scenes -- and characters -- creating both a balance and a contrast between humor and seriousness comes from the Duke and the King. These two characters…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
4 Pages
Research Proposal

Film

Humor and Violence in U S

Words: 1160
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Research Proposal

..There is reason for concern, therefore, when aggressive acts are presented in a humorous context in the media" (622). Although it is intended to refer to society and its misdemeanor,…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
20 Pages
Essay

Mythology - Religion

Loss Read P 305 Leaving

Words: 7913
Length: 20 Pages
Type: Essay

" The differences in these two lines seem to be only a matter of syntax but in actuality, it also differs in the meaning. The King James Bible version…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Term Paper

Teaching

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Words: 618
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Term Paper

David Sedaris The experience of learning a new language, especially at an adult age, should be both pleasant and rewarding, especially if one has the opportunity to learn it…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Thesis

Literature

Mr Henshaw a Number of

Words: 827
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Thesis

Henshaw's advice. Leigh uses the knowledge he has gained through reading to make an alarm for his lunch box (an endeavor his mother comes to support, as well…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
4 Pages
Term Paper

Literature

Lesson 3 Journal Entry

Words: 1160
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Do you disagree with any of Pope's opinions or pronouncements in the Heroic Couplets or "An Essay on Man"? Pope is critical of individuals who "cry, if man's unhappy, God's…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Term Paper

Sports - Women

Book Rain of Gold

Words: 787
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Villasenor, Victor. Rain of Gold, 1991. What time period does this book cover? What historical events are referenced in the story? The book takes the reader through three generations of a…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
4 Pages
Essay

Psychology

Humor and Health The Evolutionary Benefits of

Words: 1435
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Essay

Humor and Health: The evolutionary benefits of laughing easily According to Mora-ipoli (2012), the old cliche that laughter is the best medicine is really true: laughter, even in the absence of…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
10 Pages
Term Paper

Literature

Power of Imagery Explored in

Words: 3415
Length: 10 Pages
Type: Term Paper

This poem is a favorite of mine because it reminds me to slow down and appreciate everything. It does not take long nor does it take much to renew…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
5 Pages
Thesis

Government

Thoreau Says Government Is at

Words: 2152
Length: 5 Pages
Type: Thesis

What does this have to do with the rest of paragraph 27? The individual and the institution of the state cannot flourish when their interests are in competition: one…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Research Proposal

Teaching

Academic Interests Personal Perspectives and

Words: 691
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Research Proposal

I am amused when I remember my first dance lesson, and the pressure I felt until then because I was practically afraid of interacting with people I did not…

Read Full Paper  ❯
image
2 Pages
Essay

Business

Leonard vs Pepsi in General the Valid

Words: 593
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

LENARD VS. PEPSI In general, the valid elements of a valid and enforceable contract are (1) offer, (2) acceptance, (3) specificity, and (4) meeting of the minds. The Honorable Mayor's…

Read Full Paper  ❯