Comments on: Should I tell jokes at the beginning of the speech to loosen up the audience? http://www.tjwalker.com/2008/04/15/should-i-tell-jokes-at-the-beginning-of-the-speech-to-loosen-up-the-audience/ Speaking Excellence Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:44:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Terry Gault http://www.tjwalker.com/2008/04/15/should-i-tell-jokes-at-the-beginning-of-the-speech-to-loosen-up-the-audience/#comment-162 Terry Gault Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:35:37 +0000 http://www.tjwalker.com/2008/04/15/should-i-tell-jokes-at-the-beginning-of-the-speech-to-loosen-up-the-audience/#comment-162 I'm going to have to disagree with this post, but before I do I should clearly differentiate between humor and jokes. Humor usually occurs when telling stories, revealing one's foibles or spontaneously from what's happening in the moment. I ALWAYS encourage clients to include humor. Jokes should not be attempted unless the speaker can consistently make people life in conversation AND the joke is clearly related and connected to the topic. After all, there is only one criterion for success. And if it bombs, everyone in the room knows it. I’m going to have to disagree with this post, but before I do I should clearly differentiate between humor and jokes.

Humor usually occurs when telling stories, revealing one’s foibles or
spontaneously from what’s happening in the moment. I ALWAYS encourage clients to include humor.

Jokes should not be attempted unless the speaker can consistently make
people life in conversation AND the joke is clearly related and connected to
the topic. After all, there is only one criterion for success. And if it
bombs, everyone in the room knows it.

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