Your headline should be the "anchor" for your humor. It should clearly communicate the funny idea without being overly clunky or cryptic.
: List two serious items followed by a third, ridiculous one to subvert expectations. Gag Humor
: Exaggerate internal thoughts or embarrassing situations for comic effect. Your headline should be the "anchor" for your humor
: Bizarre or harebrained headlines often perform better. Gag Humor
: Instead of "The River," try something like "A Guinea Pig Became a Father to 400 After Breaking Into a Female Enclosure".
: Remove any jokes that feel forced or out of character for the piece.
: Hard consonant sounds (like "spork") or quirky, specific details are often funnier than generic ones. 4. Common Pitfalls to Avoid