Abstract

Humor can be used effectively to improve oral communication. In addition to combating dullness, it can emphasize a point, illustrate a problem, humanize the speaker or his business, build rapport, win over an audience, or defuse a tense situation. A speaker should develop a mental file of appropriate stories, one-liners, attention-getters, and quick comebacks. Problems to be concerned with are your appearance at the head table, preparation and anticipation, (non-)use of puns, timing, and endings.