3 Principles to Master Storytelling | Shaan Puri | How I Write Podcast

Humor Techniques

Writing with humor involves more than just making people laugh; it's about enhancing the storytelling experience. Shaan Puri explains that humor should be like a sauce, not the main dish, adding flavor to the narrative without overwhelming it. He emphasizes the element of surprise in humor, where the punchline subverts expectations to create laughter 1. David Perell shares his approach of using juxtaposition to inject humor, such as describing Bible studies in a strip mall parking lot, which adds life to the piece 2.

You don't need to be the funniest, nor do you need to be the smartest. If you're pretty smart and you're kind of funny, you're like, the best.

--- Shaan Puri

This balance of intelligence and humor can make writing more engaging and relatable.

   

Humor & Depth

Humor can also be a powerful tool for adding depth to storytelling, making serious themes more accessible. David Perell recounts a sermon where humor was used to discuss moral values, making the message more memorable and engaging 3. Shaan Puri highlights the importance of framing ideas in a way that captures attention and makes them stick 3.

Memorability is massively underrated. What's the point of having the good ideas if nobody remembers them right?

--- Shaan Puri

He shares a personal story about cooking Brussels sprouts, demonstrating how even mundane experiences can be transformed into entertaining narratives that build likability and connection with the audience 4.