Do You Talk Funny

Welcome to my Do You Talk Funny book summary!

“The root of every good joke really is the surprise element, the punch line.” (p. 60)

One-Sentence-Summary: Funny people do better in life, and whether you’re preparing for a stand-up comedy show, TEDx talk, or even a business presentation in front of colleagues, Do You Talk Funny will prepare you.

“Ten percent of life is what happens to you, while 90 percent is what you make happen.” (p. 164)

I’m finished reading Do You Talk Funny by David Nihill.

booboo real-time book rating: ★★★★☆ (percentage of books with this rating: 34%)

The memory place I always thought of as an actual imaginary palace you constructed in your memory, but in fact, it should be a place in real life that you’re already familiar with. That makes more sense. And you need to have a route through the house that is consistent. Then identify specific storage locations. The memory palace trick can help you memorize a stand up comedy routine.

On Stage Fright or Approach Anxiety

“This is my body’s way to telling me that it is ready. The thought of negative consequences triggers glands to secret the hormone ACTH. This hormone results in the release of adrenaline into your blood, and that’s what causes these uncomfortable feelings. This is essentially your body’s most alert and heightened state. It means you’re ready. You want to focus on emracing this feeling. When you feel it, be happy. It means your body is in its peak condition to face a challenging or worrying situation.” (p. 104-5)

Whether it’s walking in front of a crowd or approaching a pretty woman, in these situations, you might be many things, but you are most definitely not lethargic or tied. You are ready for action and fully awake and conscious. It also means your body is healthy because if it weren’t, you would not feel these animated emotions.

Funny or Speaking Tips

1. Use Callbacks
2. Always write in the present tense
3. Use inherently funny words
4. Start strong; the first 30 seconds
5. “..acknowledging the obvious often provides an opportunity to get a quick and early laugh. If you’re visibly nervous, have a fresh strain on your shirt or if there’s anything unusual about you physically – anything that the audience might fixate on at the start – now is the time to address it, get a laugh, and move on so the audience can focus.” (p. 116)
6. “Try to introduce yourself to as many people in the room as possible before you start to speak.” (p. 119)
7. “Remember to smile. Make eye contact with as many people as you can.” (p. 120)
8. “..always wear dark colors and fabrics that don’t show seat patches on stage.” (p. 122)
9. Always provide your own introduction.
10. Don’t do Q&A at the end. Take a few questions before your conclusion where you will share a slide with your main points.
11. If you are the MC, only reveal the speaker’s name as the last two words of your intro.

When you finish your talk, simply say ‘thank you.’

You are reading my book review and summary by David Nihill. Be sure to check out my digital bookshelf for 100+ book summaries.

Tipliography at the very end of the book is like a bibliography, but with 80 comedy tips.

“The brain doesn’t pay attention to boring things.” – John Medina

Did you know I’m an author? I wrote four books on real estate investing, travel, and language learning.

New Words!

Pyrrhic – won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victo

Thanks for visiting and thanks to David Nihill for writing Do You Talk Funny!