Your set up should be as tight and to the point as possible. It should focus on one theme or idea, as you want the story to be brief, but entertaining and easy to understand.
A twist in the story, or element of surprise, usually makes for a good punchline. Determining your punchline will help you pair down any extra details and tailor the set up so it works up to a big laugh.
Remove any extraneous words and only use adjectives when necessary. If you do use adjectives, make them interesting and attention grabbing; don’t use “big” when you could use “hulking” “gigantic” or “astronomical”.
If you are telling a story with different characters, alter and vary your voice to match a character as they talk. Avoid being monotone or mumbling in a low voice. Try to tell the story like you are telling it to a good friend. Don’t be too formal or stiff. It’s important to appear like you believe in the story you are telling. Make it your own and make it believable to your listener. Pause before the punchline to signal to the listener that they should pay attention. This will ensure they hear the punchline and hopefully, be ready for a big laugh. [2] X Research source
Your tags may build on the original punchline, or they may twist the punchline further into a new, funnier direction. Tags will help you capitalize on the momentum of the original punchline and extend the laugh or create an even bigger laugh so don’t be afraid to use them.
If you can’t tell the story in less than thirty seconds, make sure the first thirty seconds and compelling and entertaining.
Because you have practiced the story beforehand and gotten used to telling the material well, it should be easy to act like a confident storyteller.
Don’t forget to also vary your voice and pause before the punchline. As in all comedy, timing is very important and will contribute to a good telling.
Eye contact also indicates you are confident and comfortable in front of your audience.
Ideally, you want to leave the audience laughing and wanting more.
Wrap up the story with a smile and say something like: “Well, I guess you had to be there" or “I guess it really can’t be translated from the original German”. Don’t focus on the story if it doesn’t go over as well as you had hoped. The best way to recover is to laugh at yourself (even if no one else did) and move on to another topic or subject.
