I don’t think that humor is
essential for effective travel writing. I think humor is a nice tool to break
the seriousness in a piece of travel writing. I think if executed successfully humor
can make a piece more relatable. However, with humor I think the author should
tread intellectually, for if humor is used in the wrong way it may be offensive
to a group of people or even the reader.
I think self-deprecating humor is
one of the more successful of humor styles. I feel that this is a safer way of
humor to go. How harmful is it to poke fun at one’s self? This is one of my
favorite styles of humor. I think it allows the reader to better get to know the
author also. I think poking fun at a culture or country could come across not
as funny or appropriate. I suppose the topic of which you are trying to
incorporate humor in would have to be assessed.
I think humor when used in travel
writing might take away from the overall writing. At times humor is extremely
situational. Have you ever told the funniest story to someone? And you are the
only one laughing, so you have to reply. “I guess you just had to be there.” I
think this might be the case for many of travel experiences. Unless you are a
very good writer and convey humor successfully. Although, I guess it would be a
little dry reading anything without some sort of comedic break.
As you can tell by reading this
journal entry, I am a little conflicted with my thoughts on this topic. I feel
that my humor would be situational humor and hard for others to find humorous.
Although, looking back on some of my journeys, I do have some situations that
could evoke a laugh or two out of people.
Brody, I like how you went against most of the people saying that humor is not essential. The point you made about treading intellectually is a great point. I did make a comment about that in my journal. I feel like some lines could be crossed and that is why you should tread intellectually. I also believe that it is a good break from a serious travel piece.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more with your first paragraph. Writers need to be really smart in their use of humor. I like that you point out that making fun of oneself is not very harmful. And I do agree that when the author makes fun of him or herself it makes it seem like you know them better. I tend to have this picture of stuffy, old men writing. But when they throw in a comment like that in regard to them, it reminds me that they probably don’t fit into that picture. I am in the same boat as you, I’m conflicted as to whether or not humor is appropriate. There are so many factors that really do make it situational.
ReplyDeleteBrody,
ReplyDeleteI like how you were conflicted on this topic. I wrote my blog strongly supporting humor but in reading over some other blogs, I'm beginning to see both sides well. I agree that self-deprecating humor is probably the safest and most effective type of humor to use not only in writing but in everyday conversation. Situational would be much harder to use in writing, as there would have to be a lot of back story leading up to the joke in order for the reader to understand. Also it is not lost on me that you used a little situational humor in the title of this piece. Thanks for the laugh!
Humor is great when traveling, when people travel they hope to God there is going to be some time of humor. You made great points in your journal about how humor is needed.
ReplyDelete