According to Speaker Rich Hopkins you can use irony in your speech to create humor. Irony is when you say or do something that has the opposite effect expected. You can use two types of humorous irony:
- Aware - you or your story character are aware of the irony and deliberately say or do something that creates the opposite result or meaning (e.g., [after mentioning you pushed on the brake pedal instead of the gas pedal in your car] "So you're probably thinking, 'This guy is a genius at knowing the pedals on his car!' ")
- Unaware - you or your story character are unaware of the irony and accidentally say or do something that creates the opposite result (e.g., "I needed to stop the car so I pushed down on what I thought was the brake pedal...unfortunately, it was the gas pedal.")
Tim Wilson
Professional Speech Coach
Free speaking tips at: http://speakingquicktips.blogspot.com
