- 1). Think of a strong set up. This is much like writing a standard two-line stand-up or monologue joke. If you are lacking in ideas, consider reading the newspaper and trying to pull something out of the headlines.
- 2). Ponder the irony in the set up. What is it that is funny? Can you heighten the set up to the absurd? Can you play with a character in the set up and put him or her in a fish-out-of-water scenario?
- 3). Write the punch. This should take the ironic idea you thought of and put it into action, whether it is words or physical action.
- 4). Read the whole piece out loud. It should be short, no more than a minute. Does it flow well? Does the punch seem like a natural ending to the sketch?
- 5). Find actors to do a reading of your sketch. Watch it and take notes. Is it funny? Is it too long? What works and what doesn't?
- 6). Edit your sketch based on your notes.
- 7). Create a final copy of your sketch. You just wrote a blackout sketch.
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