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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author provides a rule to distinguish his jokes from serious statements based on legal implications.
In plain terms
If a statement sounds like it could get you sued, it is a joke.
What can you take from it?
Use obvious consequences to signal humor to the audience.

Where it applies

  • reading satire
  • writing columns
  • interpreting text

Putting it to work

  • clarify tone
  • write clearly
  • use disclaimers

Questions to consider

  • How do you signal tone in text?
  • What makes a joke obvious?

Another view

Not all readers recognize legal exaggeration as a joke.

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