Nine-tenths of the value of a sense of humor in writing is not in the things it makes one write but in the things it keeps one from writing. It is especially valuable in this respect in serious writing, and no one without a sense of humor should ever write seriously. For without knowing what is funny, one is constantly in danger of being funny without knowing it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author argues humor is valuable in writing because it prevents unintentional silliness in serious work.
- In plain terms
- Humor helps writers avoid being accidentally funny in serious work.
- What can you take from it?
- Knowing what is funny helps you stay serious.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you keep tone serious?
- Is humor ever useful in serious work?
Another view
Serious writing can still benefit from unintentional humor.
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