Theatre & Dance ETDs

Aaron Frale

Publication Date

6-28-2010

Abstract

This dissertation is a method to label comedy with a linguistic model. Comedy is defined via an audience's laughter. The first part presents anecdotal evidence and certain factors of comedy. Time and Cultural awareness play into the understanding of comedy. Time can situate the humor in a piece of writing. Cultural understanding can unlock the laughter in a joke. The second section breaks down comedy into a linguistic model. Expression, meaning, and context are the different parts of comedy. Each part has impact on humor. An audience understanding these three parts is critical to the concept of "comedy equals a laughing audience."

Degree Name

Dramatic Writing

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Theatre & Dance

First Committee Member (Chair)

Elaine, Avila

Second Committee Member

Jim, Linnell

Third Committee Member

Greg, Martin

Language

English

Keywords

Comedy, film, linguistic model of comedy

Document Type

Dissertation

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