If you’re reading this thinking, “This post will make me the next humorous speech champion,” stop right there. I’m not here to hand you a magic formula for victory. But if you’re curious about what makes a humorous speech tick—and how to avoid sounding like a knock-off stand-up comic—keep reading.
Breaking It Down: Humorous. Speech. Contest.
Contest
A contest isn’t just about crushing your competitors like a bug under your shoe. It’s about showing up as your best self. Think of it as a gym for your brain—except instead of lifting weights, you’re lifting spirits. Winning requires effort, creativity, and a dash of innovation. And yes, losing gracefully is also an art.
Pro Tip: If you lose, just say, “I was saving my best jokes for next year.”
Speech
There are four main delivery styles:
- Impromptu: Great for quick thinking, terrible for your blood pressure.
- Manuscript: Reading word-for-word? Congratulations, you’ve invented bedtime stories for adults.
- Memorized: Risky—because nothing kills humor faster than a speaker panicking mid-punchline.
- Extemporaneous: The gold standard. Prepared but flexible, like yoga for your words.
Remember: A humorous speech isn’t stand-up comedy. It needs structure, purpose, and a message. If your speech is just a string of jokes, you’re not a Toastmaster—you’re a meme generator.
Humorous
Humor is like seasoning: too little, and your speech is bland; too much, and people choke. There are 26 types of humor (yes, someone counted), but don’t worry—I won’t list them all. Instead, here’s a tip: humor works best when it’s relatable. If your joke needs a footnote, it’s not funny—it’s a TED Talk.
Three Tips to Add Humor Without Forcing It
- Twist the Obvious
Instead of saying:
“My last job was chaotic,”
try:
“The organisation where I last worked, it was anything but organized. I spent six months finding myself—and ended up doing absolutely nothing.” - Use Absurd Logic
“I joined this job because it was close to home. I saved money and time, which I now use to binge two movies a day. Productivity achieved!” - Play With Expectations
Start serious, end silly:
“I wanted a career that challenged me. So I became a parent. Now I negotiate with a three-year-old about why broccoli isn’t a toy.”
Your Game Plan
- Draft a 2–3 minute speech first.
- Sprinkle humor like chocolate chips—don’t dump the whole bag.
- Expand to 5–7 minutes by adding stories, pauses, and vocal variety.
- Practice until your timing is sharp. (Because in humor, timing isn’t everything—it’s the only thing.)
A humorous speech contest isn’t about being the funniest person in the room. It’s about connecting, entertaining, and leaving your audience thinking, “Wow, that was clever.” So speak your truth, add a twist, and remember: if all else fails, trip over the mic cord. Instant laugh. (Just kidding—kind of.)
Read more to understand the formula for being funny here.
Written by TM Pramathesh Borkotoky,
Intercontinental Advanced Toastmasters Club, District 101