- Characters: The main character or characters of the story must be relatable to the audience yet have some kind of exaggerated flaws or peculiarities that give them humorous potential.
- Setting: The location or environment where the story takes place can provide humorous elements, such as a quirky town or a chaotic workplace.
- Conflict: The central conflict of the story should be rooted in the characters' flaws or the absurd situations they find themselves in, creating opportunities for humour.
- Exaggeration and Irony: Comic premises often use exaggeration and irony to create humorous effects. Characters' traits, situations, and events may be blown out of proportion, leading to comical misunderstandings or conflicts.
- Mismatched Expectations: Setting up expectations and then subverting them can create humour. When characters' actions or outcomes do not match what the audience anticipates, it leads to a comic effect.
- Rule of Three: The concept of using a series of three related jokes or gags to build towards a punchline or peak of humour. This creates a rhythm and anticipation in the comedy.
A solid comic premise is crucial in comedy writing, as it provides the groundwork for the humour that will unfold in the story. It gives the writer a clear direction to follow and helps craft a consistently funny and engaging narrative.