Stand-up Writing Techniques (For Xmas!)

In this Christmas blog, my gift to you is a breakdown of some classic stand-up techniques you can use in your comedy or speaking, based on examples found in a festive Jack Dee clip.

In this festive themed article I discuss: 

• writing jokes based on found phrases, the technique of misdirection, telling then showing (doing an act-out following a verbal joke), framing Material as Advice/Tips and mismatched emotional reactions

A Jack Dee clip was nominated by a group member in one of my previous Christmas adjacent Zoom stand-up class, where he talks about Christmas that provided examples of all of these techniques in the first 1 minute 10 seconds. To get the most out of this section, view the clip first (watch all of it by all means, but all the techniques I discuss are found in the first 70 seconds!).

Watch the clip here

1. Found Phrases

When writing a joke using a 'found phrase' you take as a springboard a phrase you heard or came across out there in the world. A classic example is to take an annoying phrase!

Annoying Setup: Identify annoying phrases spoken by others (generic people or specific individuals in your life) and use these phrases as a setup.

• Payoff: Follow the annoying phrase with either a quick payoff or a series of comments and afterthoughts.

An excellent example of a found phrase joke comes from the material in the Jack Dee clip. In his example:

• Found Phrase (Set-up): "Is it a gift?" (an annoyingly obvious question often asked by a shop assistant during Christmas shopping).

• Punchline/Reaction: "No, I wear nighties." (Jack Dee's grumpy, sarcastic response to the obvious question).

The comedy comes from the exaggerated, uncooperative, and ridiculous reaction to a trivial, annoying question.

What phrases do you hear in the world that annoy you that could become the set-up for a joke or comedic reaction?

2. Misdirection

Classic Technique: Misdirection is a fundamental technique that relies on setting up an expectation and then surprising the audience with an unexpected punchline.

A excellent example of a misdirection joke is found in the clip from Jack Dee. The joke revolves around the "must-have present" for his children one Christmas:

1. Setup (Misdirection): Jack Dee starts by saying he couldn't remember the name of the "must have present" that his kids wanted at Christmas. He then describes its attributes: "You have to pet them and look after them and feed them and stroke them and love them and if you leave them alone then they start pining for you and if you neglect them for too long they stop working all together..." (This detailed description, leads the audience to anticipate a reference to a virtual pet, like a Tamagotchi.)

2. Punchline (Surprise/Misdirection): Then he remembers the name of them "...guinea pigs!"

The misdirection works because the description contains elements that belong to a virtual toy (malfunctioning if neglected) but are twisted to apply absurdly to a real pet (guinea pigs), creating the comedic surprise.

Stand-up is so much about hiding where you're going. Always look to misdirect the audience! 

3. Tell, Then Show

Structure: In stand-up, the format is often Tell, then Show, rather than simply "Show, not tell."

This is where the comedian delivers the punchline verbally and then follows it up with a physical demonstration (an "act out").

 The Shredder Joke 

1. The Tell (The Verbal Punchline): Jack Dee firstly states the absurd concept (framing it as a piece of advice or a "great tip", see below) – He says how much he dislikes receiving Christmas cards. Then in an example of comic problem solving he says, "I've attached a shredder to my front door. All the Christmas cards just go straight in there."

2. The Show (The Act Out): Immediately after the verbal punchline, you can perform a casual, physical imitation to visually or aurally reinforce the joke. Here Dee imitates the postman and the shredder sound: "So, you know, when the Christmas cards came through, br-br-br-br-br-br-."

   
   

This structure allows the audience to first hear the joke, then instantly see it played out, which is a classic way to land the joke with a second wave of laughter.

Get more out a verbal joke by acting out the punchline. Perform the act out very casually to make it appear spontaneous and to avoid looking like you are trying too hard.

 5. Framing Material as Advice/Tips

As per the above shredder applied to the letterbox to get rid of unwanted Christmas cards. 

• Shift the Angle: Frame an absurd idea or story as a "tip" or "advice" (e.g., "Here’s a great tip for you").

• As a random, non-festive example, inspired by the fact that it’s raining right now: “When it’s raining, to act as a hands-free umbrella. I like to balance a dustbin lid on my head.” (This is something I actually did many years ago while walking down the street during an especially rainy Edinburgh Fringe). Instead of just stating it as a fact, it adds more comic value to frame it advice. “Here’s a tip for you. When it’s raining, to create a hands free umbrella...”

• Effect: This subtle shift can change how the audience listens and adds an extra layer of humour.

  
  

As we saw the Jack Dee example, discussed above, is the Shredder Joke. He frames the absurd action as a helpful suggestion to the audience.

1. Tip/Advice Frame:"I did this year. This is a great tip. You might want to do this."

2. Material:"I've attached a shredder to my front door. All the Christmas cards just go straight in there."

   
   

By presenting the material as a "tip," the joke gains an added layer of humour from the comedian's seemingly genuine offer of ridiculous advice.

So, get more out of a comic idea by re-framing it as advice for the audience!

Hope you have a great Christmas (or maybe even better a sh*t Christmas that gives you lots of material).

This clip and discussion featured in a previous near-Xmas Zoom stand-up writing class. For more notes like this and to take part in Zoom comedy writing classes, see the latest course dates here - the next one starts in the new year.

Monday nights, 7pm UK time, 12th January 2026 - 9th February 2026 live on Zoom More info & Booking

Plus in 2026 I have monthly live stand-up comedy workshops in London, Stround and (probably) Bath too.

More into & Booking