Use of Humor by Engineers in Oral Presentations

Abstract

An engineer can use humor effectively in oral presentations to enhance his own credibility and the credibility of his ideas. Initially, this paper describes the benefits and problems encountered by a speaker who uses humor in an oral presentation. The paper proceeds with a discussion of the criteria that must be considered when humor is to be used in a speech. Several approaches to the study and interpretation of humor are described. Various aspects of tone, form, and object are analyzed, and as their application to the type of humor most appropriate for oral presentations to engineers. Finally, a style of humor based on error is proposed as the device that best meets the needs of the engineer in public speaking. Since the literature on humor contains little information about the specialized field of engineering humor, this paper is highly subjective. Where possible, however, general material on humor has been adapted to the more specific requirements of engineers.