It's myth that you should start your speech with a joke.
Instead, use humor. What's the difference? A joke has a punch line.
Example: Did you hear the one about the elephant who goes into the psychiatrist's office?
There are three issues regarding jokes:
- First, the joke should be relevant to the subject matter. Don't tell a
generic joke. People will wonder, "What's the point?"
- Secondly, jokes can easily offend today's global audience. If you tell
a joke, test it out.
- Finally, if your timing is off the joke can bomb and you'll go down with
it.
So, unless you're a natural comedian avoid using jokes.
