Session #3

3.3 How to Write Like Jerry Seinfeld

Course Objectives

Find stronger observational premises by identifying the overlooked nuances, behaviors, language, and contradictions of everyday life.

Develop an observation into comedy by questioning the premise and stepping it out through Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.

Generate more laughs from one idea using Seinfeld-inspired techniques including wordplay, irony, paradox, analogy, anthropomorphism, and the Behind-the-Scenes Technique.

Expand individual jokes into complete bits by creating act-outs, tags, and callbacks while continually asking, “If this is true, what else is true?”

Instructor:
Jerry Corley

Lesson information

🎭 3.3 How to Write Like Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld built one of the most successful careers in comedy by doing something deceptively simple: noticing the things everybody experiences but nobody really examines.

A strange phrase. A ridiculous social custom. A tiny contradiction. Something people do every day without ever stopping to ask, “Why do we do this?”

That curiosity is at the heart of Seinfeld’s writing process.

In this course, you’ll break down the techniques behind Seinfeld’s observational comedy and learn how to apply them to your own material without imitating his voice or delivery.

You’ll learn how to take ordinary moments and explore them from multiple angles by asking questions like:

What’s really going on here?

Why do we do this?

What are they really saying?

If this is true, what else is true?

From there, you’ll learn how to “step out” an idea by exploring the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of the premise, then use techniques such as wordplay, literal interpretation, analogy, anthropomorphism, irony, paradox, act-outs and callbacks to turn a small observation into a developed comedy bit.

The goal isn’t to sound like Jerry Seinfeld.

The goal is to learn how to look at the world with the same level of curiosity and precision — then turn what you notice into comedy that sounds like you.

Start a Conversation

This lesson doesn’t have to end when the video does. Use the comment section below to put what you’ve learned into practice and keep the conversation going.

Post your:

Questions — If something isn’t clear, ask. Chances are other students are wondering the same thing.
Homework & Exercises — When the lesson includes an exercise or bonus assignment, post your work below.
Jokes & Premises — Try out what you’ve written using the techniques from this lesson.
Observations & Discoveries — Spot this technique being used by another comedian? Share what you noticed.
Feedback — Feel free to respond to other students’ work. Be constructive and help each other get better.

Don’t just watch the lesson—use it. Comedy writing is a skill, and skills improve through repetition, experimentation, feedback, and practice.

So jump in. Write something. Try something. Ask something!

If you like this course, DON'T MISS THIS ONE...

How to Write Like George Carlin

Learn how George Carlin turned outrage, hypocrisy, and brutal honesty into unforgettable comedy. This course breaks down the tools behind his sharp observations, layered logic, and fearless point of view and 'unassailable truth' so you can write smarter, deeper, harder-hitting material.

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