Misleading and surprise: Verbal jokes use this element to the greatest level possible. Basically, this technique relies on cognitive processing errors, turning assumptions upside down, and word confusion. For example: "What happens to liars when they die?" Answer - "They lie still." This joke works because you have to interpret the joke in two ways.

Timing: Apt timing is as important as surprise, because if you give the brain too much time to work out a situation or joke, the funny moment will pass by. This is probably why jokes people have heard before don't work, as recognition dulls humor because the brain is already primed by experience.

Serious: Much humor derives from very serious events and situations in our daily lives.

Think silly: This is about taking serious stuff and being not-so-serious with it. Try to find the funnier, lighthearted side of what you're observing and think like a kid.

Status change: Changing a person's status, or the status of something long held to be true, can be very funny. For example, having a CEO of a company ask the receptionist for advice on how to run the company.

Know your audience: Have a reasonable idea of what those around you find funny. When you're in a group of people you don't know, for example, just listen to what subjects they're talking about and what's making them laugh. Generally the better you know someone, the easier it will be to make them laugh.