<p>One of my essays is completely humorous and pun-ny. I was hoping to show a bit of my jocular self in it, but how far is too far? The prompt asks what would I like my roomates to know about me or something, and I wanted to show that I like joking around and enjoying what I learn in school.</p>
<p>bump 10char</p>
<p>I think that if the humor is any way derogatory, abstract, or vulgar it has crossed a line. It should be universally funny, and puns can generally fit this description. Sarcasm is good as long as it is used tastefully. Any failed attempts at humor can severely hurt an already weak essay. </p>
<p>I don’t know if you have the book 50 Harvard Essays with comments from the Harvard Crimson, but there is a specific essay that comes to mind when I think of puns. One student actually says “Shi+” in his essay because he has to fix a toilet. I think that this could go either way with an adcom. I thought it was very clever and continued the element of comedy in the essay ('cause fixing a toilet after you clogged it should be a humorous essay). But a more conservative reader might not like the profanity-turned-pun. Just use your best judgement. If you are iffy, don’t use it unless the whole effect of the essay is lost.</p>
<p>i think its good to use humor once or twice per paragraph. Trying to write a completely humorous essay will make it seem like you don’t care or aren’t serious. At most, put a joke or pun once per paragraph. twice might be okay.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses.</p>
<p>@noob: I do in fact use humor many times in many paragraphs. =(</p>
<p>@kayheart: my humor is not vulgar. But I do mention Facebook once in there. How bad is that?</p>
<p>Eh, mentioning Facebook is perfectly OK.</p>
<p>kayheart i’ve actually read that essay… really funny but good writing. sure it’s fine but make sure it’s appropriate (major spelling prob i know)</p>
<p>my essays are humorous (well i hope) too, and i agree, from all the opinions ive gotten, as long as its good writing and not offensive it should be fine. i stuck with mine because it was way more me and my voice than another more serious essay. i guess just consider if youre completely fine with portraying your self as you do in your writing.</p>
<p>…I mentioned facebook and myspace in the first sentence of my essay so I think it’s okay but then again you never know who might be reading it.</p>