Senior year of high school marks an end to a chapter in our lives. We move on from being teenagers and become adults. Naturally, there's a need to commemorate all the events, memories and time we spent with the people there. There's also a need to leave your mark at the place you'll most likely never return to, but have spent the bigger portion of your life at.
What's a better way to do it than to pick an unforgettable quote for your yearbook? Sure, you could carve your initials on that school bench, but the words in a yearbook will be in there forever. However, is that a good thing? Check out these funny pics from the X page 'Insane Yearbook Quotes' and let us know in the comments whether some of them are bound to become a little dated.
Bored Panda wanted to know more about what's the secret behind a truly funny yearbook quote. So we reached out to comedy writer and director Chris Head from London. Chris teaches comedy writing for the BBC Writersroom, the British Library and Bath Spa university. He is also the author of "A Director’s Guide to the Art of Stand-up" and "Creating Comedy Narratives for Stage & Screen." He agreed to tell us more about how students can create original, stand-out humor for their yearbook quotes. Read his expert insights below!
More info: Insane Yearbook Quotes | Chris Head
#1
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
Although yearbook quotes are not a tradition in the UK, we asked London-based comedy coach and director Chris Head to weigh in on how to craft a good quote for your yearbook. Chris mentors writers and stand-up comics on how to craft the best material, so he's more than qualified.
He has advice for school students who feel writer's block and are struggling to come up with something witty. "You could start by looking up serious yearbook quotes, then ask yourself what would be a playful way to parody this serious quote," the comedy coach suggests.
#2
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#3
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
If you're writing a joke for your yearbook and are starting from scratch, Chris has three points you can start with. First, try sharing something personal about yourself. An existing example of such a quote can be "If you like water then you already like 72% of me."
Another approach you can take is to convey the gratitude you received. The girl who chose the quote "I want to thank Google and Wikipedia and whoever invented copy and paste" can be a good example.
#4
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#5
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#6
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
If the two don't work, try giving some advice in your yearbook quote. It's true if you're a high school senior, there's not that much wisdom you can bestow on others. But it doesn't have to be serious. The quote "Remember, the more you weigh the harder you are to kidnap. Eat cake. Stay safe" gives very practical but funny advice.
#7
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#8
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#9
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
Once you've studied the examples, it's time to start writing. How do you create a funny and memorable quote that stands out? Chris asks us to consider this: "Try picking one of these approaches and then ask yourself: given this starting point, what would be a playful and surprising thing to say?"
#10
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#11
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#12
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
Chris recommends considering three questions:
1. "What would be a surprising thing to say about yourself?
2. Who or what would it be surprising to thank?
3. What would be surprising advice to give in this context?"
#13
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#14
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#15
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
Then we come to the key element of a yearbook quote that truly stands out. What is the secret ingredient? Self-awareness. "Self-awareness is absolutely key with a funny quote," Chris reiterates. "They work best if you are aware of how you come across to others and tap into that in your quote."
#16
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#17
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#18
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
It's important to consider who your audience will be. In this case, it might be your classmates who know you. “Remember the ‘If you like water then you already like 72% of me’ guy? The people who know him who read the quote will find it even funnier as it’s so him," Chris tells us.
#19
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#20
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#21
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
"Similarly, if the young woman who wrote the Google/Wikipedia quote was known for being cheeky (as we Brits would say) and rebellious," Chris adds, "It would be so much more funny and memorable."
#22
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#23
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#24
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
So a good yearbook quote has to be about you, at least in some capacity. "If they don’t fit the personality of the student, they won’t work as well, so it’s really key to write a quote that suits you and references something everyone knows about you," Chris concludes.
#25
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#26
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#27
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
What would make a yearbook quote objectively unfunny? One reason can be if it's full of clichés. How can students avoid them? Chris is a bit cheeky with his advice at first. "The simple answer to avoid cliché is to have an original idea!"
#28
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#29
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#30
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
But he does get serious. "There aren’t many 100% original ideas out there. It’s often a case of putting a fresh, personal spin on an existing idea. Even if the idea is not 100% original, if you express it in your own personal quirky way it will feel fresh," the comedy expert says.
"Or you can also go for a complete curveball that undermines the whole premise!" One example of that could be "I don't even go to this school!"
Chris Head is the author of "A Director’s Guide to the Art of Stand-up" and "Creating Comedy Narratives for Stage Screen." He also runs online courses and consultations. Don't hesitate to try them out if you feel like you've caught the comedy bug!
#31
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#32
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#33
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#34
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#35
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#36
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#37
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#38
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#39
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#40
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#41
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#42
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#43
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#44
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#45
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#46
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#47
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#48
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#49
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
#50
Image credits: YearbookQuotes_
