--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Great short stories and great jokes have…" description: "\"“Great short stories and great jokes have a lot in common. Both depend on what communication-theorists sometimes call “exformation,” which is a certain..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/david-foster-wallace-161_comedy_great-short-stories-and-great-jokes-have_2307430.jpg" --- # Great short stories and great jokes have a lot in common… ![“Great short stories and great jokes have a lot in common. Both depend on what communication-theorists sometimes call “exformation,” which is a certain quantity of vital information removed from but evoked by a communication in such a way as to cause a kind of explosion of associative connections…” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/david-foster-wallace-161_comedy_great-short-stories-and-great-jokes-have_2307430.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/david-foster-wallace-161_comedy_great-short-stories-and-great-jokes-have_2307430.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26e/david-foster-wallace-161_comedy_great-short-stories-and-great-jokes-have_2307430.jpg) > ““Great short stories and great jokes have a lot in common. Both depend on what communication-theorists sometimes call “exformation,” which is a certain quantity of vital information removed from but evoked by a communication in such a way as to cause a kind of explosion of associative connections within the recipient. This is probably why the effect of both short stories and jokes often feels sudden and percussive, like the venting of a long-stuck valve.”” [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Short stories and jokes rely on omitting key details, prompting the mind to fill gaps and create vivid connections. **In simple terms:** Omit details to spark imagination. Key Takeaway Use strategic omission for impact. Themes communication humor storytelling psychology creativity Mood playful intellectual curious Type observational analytical When to use this quote - Comedy writing - creative workshops - marketing copy - educational lectures - public speaking Key Concepts Exformation cognitive activation associative thinking Questions to Reflect On - When does omission enhance versus hinder understanding? - How can you balance clarity with mystery? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on omission can cause confusion or misinterpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Short stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-stories/) ## Related quotes > [Great short stories and great jokes have a lot in common. 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