--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How do you know you told a good punch…" description: "\"How do you know you told a good punch line, a good joke? It's because they laugh. How do you know you've got a good scary punch line? It's because they..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35a/katie-holmes-6657_comedy_how-do-you-know-you-told-a-good-punch-li_2541159.jpg" --- # How do you know you told a good punch line, a good joke?… ![“How do you know you told a good punch line, a good joke? It's because they laugh. How do you know you've got a good scary punch line? It's because they jump out of the seat or scream. So the best reward is one you can listen to.” quote by Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35a/katie-holmes-6657_comedy_how-do-you-know-you-told-a-good-punch-li_2541159.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35a/katie-holmes-6657_comedy_how-do-you-know-you-told-a-good-punch-li_2541159.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/35a/katie-holmes-6657_comedy_how-do-you-know-you-told-a-good-punch-li_2541159.jpg) > “How do you know you told a good punch line, a good joke? It's because they laugh. How do you know you've got a good scary punch line? It's because they jump out of the seat or scream. So the best reward is one you can listen to.” [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A joke succeeds when the audience reacts with laughter; a scary line succeeds when it provokes fear or shock. The best reward is hearing that reaction. **In simple terms:** Success is measured by audience response. Key Takeaway Gauge impact by audience reaction. Themes humor audience reaction feedback Mood amused thrilled reflective Type observational analytical When to use this quote - stand‑up comedy - horror writing - public speaking - teaching - marketing pitches Key Concepts psychology performance communication Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify audience response in real time? - What if the reaction is mixed? A Different Perspective Audience reaction can be ambiguous or delayed, making assessment tricky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Laugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laugh/) [Punch line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punch-line/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) ## Related quotes > [I did a movie with Jamie Foxx that was kind of action, and, you know, Jim Hopper's a little bit action; he does throw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harbour/i-did-a-movie-with-jamie-foxx-that-was-kind-of-action-and-you-know/) [David Harbour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harbour/) > [Prayer and hard work are a pretty good one-two punch to get things done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-santorum/prayer-and-hard-work-are-a-pretty-good-one-two-punch-to-get-things/) [Rick Santorum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-santorum/) > [“No-one will dispute the effectiveness of a straight left or a right hook to the jaw or body, but unfortunately it takes months of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-fairbairn/no-one-will-dispute-the-effectiveness-of-a-straight-left-or-a-right/) [W.E. Fairbairn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-fairbairn/) > [McGregor has a good punch, but he cannot say that he's the biggest puncher. MMA gloves are tiny - four ounces - so when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-aldo/mcgregor-has-a-good-punch-but-he-cannot-say-that-he-s-the-biggest/) [Jose Aldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-aldo/) > [Even the basics of learning how to throw a good punch is very hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esme-creed-miles/even-the-basics-of-learning-how-to-throw-a-good-punch-is-very-hard/) [Esme Creed-Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esme-creed-miles/) > [The heavyweight division, if you land a good, good punch in the right place, everybody is going to fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-arlovski/the-heavyweight-division-if-you-land-a-good-good-punch-in-the-right/) [Andrei Arlovski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-arlovski/) > [“One good punch from Rube on me would send the sky into my head and the clouds into my lungs. I just always tried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/one-good-punch-from-rube-on-me-would-send-the-sky-into-my-head-and/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [Muhammad Ali could take a very good punch. He was slick, he could move, he could hit, make you miss, good hand speed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-holmes/muhammad-ali-could-take-a-very-good-punch-he-was-slick-he-could-move/) [Larry Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-holmes/) > [I was blessed with speed and a good punch. Everybody thinks I'm the hardest puncher ever. But I just think I was really fast,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-was-blessed-with-speed-and-a-good-punch-everybody-thinks-i-m-the/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [If I was a locksmith, I'd be pimping that out man. I'll trade you a free key duplication for. That joke made me laugh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/if-i-was-a-locksmith-i-d-be-pimping-that-out-man-i-ll-trade-you-a/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [“Life's a joke, so laugh while it's still funny.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imkje-dongelmans/life-s-a-joke-so-laugh-while-it-s-still-funny/) Imkje Dongelmans > [That awkward moment when you don't understand a joke but laugh anyway, and then someone asks you to explain the joke .\_.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-awkward-moment-when-you-don-t-understand-a-joke-but-laugh-anyway/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think my ability to joke and laugh about things is because I'm forced to. I've been through a lot of things in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/i-think-my-ability-to-joke-and-laugh-about-things-is-because-i-m/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [“What if it's just a big, cosmic joke? Then...laugh! .85.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee/what-if-it-s-just-a-big-cosmic-joke-then-laugh-85/) [dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee/) > [JUST READ THE JOKE AND LAUGH !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/just-read-the-joke-and-laugh/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Katie Holmes > [What I love about watching classic horror films is that they take you on a ride and they obviously make you scared because you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/what-i-love-about-watching-classic-horror-films-is-that-they-take-you/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [ I felt that there was a beautiful story \[ in "All We Had"\] to be told and one that was valuable and also one… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/i-felt-that-there-was-a-beautiful-story-in-all-we-had-to-be-told-and/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [I don't over-gift. I don't inundate my child with a lot of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/i-don-t-over-gift-i-don-t-inundate-my-child-with-a-lot-of-things/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [I really can't deny it, I am who I am. I'm pretty normal. I'm not that smooth type of girl. I run into things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/i-really-can-t-deny-it-i-am-who-i-am-i-m-pretty-normal-i-m-not-that/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [I don't always take off my make-up before bed, and I like pizza at two in the morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/i-don-t-always-take-off-my-make-up-before-bed-and-i-like-pizza-at-two/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [I never really look back. I just approach life (taking) it one day at a time. I'm just really grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/i-never-really-look-back-i-just-approach-life-taking-it-one-day-at-a/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [I used to get so worried that if a scene didn't go a certain way, then it was horrible. But then I realized that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/i-used-to-get-so-worried-that-if-a-scene-didn-t-go-a-certain-way-then/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [I'm not computer literate. I e-mail. I know how to get on the Web, but I haven't crossed over into the internet world. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/i-m-not-computer-literate-i-e-mail-i-know-how-to-get-on-the-web-but-i/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [When I got married of course I wanted everything to be perfect. Youre nervous because you want it to be perfect. And in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/when-i-got-married-of-course-i-wanted-everything-to-be-perfect-youre/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [I think that I'm always open to any kind of project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/i-think-that-i-m-always-open-to-any-kind-of-project/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [I'm so spoiled - I must have a Starbucks vanilla latte every day. Otherwise, it's going to be a bad day. I also love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/i-m-so-spoiled-i-must-have-a-starbucks-vanilla-latte-every-day/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [Every day my husband inspires me. My family inspires me. My daughter inspires. Were always sort of creating new things whether its a party,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/every-day-my-husband-inspires-me-my-family-inspires-me-my-daughter/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [We have our little restaurants, and there's a beautiful beach that we go to in the summer and fall. We tend to have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/we-have-our-little-restaurants-and-there-s-a-beautiful-beach-that-we/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [We're trying to raise good humans, and some days, we're better at it than others. You don't always get treats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/we-re-trying-to-raise-good-humans-and-some-days-we-re-better-at-it/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) > [When I read scripts and when I read books, it's more of an emotional response and I was really drawn to these characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-holmes/when-i-read-scripts-and-when-i-read-books-it-s-more-of-an-emotional/) [Katie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) [Explore all 98 Katie Holmes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-holmes/) ## More Comedy quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I wouldn't want people to laugh at me. That's why I have to give all that I can, and at least produce something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhao-wei/i-wouldn-t-want-people-to-laugh-at-me-that-s-why-i-have-to-give-all/) [Zhao Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhao-wei/) > [“Our world will not die as a result of the bomb, as the papers say, it will die of laughter, of banality, of making a joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/our-world-will-not-die-as-a-result-of-the-bomb-as-the-papers-say-it/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [“Laugh and grow strong”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-loyola/laugh-and-grow-strong/) [Ignatius of Loyola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-loyola/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [There's a difference between delivering real funny and just silly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-rel-howery/there-s-a-difference-between-delivering-real-funny-and-just-silly/) [Lil Rel Howery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-rel-howery/) > [Oh to that corkscrew, the useful tool to unlock the treasure of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/oh-to-that-corkscrew-the-useful-tool-to-unlock-the-treasure-of-wit/) [Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/) > [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/) [Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/) > [I do love to laugh!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-giudice/i-do-love-to-laugh/) [Teresa Giudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-giudice/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Browse all 19,795 Comedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "How do you know you told a good punch line, a good joke? It's because they laugh. How do you know you've got a good scary punch line? It's because they jump out of the seat or scream. 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