Frontmatter -- Contents -- List of Tables -- List of Figures -- Preface to the second edition -- Acknowledgments for the second edition -- Introduction to the second edition (2024) -- Acknowledgements (1994) -- Preface (1994) -- Introduction (1994) -- 1 Survey of the Literature -- 2 The Linear Organization of the Joke -- 3 The Analysis of Puns -- 4 Resolution in Puns -- 5 Semiotic and Text Theories -- 6 Script-based Theories -- 7 Register-based Humor -- 8 Non-joke Humor Texts -- 9 The Cooperative Nature of Humor -- 10 Humor in Context -- 11 Directions in Humor Research -- Bibliography -- A Humorous examples -- B List of Acronyms -- Index