: Instead of "The River," try something like "A Guinea Pig Became a Father to 400 After Breaking Into a Female Enclosure".
: Start somewhat normally to give the reader a sense of reality before departing from it. Gag Humor
: List two serious items followed by a third, ridiculous one to subvert expectations. : Instead of "The River," try something like
: Keep punchlines brief and surprising, placing them as close to the setup as possible. : Instead of "The River