# Seeking Mark Twain piece

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-mark-twain-piece/160040>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 9, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-mark-twain-piece/160040 "2003-03-09T05:08:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-mark-twain-piece/160040/1 "2003-03-09T05:08:15Z")

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I recall a lit class where we read a piece by Mark Twain where he described the difference between the comedy style of Americans vs. English vs. French, IIRC. Can anybody give me the name of the piece?

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**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-mark-twain-piece/160040/2 "2003-03-09T05:24:54Z")

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I think you’re looking for “How to Tell a Story.”

Here’s a link:

[http://www.fredshome.com/books/howtotellstory.htm](http://www.fredshome.com/books/howtotellstory.htm)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-mark-twain-piece/160040/3 "2003-03-09T05:37:14Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by jackelope \*  
> \*\*I think you’re looking for “How to Tell a Story.”
> 
> Here’s a link:
> 
> [http://www.fredshome.com/books/howtotellstory.htm](http://www.fredshome.com/books/howtotellstory.htm) \*\*

Yep, that’s it. Thanks so much!!