Timing in comedy writing

I’ve been revising some comedy sketches, and I’m realizing how essential timing is for punchlines; a well-placed pause can make a joke land so much harder. What techniques do you all use to ensure the timing feels right in your writing?

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When I’m working on timing, I often read my sketches out loud to see where the beats fall. You’d be surprised how a slight pause can let the punchline breathe and hit harder. Have you tried recording yourself?

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