Appeals with an attempt to produce jocularity (10)
I believe the answer is:
pleasantry
'jocularity' is the definition.
(I know that pleasantry is a type of jocularity)
'appeals with an attempt' is the wordplay.
'appeals' becomes 'pleas' (plea is a kind of appeal).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'attempt' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'pleas'+'an'+'try'='PLEASANTRY'
'to produce' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for pleasantry that I've seen before include "jocularity" , "Humorous style" , "An agreeable remark" , "Quip" , "Source of laughter" .)