Irony

3 Kinds of Irony

What is Irony?

Irony is about expectations.

Irony: the opposite of what is expected.

3 kinds of irony

• Verbal

• Dramatic

• Situational

Verbal Irony

A character says one thing but means the opposite

Also called sarcasm or being sarcastic.

ExamplesThe locker room smells really good.Awesome! Another homework packet!

Dramatic IronyWhen the reader understands more about the events of a story than a character.

You know something that a character doesn’t.

Example

Tim’s parents are proud of the “A” he got on the test, but we know he cheated.

Situational IronyWhen what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected.

Something about the situation is completely unexpected.

Example

The teacher’s daughter is a high school drop out.

The barber always needs a haircut.

Bill Gates uses an Apple computer.

Review

Something that is ironic is unexpected.

If unexpected by a character, it’s dramatic.

If unexpected by everyone, it’s situational.

If it’s sarcasm, it’s verbal.

Determine if the following situations are verbal irony, dramatic irony, or

situational irony. Show your sign.

VerbalIrony

DramaticIrony

SituationalIrony

Is is Verbal Irony, Dramatic Irony, or Situational Irony?

• You are watching a horror movie and there is a killer on the loose. The audience knows the teenagers shouldn’t walk through the woods in the evening because the audience knows he is lurking behind a tree. The teenagers think a midnight stroll sounds fun.

Is is Verbal Irony, Dramatic Irony, or Situational Irony?

• I’m glad the elevator got stuck. It’s been a life-long dream to sit in a hot small area for two hours after I drank four classes of water.

Is is Verbal Irony, Dramatic Irony, or Situational Irony?

• You stay up all night studying for a test. When you arrive at school, you find out the test isn’t until the next day.

Is is Verbal Irony, Dramatic Irony, or Situational Irony?

• You stay up all night studying for a test. When you arrive at school, you find out the test isn’t until the next day.

Is is Verbal Irony, Dramatic Irony, or Situational Irony?

• A professional pickpocket had his own pocket picked just as he was in the act of picking someone else’s pocket.

Is is Verbal Irony, Dramatic Irony, or Situational Irony?

• Your boyfriend is taking you out to dinner for your birthday. He comes over in ripped jeans and a t-shirt. With a smirk, you say, “Oh, you dressed up for our date. We must be going to a posh restaurant.”

Is is Verbal Irony, Dramatic Irony, or Situational Irony?

• If my computer freezes again, I will throw it out the window.