There are three basic types of irony:

• verbal irony

• situational irony

• dramatic irony

Irony

Writers use irony to reflect the real world—one where expectations aren’t always fulfilled and unexpected events surprise us.

Irony is the difference between what we expect and what actually happens.

Irony

Foldable (3 flaps)

Flaps: Verbal, Dramatic, Situational, • Teacher: Model 1 • Partners A + B (5 minutes)

– Define + example

Irony – Notes on p.284-285 (old book)

Definition: occurs when someone says one thing but means another

Example of Verbal Irony:

You get into a wreck and the passenger says, “You’re a great driver!”

Verbal Irony

Another example: “I’m not sure I’ve read enough books about computers,” said Mr. Manor.

Verbal Irony

Verbal irony notes:

• is the simplest kind of irony

• can become sarcasm if taken to a harsh extreme

Situational Irony

Definition: When a situation or event ends the opposite of what is expected

Example:

When a lifeguard is saved from drowning…

Situational Irony

Another Example: The dentist was surprised to find a cavity when she examined her own dental X-rays.

Situational Irony

Notes: -it’s surprising

-it’s very shocking

• may mock (make fun of) human plans and intentions

Situational irony

• is often humorous and sometimes shocking

Situational Irony notes

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic Irony

Example: We know, but Ron does not know, that when he flicks on his computer, a horrible virus will begin destroying it.

Dramatic irony occurs when we know something the character does not.

Dramatic IronyAgain, it’s when the audience knows something that the characters do not…

Another example:

Horror films are notorious for presenting dramatic irony. The audience always knows where the bad guy is hiding when the “frantic” girl does not.

• Heightens (increases) the sense of humor in comedies and deepens the sense of dread in tragedies

• adds greatly to the suspense

Dramatic Irony notes:

[End of Section]

Individually

page 285 Think about which type(s) of irony the

cartoon describes?HW: Write your own examples of irony

on the back.

Identify each item as one of the following:

• verbal irony

• situational irony

• dramatic irony

2. The movie audience knows that a hostile alien is just past the door. “Don’t go in there!” one viewer yells at the screen.

3. The guest opens his mouthto compliment the chef, but before he can speak, he burps long and loudly.

Quick Check1. After tripping over his own feet, the teen exclaims, “That was graceful!”

Ticket Out the Door

[End of Section]

DAY 2: TICKET in THE DOOR

• WHAT ARE THE THREE TYPES OF IRONY? PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE OF TYPE AND EXPLAIN WHY IT’S THAT KIND OF IRONY.

• THE THREE TYPES OF IRONY ARE ______, __________, AND _______________.

• ONE EXAMPLE WOULD BE _________________. THIS IS _____ IRONY BECAUSE __________________.

COLORS: S, V, or D?

While at a funeral, Frank overheard the grieving widow say to her daughter, “Your dad would have loved to be here for this.”

On the Channel 7, 6:00 news: A gold-medalist swimmer drowns during his tenth national swimming competition.

Fiona the princess looks at Shrek the ogre and says, “Wow, aren’t you the most handsome man I’ve ever seen?”

Romeo and Juliet is an early tragedy by William Shakespeare about two teenage “star-cross’d lovers” whose "untimely deaths" ultimately unite their feuding households.

George breaks a date with his girlfriend so he can go to a ball game with the guys. At the concession stand, he runs into his girlfriend with another guy.

You are watching a horror movie. You know that the boogey man is waiting for the main character in the closet, but the character doesn’t know and unknowingly opens the closet door.

As you walk outside into the pouring rain, your friend sarcastically comments, “What lovely weather we’re having today.”

A police station gets robbed.

Your date for the school dance shows up in ripped jeans and a stained t-shirt. With a smirk, you say, “Oh! I see you dressed up for the occasion.”

When watching a talk show, the audience knows why a person has been brought on the show. However, the person in the chair does not know that they are going to be reunited with a long lost friend.

Assessment: Whip Around

Groups create an example of each type of irony.