What Is Irony?
Irony is the contrast between
expectation and reality.
Verbal Irony
In verbal irony, a speaker
says one thing but means
the opposite. Verbal irony
• is the simplest kind of irony
• can become sarcasm if
taken to a harsh extreme
Situational Irony
In situational irony, what
actually happens is the
opposite of what is expected
or appropriate.
• is often humorous
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony occurs when
the reader or the audience
knows something important
that the character does not
know.
Review
Quick Check
After tripping over his own
feet, the teen exclaims, “That
was graceful!”
The movie audience knows
that a hostile alien is just past
the door. “Don’t go in there!”
one viewer yells at the screen.
The guest opens his mouth
to compliment the chef, but
before he can speak, he burps
long and loudly.
Identify each
item as one of
the following:
• verbal irony
• situational
irony
• dramatic irony
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The End