Understanding Irony

The teacher made an F on her report.

The firehouse burned down!

There are three types of IRONY

Situational Verbal

Dramatic

Situational irony happens when there is a difference between what happens and what you think should happen

I MUST NOT WRITE ALL OVER THE

WALLS

Other examples of SITUATIONAL irony

A policeman says, “Have a nice day!” when you just had a car wreck.

Dramatic Irony

When a character is unaware of something that

we, the audience or reader, know.

• When Romeo finds Juliet in a drugged sleep, he assumes her to be dead and kills himself. Upon awakening to find her dead lover beside her, Juliet then kills herself.

Verbal Irony

• A contrast between what is said or written and what is actually meant – is often sarcastic.

Verbal Irony: What Lisa might say to Bart after he gets in trouble

“Gee, how sad;

you’re such a good boy!”

No! You? In trouble!?!

I can’t understa

nd it. You

never do ANYTHING wrong.

“Ironic” by Alanis Morisette

Listen to “Ironic” by Alanis Morisette. Study the lyrics for examples of irony and record them on the chart provided.