Irony, Satire, and Oxymoron

Literary Devices Continued...

What is diction?

​Diction is an author's word choice

Diction (word choice) is important because it helps to create writing that is more interesting, detailed, creates a fluid writing style, and helps determine the tone of the text.

Which is more interesting?

The trees were tall. The towering trees were hovering over us like giants in the sky.

Irony is used by writers to create an outcome that is different than expected.

Examples: Actors with stage fright, a bird with a fear of heights, saying "What a beautiful day!" when it is storming outside...

What is Irony?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of irony?

• You and your friend meet up together. Both of you are wearing a green shirt.

• A police officer catches a bank robber.

• You drop your phone on the ground and the screen cracks.

• The police station gets robbed.

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT an example of irony?

• A firetruck catching on fire.

• A dog being allergic to animal fur.

• The birds migrating for the winter.

• A photographer being told not to take pictures at an event.

A way of using humor to show that someone or something is foolish, weak, bad, etc.

Examples: The Simpsons using humor to describe historical events, political cartoons, Saturday Night Live, The Onion

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What is satire?

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of satire?

• A comedy skit talking about a current event.

• An article teaching about a topic.

• A sad story on the news.

• Students celebrating when their school team won the soccer tournament.

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT an example of satire?

• Movies using characters to make fun of politicians

• A girl crying about losing her favorite toy.

• Using a joke to make light of an upsetting event

• An artist singing a funny song about current events

A phrase made of two or more words that actually have opposite meanings

Example: jumbo shrimp, deafening silence, silent scream, pretty ugly

​What is an oxymoron?

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of an oxymoron?

• The library was quiet.

• I love Jumbo Shrimp

• The stairs creaked.

• The girl laughed loudly.

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT an example of an oxymoron?

• The silence was loud.

• The boy said I was pretty ugly.

• The song was full of a sweet sorrow.

• The bell rang loudly.

Open Ended

Give an example of irony.

Open Ended

Give an example of satire.

Open Ended

Give an example of an oxymoron.