3 Types of Irony

Irony is when you expect a certain outcome but get something different.

3 types of Irony:
1. Situational
2. Verbal
3. Dramatic

1. Situational Irony
Situational irony is when the OPPOSITE HAPPENS what was EXPECTED to HAPPEN.

1. Situational Irony

A security guard keeping watch
on a building to make us feel
safe, has fallen fast asleep. He
expected to be awake and alert
but the opposite has happened.

1. Situational Irony

The sticky label that was difficult to remove on a Non-stick pan happened
OPPOSITE to what was
EXPECTED to happen
on a non-stick pan.

1. Situational Irony

​A Psychic who can to see
the future cancelled
her Psychic reading
because she couldn't see
the future. That is the
opposite of what was
expected.

2. Verbal Irony
If a person says, "beautiful weather we're having" during a severe thunderstorm.


She is saying the opposite of what is meant. She meant to say the weather is bad or nasty out.

2. Verbal Irony
If a child is punished by cleaning the entire house. He responds by saying, "I cant' wait!".



He saying the opposite of what is meant. He should have been sad and begged his parents for mercy.

2. Verbal Irony
After a boy stuffed his face at an all you can eat bar, he looks at his mom and says, "I'm starving. What's for dinner?"

He says the opposite of what he means. He should have said, I am soo full.

3. Dramatic Irony
When the audience know something a character does not know.

3. Dramatic Irony
A manager at the restaurant told his employees not to seat any more customers, but the main character is riding in an Uber discussing what she plans to eat.
The audience knows she won't be seated before the character knows.

3. Dramatic Irony
A girl who is very allergic to dogs is about to walk into a room where 5 puppies are hiding under the sofa. She walks in and starts to sneeze uncontrollably, but can't figure out why.
The audience knows 5 puppies are hiding under the sofa before the character knows.

3. Dramatic Irony


A construction crew just cemented a new sidewalk where a man goes on his daily walk. The man is seen walking and looking down at his phone texting as he nears the taped off site.
The audience knows before the man that he is about to fall into wet cement if he doesn't look up.