Literary Elements: Irony

LITERARY ELEMENTS: IRONY

A character states,

"I enjoyed watching that movie as much as I enjoy getting

a root canal."

​Example

a contrast between what a character says, and what he or she actually means

Definition

Verbal Irony

Verbal Irony

• A character says one thing but means the opposite

• Sarcasm is a form

• Ex. "Awesome! Another homework assignment!"

A pilot deals with his own crippling fear of heights

​Example

contrast between what a reader or character expects and what actually happens

Definition

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

• When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected

• Something about the situation is completely unexpected

• Ex. - Bill Gates using an Apple computer

During the American Civil War, a young woman wants to join the Army, but because women are not allowed in combat, she disguises herself as a man.

​Example

contrast between what the reader knows and what at least one of the characters know

Definition

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic Irony

• When the reader understands more about the event than a character

• You know a secret that a character doesn't

• Ex. - Tim's parents are proud of the "A" he got on the test, but we know he cheated

Multiple Choice

A man leaps out of the road to avoid being hit by a car, only to have a tree branch fall on top of him.

• Verbal

• Dramatic

• Situational

Multiple Choice

A character steps out into a hurricane and says, “What nice weather we are having!”

• Verbal

• Dramatic

• Situational

Multiple Choice

The main character is hiding from the villain in the very where the villain is waiting for them. The audience yells at the TV for the hero to run.

• Verbal

• Dramatic

• Situational

Multiple Choice

"I'd like to visit that museum again as much as I'd like to gnaw off my own foot."

• Verbal

• Dramatic

• Situational

Multiple Choice

In Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the audience knows that the beast is in fact the prince, but Belle does not.

• Verbal

• Dramatic

• Situational

Multiple Choice

A robbery at a police station would be an example of which type of irony? 

• Verbal
• Dramatic
• Situational
• None of the Above

Multiple Choice

• verbal irony
• dramatic irony
• situational irony
• none of the above

Multiple Select

• verbal irony

• situational irony

• dramatic irony

• none of the above

Multiple Choice

In your history book, you read about a young man in the Revolutionary War who kills a British soldier.  That soldier who was killed turns out to be his favorite cousin.

• Situational Irony
• Verbal Irony
• Dramatic Irony

Multiple Choice

When we know the identify of the superhero, but everyone else wonders who they are, thats...?

• Verbal
• Situational
• Dramatic
• Super

Multiple Choice

If you, the reader, know that Sophie's friends are acting strange because they are throwing a surprise party for her, but Sophie does not know this, you are feeling suspense due to

• stress from school
• situational irony
• dramatic irony
• situation ethics

Multiple Choice

“Oh no!” exclaimed Darcy. “Look at my shoes!”

Mom leaned over and noted a speck of dirt on the gray leather. “What a tragedy,” said Mom.

“They’re ruined!”

• Verbal

• Situational

• Dramatic

• Not Ironic

Multiple Choice

Irony usually involves something that is 

• false
• silly
• unexpected
• unimportant

Multiple Choice

What is verbal irony?

• what is said is different than what is meant

• the audience knows something a character doesn't know.

• what happens is the opposite of what is expected

Multiple Choice

Situational irony is when

• what is said is the opposite of what is meant

• the audience knows something the character doesn't

• what happens is the opposite of what is expected

Multiple Choice

Dramatic irony is when

• what is said is different than what is meant

• the audience knows something the character doesn't

• what happens is the opposite of what is expected