Irony

Open Ended

In your own words, what is suspense?

Suspense

●

Suspense is the sense of
growing tension, fear, and
excitement felt by the reader.

●

Writers use different
techniques to create
suspense in fiction.

●

One technique author use to
create suspense is called
Irony.

Irony

Irony is about expectations.

Irony occurs when the opposite of what is expected
happens.

There are three types of irony.

●

Verbal

●

Situational

●

Dramatic

Irony

1.Verbal Irony

Verbal irony occurs when a character
says one thing but means the opposite.

This is also known as sarcasm.

For example, when it is raining outside,
you might hear someone say, “Lovely
weather we’re having!”.

Multiple Choice

What's an example of verbal irony?

• Chanting, "You're an awesome athlete!" to an Olympian
• Saying, "Good job!" to someone who just rear ended a car
• When the sun is shining and the birds are singing, you say, "Nice weather we're having, right?"
• All of the above

Open Ended

Come up with an example of verbal irony on your own.

Irony

2. Situational Irony

Situational irony occurs when what
actually happens is the opposite of what is
expected.

Example:
●A firehouse burning down → This is
situational irony because a firehouse
should be the safest place from a fire

Open Ended

Explain: How is this commercial an example of situational irony?

Draw

Draw an example of situational irony.

Irony

3. Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the reader
understands more about the events of
the story than the characters.

It’s like a secret only the audience knows.

Example:
A man is approaching a banana peel on the sidewalk. The audience knows it's there, but the man does not.

Irony

3. Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the reader
understands more about the events of
the story than the characters.

It’s like a secret only the audience knows.

Example:
●In a horror movie, the audience
knows that the villain is hiding around
the corner, but the character doesn’t.

Multiple Choice

How might a story written in 3rd person omniscient include dramatic irony?

• By only showing us the main character's thoughts so we feel as if we are that character

• By allowing us to know what all of the characters are thinking so we have info the other characters do not

• By confusing the audience into not knowing which thoughts belong to which character

• All of the above

Open Ended

Explain: How does this photo show dramatic irony?

Irony

We have now gone over verbal, situational, and dramatic irony.

Now you'll practice identifying the different types of irony.

Match

Match the type of irony to its definition

• When there is a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.

• When what was said is actually the opposite of what is really meant.

• When the audience or reader knows more than the characters in a work of literature.

Situational Irony

Verbal Irony

Dramatic Irony

• Situational Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Dramatic Irony

Multiple Choice

"Just what I have always wanted: a broken leg!"

• Dramatic
• Situational
• Verbal

Multiple Choice

The audience knows the house isn't really haunted, but a terrified visitor takes desperate measures to get away.

• Dramatic
• Situational
• Verbal

Multiple Choice

"Don't you just hate it when you get all A's?"

• Dramatic
• Situational
• Verbal

Multiple Choice

A vet hates animals.

• Dramatic
• Situational
• Verbal

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of irony in the example:

A man is approaching a banana peel. The audience sees it, but the man does not.

• Verbal

• Situational

• Dramatic

Irony & Suspense

Discuss:
How do authors use irony to build suspense in a story?

Independent Work:
●What techniques do authors use to build suspense
in a story?

●Use your annotated copy of “The Tell-Tale Heart” to
complete the Suspense Chart (through OnCourse
or on paper)

●Tip:
○Find an example in the story where you felt
anxious and nervous

○Then, ask yourself: What is the author doing
here? Name the technique.

Open Ended

Why do you think authors use irony in their stories? What are the possible effects on the reader?

Independent: Which techniques does the author

use in order to create suspense?

Tip: Look at your annotations. What parts made you feel tense or
anxious?

Technique

Words/lines from the text

Explain: How does this add

suspense to the story?

Closure

Wrap-up:

●

How do authors use irony to build
suspense in a story?

Homework &
Announcements:

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Suspense Chart