Irony of Situation Irony of situation occurs when what happens is the opposite of what the reader has expected. EXAMPLE: John always knows everything: the causes of the Civil War, the meaning of existentialism, and what purpose cosecants serve. That’s why John will eventually become valedictorian. That’s why John struts around with this has-everyone-noticed-the-celestial-glowaround-my-Einstein-like-larger-than-life-head aura. That’s why everyone hates John. Just Wednesday Mrs. Francis squeaked down the aisle in her infamous rubber-soled shoes. I myself find it ironic that she prohibits any noise from us, yet she’s the source of the din she disdains. If it’s not her shoes wailing at every step, it’s her snorting nasal congestion, or her rasping voice yelling in her commando SWAT-team-like orders that we can’t begin to understand, yet alone follow. I lost her after ‘‘square.’’ Maybe it’s because I’m hungry. Every stomach rumble of mine causes the earth to quake and Mrs. Francis to give me the evil eye and everyone else to look in my direction as if flatulence—not hunger—were my problem. All I know is that John is going to be my new BFF. Maybe he’s not so bad after all. Besides, I could use a little celestial glow—whatever that is. ACTIVITY 1. What is the irony of this situation? 2. Quote several instances to prove your conclusion. 104 The Writing Teacher’s Activity-a-Day Copyright © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. ‘‘After figuring the square root of pi, multiply your answer by 4/5 × 20/9 to the nth power and subtract the distance from the earth to the moon.’’
