Irony
Mr. Authier
ENG 9
Types of Irony
Verbal Irony
Dramatic Irony
Situational Irony
Verbal Irony is . . .
The contrast between what is said
and what is meant.
Sarcasm
“Nice work, Einstein!”
Dramatic Irony is . . .
The contrast between what the
character thinks is true and what
the reader knows to be true.
You know something the
character(s) don’t.
The killer is hiding in the closest.
Situational Irony is . . .
The contrast between what happens
and what is expected to happen.
When something doesn’t reach its
logical conclusion.
You try to throw a water balloon at your
sister, but it breaks in your hand first.
What type of Irony is it?
 Little Red Riding Hood talks to the
wolf thinking it is her grandmother.
Answer: Dramatic Irony
Why: The character didn’t know
what the reader knew.
What type of irony is it?
Sam told his friend, Eric, that he would
miss the party because he had to go to
his Aunt’s house. Eric replied, “Well,
lucky you.”
Answer: Verbal Irony
Why: Eric does not really consider Sam
to be lucky.
What type of irony is it?
You lost your MP3 player and had to
save up for three months to replace it.
On the day you purchased a new one,
you found your old one in your room.
Answer: Situational Irony
Why: The expected outcome is that you
would never find your old MP3 player.
Review
Verbal Irony:
What is said vs. what is meant
Dramatic Irony:
What the reader knows vs. what the
character knows
Situational Irony:
What happens vs. what is expected