Irony
Introduction & Activities
In your journal:
As best you can, define in your own words the
meaning of the word “irony.”
OR
Write about an ironic situation that you or
someone that you know experienced. What
made it ironic?
Discuss.
What is irony?
Irony deals with opposites:
 The use of words to express
something different or opposite to
their meaning, often for
humorous effect
 Contradiction between what is
expected and what actually
occurs
For example…
Explain the irony.
Explain the irony.
Explain the irony.
Types of Irony
 Situational irony:
something
happens that directly contradicts
strong expectations
 Verbal irony:
words are used to
“say” the opposite
 Dramatic irony:
the reader or
audience knows something a
character or speaker does not
Situational Irony:
when the opposite of what
is expected happens
Example:
Why is this situational irony?
Situational Irony:
when the opposite of what
is expected happens
Example:
Why is this situational irony?
Situational Irony:
when the opposite of what
is expected happens
Example:
Why is this situational irony?
Verbal Irony: Saying the opposite
of what is meant
Examples:
 During a torrential rainstorm:
“Beautiful
weather, isn’t it?”
 When learning you have to work on a paper
all weekend: “Can’t wait!”
 After falling into a puddle and getting
covered in mud: “Boy, do I feel pretty right
now!”
 After eating a huge, 10-course feast:
starving. What’s for dinner?”
“I’m
Verbal Irony: Saying the
opposite of what is meant
Example:
Why is this verbal irony?
Verbal Irony: Saying the
opposite of what is meant
Example:
From: Mean Girls
To view clip, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmSBrmgdKts
Why is this verbal irony?
Dramatic Irony: when
you know something a
character does not
 Increases the tension of a scene and
our attention and involvement
 Example: in horror movies when
an unsuspecting teenager is about
to enter a room where the
homicidal maniac is lurking, and
you want to shout, “DON’T GO IN
THERE!!!”
Dramatic Irony: when you know
something a character does not
Example:
From: The Dark Knight
To view clip, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWr5oApJlgw
Why is this dramatic irony?
Review:
Types of Irony
 Situational irony:
something
happens that directly contradicts
strong expectations
 Verbal irony:
words are used to
“say” the opposite
 Dramatic irony:
the reader or
audience knows something a
character or speaker does not
Review: Irony type?
Situational Irony
Review: Irony type?
 In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo
thinks Juliet is dead (though
the audience knows she is
not) and then kills himself as
a result.
Dramatic Irony
Review: Irony type?
(Sign on National Telemarketers Association window
warns “Absolutely No Soliciting”)
Situational Irony
Review: Irony type?
 In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Mark
Antony repeatedly says in his funeral
speech for Caesar: "Yet Brutus says
he was ambitious; and Brutus is an
honorable man.” However, what he is
really implying is that Brutus is
dishonorable.
Verbal Irony
Review: Irony type?
Situational Irony
Review: Irony type?
 A teacher advises a very popular
student who is failing the class,
“Don’t let your school work get in
the way of your social life.”
Verbal Irony
Review: Irony type?
Situational Irony
Review: Irony type?
“Thank you for this ticket,
Officer. You just made my
day.”
Verbal Irony
Review: Irony type?
In a movie, the protagonist,
a marriage counselor, gets a
divorce.
Situational Irony
Review: Irony type?
“My walk home was a mere
twelve miles.”
Verbal Irony
Review: Irony type?
Situational Irony
CONTEST:
NAME THE POMERANIAN!
Most Ironic Name Wins
Activity: Find and improve the
irony examples
“Ironic,” Alanis Morisette
See handout for lyrics and activity.
To view music video, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jne9t8sHpUc&list=PLBDF44F1B0C8180D3
Close Reading for Irony:
“The Open Window”

Author: Saki (formerly Hector Hugh Munro) (18701916)

Lived in England most his life, journalist

Known for his short stories noted for their wit, humor and
surprise endings

Most famous for “The Open Window”

Ironic twist to his own life: survives childhood diseases
and a bout of malaria only to be killed at age 45 by a
sniper’s bullet in World War I
Note: This story is widely found in middle and high school textbooks or you can access it in many locations online, such as here:
http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/openwin.html
A copy of the story as well as handouts for the activities here can be also be found on TPT:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Open-Window-Saki-Irony-Close-Reading-Unit-1274530
Close Reading:
“The Open Window”
Instructions: Closely read the story, identifying
three strong examples of irony. Identify the type for
each.
Example of Irony
Type of Irony
Note: Can be used with “The Open Window” Close Reading Activities and Handouts:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Open-Window-Saki-Irony-Close-Reading-Unit-1274530
Activity:
Irony Group Skits
 In small groups, create a short 2-3 minute skit
that incorporates at least one example of each
type of irony.
 Think of a situation in which the audience has
strong expectations, but the opposite
happens. For example—a firehouse that
catches fire.
 Brainstorm, write and rehearse—then perform
the skit for the class.
 Be creative and have fun—costumes, props
and over-the-top acting encouraged!
Note: Can be used with the planning graphic organizer in “The Open Window” Close Reading Activities and Handouts:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Open-Window-Saki-Irony-Close-Reading-Unit-1274530
Irony Skit Rubric
Master
(4-5)
Apprentice
(2-3)
Novice
(0-1)
Content
Skit clearly, accurately
and creatively portrays
all three types of irony.
Skit accurately portrays
all three types of irony.
Skit may incorrectly
portray at least one type
of irony or fail to portray
it at all.
Organization
Skit is clear, well-written
and easy to follow.
Skit is mostly easy to
follow.
Skit may be difficult to
follow in spots or
overall.
Presentation
Presenters are wellprepared, enthusiastic
and engaging. Skit is
clearly rehearsed.
Presenters are mostly
engaging. Skit shows
preparation.
Presenters may lack
enthusiasm, seem
uninvolved or
unprepared. Skit could
use more rehearsal.
Collaboration
Group works together
seamlessly, with all
members contributing
evenly.
Group works together,
with all members
contributing.
Group may show
discord or a lack of
involvement, or the
group is carried by only
one or two members.
Tech Troubles?

If you have any difficulty accessing the video links
provided, it may be because your school blocks
YouTube.

You may instead choose to access the video from a
different location, then embed the video into the
presentation.

You can use a free video converter web site such as
http://keepvid.com/ to easily convert the file to mp4 and
download it to your computer.

Important: be sure to save the video file in the same
folder as the Irony PowerPoint.

Once complete, simply import the video into the
PowerPoint presentation. Under the INSERT tab in the
main menu, scroll down to “VIDEO.”
Feel free to email me at carlamcleod@gmail.com
should you need further assistance.
Thanks for your purchase!
You may also be interested in:
“The Open Window”—Irony & Close Reading Unit
“Story of an Hour”—Chopin, Close Reading and Literary Analysis Unit
“The Monkey’s Paw”—CCSS-Aligned Activities and Prinables
“The Second Coming”—Yeats, Symbolism Lesson (can also be used with Things Fall Apart)
Vocabulary Mega-Pack: Games, Activities, Printables and More
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