IRONYElements of Fiction

Ironic by Alanis Morrisette

TYPES OF IRONYSituation IronyOddness or unfairness of a situation. The

opposite of what is expected happens.

SITUATION IRONY– You break a datewith your girlfriendso you can go to theball game with theguys. When you goto the concessionstand, you run intoyour date who is withanother guy.

SITUATION IRONY– You stay up all

nightstudying for a test.When you go toclass, you discoverthe test is not untilthe next day.

SITUATION IRONYThe fireman’s house

burns downThe teacher’s son

can’t readThe policeman’s wife

is a thiefThe doctor smokes

cigarettes

TYPES OF IRONYDramatic IronyThe audience knows more than the

characters involved.

DRAMATIC IRONY– Have you ever seen a horror movie that has a killer on the loose? You, and the rest of the audience, know that the teenagers should not go walking in the woods late at night, but they think a midnight stroll would be romantic. Needless to say, the teens become the next victims

DRAMATIC IRONY– When watching a talkshow, the audienceknows why a person hasbeen brought on theshow. However, theperson sitting in a chairdoes not know that he isgoing to be reunited witha former lover. This addsto the suspense andhumor of the show.

TYPES OF IRONYVerbal Irony in words. Sometimes it’s

sarcasm. Sometimes is predicting the future unknowingly. Anything said that doesn’t meet pre-conceived ideas.

VERBAL IRONY– You are arguing withyour mother, whoreprimands you forbeing "smart." Yourreply is a sarcastic,"If you think I amsmart, then whywon't you let memake some smartdecisions?"

VERBAL IRONYYour boyfriendshows up in rippedup jeans and astained t-shirt. With asmirk, you say, "Oh!I see you dressed upfor our date. Wemust be going to aposh restaurant."

VERBAL IRONYOn a hot, smoldering

day when passions are running hot, two rival gang members, ready to rumble, look at each other. One says, “Understand the rules?” Sweating profusely, the other says, “Yeah, I’m cool with it.”