Irony

General definition
 A contradiction between what is
thought/said/done and reality.
 Situational
 When the opposite of what is expected happens.
 Bell ringer activity
 A person who cuts hair for a living always has a
bad haircut.
 A police officer’s daughter is in jail.
 Preacher’s son is an atheist.
 Medicine that makes you sick.
 Dramatic
 The audience/reader knows something important
that the character did not.

 Romeo doesn’t know that Juliet is dead but we

do.
 The director of the new RJ show us Mercutio’s
gash when the rest of the characters think the
gash is a scratch.
 Verbal Irony
 Saying the opposite of what is meant

 On a wet, cold, and dreary day, you say, “Today

is a beautiful day to go to the beach.”
 Your grandma gives you socks for Christmas and
you say, “Thanks! This is an awesome gift!”
 Verbal Irony is NOT always
sarcasm!
 Sarcasm is meant to injure or be hurtful.
 Verbal Irony is not always meant to be mean.

 Sarcasm: “You look nice today.” to someone who

doesn’t look nice.
 Sarcasm: “You are smart.” to a person who is not
smart.