Literary Terms OMAM Chapter 4

IRONY  Definition: general term for literary techniques that portray differences between appearances and reality, or expectation and result

SITUATIONAL IRONY  Definition: an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience  Irony of the situation; not what any of us expected to happen

VERBAL IRONY  Definition: words are used to suggest the opposite of what is meant  Irony in wording; can be found within dialogue, or it might be a play on words

DRAMATIC IRONY  Definition: a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader or audience knows to be true  The audience knows, but the characters do not.

SYMBOL  Definition: anything that stands for something else  In addition to having its own meaning and reality, a symbol also represents abstract ideas.  Example: A flag is a piece of cloth, but it also represents the idea of a country.  Symbolism is the use of a symbol, typically through emphasis or repetition.