Three Types of Irony: Verbal Irony Dramatic Irony Situational Irony

Verbal Irony This is the contrast between what is said and what is meant. Most sarcastic comments are ironic.

Verbal Irony Example: A student talks about blood and guts to his teacher while relating a story and she responds “That’s nice.” Why is it verbal irony: Scenarios with blood and guts are generally the opposite of “nice.”

Dramatic Irony This is the contrast between what the character thinks to be true and what we (the reader) know to be true. 

Dramatic Irony Example: We see Jason (of Friday the 13th) walk into a barn with his machete moments before an unsuspecting young couple ventures into the barn for elicit activities. Why is it dramatic irony: The viewers know that a killer is waiting for the couple in the barn and will likely kill them while the couple is oblivious to the situation.

Situational Irony It is the contrast between what happens and what was expected. Irony of situation is often humorous, such as when a prank backfires on the prankster.

Situational Irony Example: A ship-wrecked man is dying of dehydration, though he is on a small island surrounded by a salt-water ocean. Why is it situational irony: the man is surrounded by the water he thirsts for, but cannot drink it because salt-water will further dehydrate him.

Practice! A man searching for a bible, which has become a rare book, finally finds one, but it is written in braille. Verbal, situational or dramatic irony?

Practice! A boy spills his lunch in his lap and a nearby girl refers to him as a “stud.” Verbal, situational or dramatic irony?

Practice! A monkey with a known deadly virus approaches a little girl who is smiling and appears eager to pet him. Verbal, situational or dramatic irony?

Practice! On Melissa’s wedding day, the brightest point in her life, she says her vows under a dark sky spiked with lightening and booming with thunder. Verbal, situational or dramatic irony?

Practice! A flower shop repaints its exterior walls and invests in new awnings and a large neon sign. Weeks later, a tornado barrels through the shopping district and levels the flower shop. Verbal, situational or dramatic irony?

Practice! A woman is promoted to a job that she has been dreaming about for decades. Leaving work that day she is struck by a taxi while crossing the street and dies. Verbal, situational or dramatic irony?

Practice! Romeo drinks poison upon finding Juliet’s body, killing himself, though Juliet is merely sleeping. She had planned to fool her parents into thinking she was dead so that she could be with Romeo. Verbal, situational or dramatic irony?

Practice! A girl who often keeps to herself and is generally moody is referred to as a “social butterfly.” Verbal, situational or dramatic irony?

Practice! She said her teachers directions were as “clear as mud.” Verbal, situational or dramatic irony?