How to Use Irony (Meaning, Examples & Worksheet)

The meaning of irony

Irony is notorious for being difficult to define precisely. We often know it when we see or experience it, but when asked what irony is, most have trouble defining it.

This guide explains what irony is and what it is not.

The definition of irony

To start off with the OED definition for irony:

A state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what was or might be expected; an outcome cruelly, humorously, or strangely at odds with assumptions or expectations.—OED

Phrased differently, irony is when what we expect would happen in a situation differs sharply from what actually happens. The clash between expectations and reality is sometimes stranger than fiction. Irony is a formidable and highly utilized literary device, but irony happens all the time in real life too.

The 3 Types of irony

The three main types of irony are:

• Dramatic irony
• Verbal irony
• Situational irony

Verbal irony

When someone says something that differs sharply (or is the literal opposite) of what they mean, it’s possible they are using verbal irony. For example, if the weather is nice and someone says, “What great weather we’re having“, they probably mean this sincerely.

On the other hand, if the weather is rainy, cloudy, and gloomy, and someone makes that same comment about the weather being great, it’s unlikely they’re sincere, unless you’re Drew Barrymore, if anyone has seen her TikTok.

The contrast between what the person is saying and what they actually mean constitutes verbal irony. If you’re wondering whether verbal irony is the same as sarcasm, they are similar. Sarcasm usually goes further and has a derisive tone that pokes fun at or mocks someone.

Situational Irony

Situational Irony, also known as irony of fate or circumstance, is what most people have in mind when they imagine what irony is; i.e., the contrast between what’s expected to happen and what in fact happens. A paradigmatic example of situational irony is a fire station burning down from a fire while the firefighters are out responding to another fire. This example comes up a lot to illustrate situational irony when you search “what is situational irony?“

Another example of situational irony is people who post on social media talking about how social media is such a waste of time. Situational irony is commonly used in storytelling and literature to add tension or an element of surprise. A classic example of situational irony exists in the narrative of O. Henry’s short story, The Gift of the Magi.

In The Gift of the Magi, a poor young couple sacrifices their most prized possessions to afford each other the perfect Christmas gifts. The wife sells her luscious locks of hair to a wigmaker so she can buy her husband a gold chain for his pocket-watch.

Unbeknownst to her, her husband sells his gold pocket watch to buy his wife a gold comb. At the end of the story, when both husband and wife reveal the gifts they had gotten for each other, situational irony emerges in that both their gifts are now useless.

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic Irony is when the audience or reader knows something about the events about to take place in the story that the characters themselves do not. This gap in knowledge between the audience and the characters within the story can create feelings of dread and anticipation.

Look up ‘dramatic irony’ online, and 9/10 you’ll get Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Aside from its classic status, it offers a concise display of dramatic irony. The irony of a desperate young lover killing themselves because they’re under the impression that the person they love is dead (obviously, unbeknownst to them, they are not dead).

Reasons we use irony in literature

Irony adds depth and complexity to storytelling and communication. It challenges our assumptions, engages our critical thinking, and (when used effectively) can evoke a breadth of emotions, from humour to utter dread and anticipation. Here are a few reasons irony is a superlative literary device (in our humblest of opinions).

Examples of irony in literature and life:

1. Romeo and Juliet: The tragic ending of the play, where both Romeo and Juliet die because of miscommunication and misunderstanding, is a classic example of dramatic irony.
2. O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi”: In this short story, a couple sacrifices their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, only to discover that their gifts are useless. This is a classic example of situational irony.
3. The Boy Who Cried Wolf: The fable illustrates situational irony when the boy, who falsely cries wolf for fun, later finds himself in real danger, and no one believes him (a lesson to learn, don’t be the boy who cried wolf, also a popular idiom and phrase).

In review: irony

Irony is a literary and rhetorical device that involves a discrepancy between what is expected and what happens. It conveys deeper layers of meaning, humour, tragedy, and/or commentary on a situation.

The main types of irony are verbal, situational, and dramatic irony. These offer a range of possibilities for enriching storytelling and dialogue. Whether in classic literature or everyday conversations, irony is an essential element of language and narrative that adds depth, complexity, and intrigue to the artistic expression of ourselves and the world.

Practice: Types of Irony

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