Irony

• Irony is a stylistic device used by writers to demonstrate a difference between the appearance of a situation and the reality. This can be exploited to create a variety of effects, including humour and tension.

• There are three main types of irony: dramatic, situational, and verbal. Understanding these forms will help when analysing texts.

• Dramatic irony frequently appears in plays, movies, and literature. In such instances, individuals in the audience know something which the characters in the narrative do not. This knowledge shapes the different meanings the audience and characters assign to the words and/or actions of the characters.

• Situational irony looks at when an expected outcome is very different from what actually occurs. This is when the end result is the opposite of what was initially anticipated.

• Verbal irony, most often associated with sarcasm, occurs when words express something contrary to truth or someone says the opposite of what they really feel or mean. This is frequently confused with sarcasm, but not all instances of verbal irony are sarcastic.

• When identifying irony in a text, consider the context, tone, and message of the piece.

• When you find an ironic circumstance or statement, consider why the writer has used it. What effect are they trying to achieve? What does it add to the plot, setting, characterisation or theme?

• Remember, irony can be hard to express in a written format since it often relies on delivering tone, pulling from shared knowledge or societal expectations, so you may need to read more into the text to truly grasp it.

• It’s great to recognise irony, but it’s also important to be able to articulate its effect - always make sure you thoroughly explain your analyses.