IRONY practice

Microsoft's new Chief Executive Officer completes all of her work on an Apple Computer

• Situational Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Dramatic Irony

As the teacher handed back our graded exams, the kid next to me muttered, “Great.”

• Situational Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Dramatic Irony

In Star Wars, the audience knows that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father, but Luke doesn’t learn this until Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

• Situational Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Dramatic Irony

Even though a young couple dreamed of having a wedding amid beautiful flowers and butterflies at a nearby park, they were also worried that rain would ruin the event. Ultimately, they decided to have the wedding at a local banquet hall instead. Sure, the hall wasn’t very pretty, but at least they knew their guests would be comfortable, regardless of the weather. Halfway through the reception on the Big Day, the building’s ceiling sprinklers malfunctioned, drenching the guests and ruining the food and decorations; outside, it was clear and sunny.

• Situational Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Dramatic Irony

In The Truman Show, a 1998 movie starring Jim Carrey, the main character doesn’t realize he’s living inside a TV show, but everyone else around him, including the audience, knows the truth.

• Situational Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Dramatic Irony

On a TV talk show, viewers are told the real reason why a guest has been brought onto the show. He mistakenly thinks he’s there to talk about his job at a coffeeshop, but he’s really there to be gifted a full college scholarship.

• Situational Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Dramatic Irony

Fahrenheit 451, a novel about the dangers of censorship (the banning of books/information), is one of the most-often banned books in the U.S.

• Dramatic Irony

• Situational Irony

• Verbal Irony

Before their televised debate began, one politician sneered, “Good luck,” as her opponent crossed in front of her, walking toward the stage.

• Dramatic Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Situational Irony

Brian, a professional carpenter, was hosting a party at his house when his upstairs deck started to wobble. The wood posts, he later discovered, were being eaten away by termites. He ended up rebuilding the entire structure.

• Situational Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Dramatic Irony

“I’m sorry, sir, but this flight has been delayed by three hours,” the airline clerk explained to my uncle. “Awesome,” he replied.

• Situational Irony

• Dramatic Irony

• Verbal Irony