WRITING
Stylistic Devices - Irony
What is irony?
Irony is a figure of speech in which there is a contradiction of expectation between what is said and what is really meant. It is characterized by an incongruity, a contrast, between reality and appearance. There are three types of irony: verbal, dramatic and situational.
Types of irony
- Verbal irony:
It is a contrast between what is said and what is meant - Dramatic irony:
It occurs when the audience or the reader knows more than the character about events. In other words, what the character thinks is true is incongruous with what the audience knows. - Situational irony:
This refers to the contrast between the actual result of a situation and what was intended or expected to happen.
Examples of irony
- His argument was as clear as mud.
- The two identical twins were arguing. One of them told the other: "You're ugly"
- The thieves robbed the police station.
