Unraveling Irony: Exploring the Power of Contradiction

• English
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

Unravelling Irony: Exploring the Power of Contradiction

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to define irony, identify the three types of irony, and recognise them in texts.

What do you already know about irony?

What is Irony?

Irony is a literary device where the intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words used. It often involves a contrast between what is said and what is meant.

Types of Irony

There are three main types of irony: verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony. Each type involves a different form of contradiction.

Verbal Irony

Verbal irony occurs when a character says something that is the opposite of what they really mean. It often involves sarcasm and can be used for humor or to convey a deeper meaning.

Situational Irony

Situational irony occurs when the outcome of a situation is different from what was expected. It often surprises the audience and can create a dramatic or humorous effect.

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not. This creates tension and anticipation as the audience waits for the characters to discover the truth.

Spotting Irony

Irony can be found in literature, movies, TV shows, and everyday conversations. Look for contradictions between what is said and what is actually happening to identify irony.

Quiz Time!

Test your understanding of irony with this quiz. Identify the type of irony present in each scenario.

Examples of Irony

Explore these examples of irony in famous literary works and popular culture to deepen your understanding of how irony is used to convey meaning and create impact.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.