1
Humor is everywhere, in that there's Irony in
just about anything a human does.
Incorporating Irony

Incorporating VoiceMake Your Writing Come Alive
with Irony
2
What exactly isIrony???
Incorporating Irony

The use of words to convey the opposite of their
literal meaning a statement or situation where
the meaning is contradicted by the appearance or
presentation of the idea.
There are three forms of Irony that are most
commonly used
Verbal Irony
Situational Irony
Dramatic Irony
3
Incorporating Irony
Verbal Irony

This is when the intended meaning of a statement
differs from the meaning that the words appear
to express.
In an example, suppose an employee says to his
boss in a large meeting with all his
co-workers Sir, may I say you are as smart as
Einstein ever was.
But now consider that everyone in the room -
except the boss - knows that the employee has a
dog named Einstein, and that dog was the real
intent of the employee's named reference. This
would be Ironic, because the boss would believe
the employee's statement to be high praise,
whereas everyone else would understand the
statement for the insult it was meant to be.
4
Situational Irony
Incorporating Irony

Sometimes called irony of events, Situational
Irony is most broadly defined as a situation
where the outcome is incongruous with what was
expected, but it is also more generally
understood as a situation that includes
contradictions or sharp contrasts.
An example would be. A man who takes a step
aside in order to avoid getting shaken on by a
wet dog and falls into a swimming pool.
5
Dramatic Irony
Incorporating Irony

Dramatic Irony involves the reader (or
audience) knowing something about what's
happening in the plot, about which the
character(s) have no knowledge. Dramatic Irony
can be used in comedies and tragedies, and it
works to engage the reader, as one is drawn into
what is happening. The audience may sympathize
with the character, who does not know the true
situation. Or, the reader may see the character
as blind or ignorant. The clues may be rather
obvious, but the character may be unwilling to
recognize the truth.
6
Example of Dramatic Irony
Incorporating Irony

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. When
Romeo finds Juliet in a drugged sleep, he assumes
her to be dead and kills himself. Upon awakening
to find her dead lover beside her, Juliet then
kills herself.
7
Example of Dramatic Irony
Incorporating Irony

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles in which Oedipus
searches to find the murderer of the former king
of Thebes, only to discover that it is himself,
which is known to the audience all along.
8
How to use Irony in your writing
Incorporating Irony

Irony at its best is often used to express an
opinion which is considered socially unacceptable
or off-kilter. Many times this opinion is one
which many people hold but are afraid to express.
For example, Mark Twain once said, "Suppose you
were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of
Congress. But I repeat myself.
While most people might not feel comfortable
making fun of elected officials, Twain was able
to present an opinion that many might hold, but
are afraid to express.