This document defines and provides examples of different types of irony: situational irony which is when what happens is unexpected, dramatic irony which occurs when the audience knows something characters do not, and verbal irony which is when what is said differs from what is meant. A key example given is the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, which is an instance of situational irony as the bullet that struck Reagan had ricocheted off his vehicle in an unforeseen way.

1. WHAT IS IRONY?
Romeo and Juliet
Act 4

2. Irony
■ It is the difference between what we expect
to happen, and what actually does happen.
– It is often used to add suspense and interest.

3. The Big Picture
Irony
Verbal
Irony
Situational
Irony
Dramatic
Irony

4. Example:
■ In 1981, while standing next to his car,
President Ronald Reagan was hit in the
chest by a bullet fired by John Hinkley Jr.
In fact, Hinkley's bullet completely missed
President Reagan, but then ricocheted off
the car's bulletproof window, and struck
President Reagan in the chest.
How is the passage above an
example of Irony?

5. Definition:
A contrast between what is expected and
what actually happens.
Situational:
Something happens that we wouldn’t expect to
happen.
Example: A fire station burns down.
Dramatic:
the reader knows something the characters do not
Example: Home Alone-We know that Kevin has
planted traps every where, but the thieves don’t!
Verbal:
what is said is different than what is meant
Example:You tell someone to break a leg but you
mean for them to have good luck.
IRONY