Irony Types & Exampes

situational irony

When what happens is the opposite of what is expected to happen

dramatic irony

When we (the audience or reader) knows something a character doesn't know

verbal irony

When what is said is the opposite of what is meant

dramatic irony example

In a television program, a character who thinks she is alone in a room begins to sing along very loudly with the music in her headphones. The audience knows that her friends are in the next room and can hear her.

verbal irony example

Julia arrived late to meet Carey for lunch. "I'm sorry," said Julia. "Were you waiting long?" Carey replied, "Oh, not that long. I had time to finish writing a novel, write thank you letters for all of my birthday presents, and memorized the dictionary. Not long at all."

situational irony example

A zookeeper is afraid of wild animals.

verbal irony example

Rob unpacked his backpack and started getting ready to do his homework. "Wonderful," he said. "I forgot my social studies book at school. That will really help me get this homework finished."

dramatic irony example

In a suspenseful movie, a character runs into a room to escape someone who is chasing him. Only the audience knows that the chaser is already in the room.

verbal irony example

Ralph shuffled back into the classroom after being called to the principal's office. "How did it go?" his friend Mike asked. "Oh," said Ralph, "It went really well. I have detention for two days and I can't go to the school carnival. Lucky me!"

dramatic irony example

Jimmy tells his mom he is late getting home from school because he stayed to help the teacher organize the room. Jimmy's mom has already received a phone call from the school and knows he was late because he had detention.

dramatic irony

In a movie about twin sisters, one sister pretends to be the other. The audience knows about the switch, but the other characters in the movie do not.

dramatic irony example

In the short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe, a man narrates a gruesome tale that he caused, all the while trying to convince the reader that he is not insane. The reader can tell he's insane from his narration.

situational irony example

In the short story, "The Necklace," Matilda learns that the necklace she went into debt to replace is a fake.