AP LIT - COMEDY TERMS

irony

conveying the opposite of what is expected

dramatic irony

when the reader knows something that the characters in the story do not

situational irony

when the author INTENTIONALLY DECEIVES THE READER

verbal irony

when someone says something that is sharply different from the reality of the situation

understatement

a statement that seems incomplete or less than truthful given the facts

or

is stated with less emphasis than the subject deserves

wit

the clever use of words and meaning

malapropism

the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with a comedic effect

diminution

reduces the size of something in order that it may be made to appear ridiculous

or

in order to be examined closely and have its faults seen close up

exaggeration

something that does happen, but is exaggerated to absurd lengths

also called: hyperbole, inflation or overstatement

exaggeration is employed to…

evoke ridicule

• Through the glorification of a lowly or commonplace subject 

• Or the trivialization of some lofty subject

absurdity

an event, scenario, or topic that seems like it would never realistically happen, but hypothetically could

invective

speech or writing that abuses, denounces, or attacks.

• It can be directed against a person, cause, idea, or system. 

• It employs a heavy use of negative emotive language

juxtaposition

places things of unequal importance side by side

juxtaposition causes can both…

drama and comedy

mock epic

treating a frivolous or minor subject seriously, especially by using the machinery and devices of the epic

epic devices include…

invocations, descriptions of armor, battles, extended similes, etc

dark comedy

a play, movie, etc., having elements of comedy and tragedy, often involving gloomy or morbid satire

comedy of manners

takes the artificial and sophisticated habits and doings of (generally aristocratic or high) society as its general setting and love as its subject

satire

a literary genre that uses irony, wit , and sometimes sarcasm to expose humanity’s vices and foibles, giving impetus to change or reform through ridicule

direct satire

Uses a first person narrator who either:

• directly addresses the reader or another character in the work

• same impact, different answers

indirect satire

satiric effect is achieved not through direct condemnation but rather through modes of presentation and representation

parody

a satiric imitation of a work or of an author with the purpose of ridiculing the author, his ideas, or work

• the purpose of parody is entertainment and amusement, not change. 

• exploits the peculiarities of an author's style

• mocks a trivial subject by presenting it in an exaggerated fashion