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20 Irony Examples: In Literature and Real Life

By Millie Dinsdale

Irony occurs when what happens is the opposite from what is expected.

Writers use irony as a literary technique to add humor, create tension, include uncertainty, or form the central plot of a story.

We will be looking at the four types of irony (three common and one uncommon) and providing examples and tips to help you identify and use them in your work.

Quick Reminder of What Irony Is

Irony examples in literature, irony examples in real life, which scenario is an example of irony.

Irony is a rhetorical device in which the appearance of something is opposite to its reality .

There are four main types of irony: verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, and Socratic irony . Socratic irony is not a literary device, and therefore we will not be looking at examples, but it is worth being aware of.

• Verbal Irony is when a speaker says one thing but means something entirely different. The literal meaning is at odds with the intended meaning.
• Dramatic Irony is when the audience knows something that the characters don’t.
• Situational Irony is when what happens is the opposite of what you expect.
• Socratic Irony is when a person feigns ignorance in order to get another to admit to knowing or doing something. It is named after Socrates, the Greek philosopher, who used this technique to tease information out of his students.

Why is irony important to understand? Along with being a key rhetorical device, irony can also be very effective when used correctly in writing.

To demonstrate this fact we have selected ten examples of irony usage from popular literature. Warning: this list includes a few spoilers.

1) The main characters’ wishes in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are a perfect example of situational irony .

The characters go on a quest to fulfill their hearts’ desires and instead of doing so they realize that they already had what they wanted all along. It is unexpected because the reader might assume that all of their desires will be gifted to the four main characters but, in the end, it’s unnecessary.

2) The conclusion between the two primary opponents in The Night Circus contains a large amount of situational irony .

The reader is led to expect that either Marco or Celia will win but, in the end, they both end up working together to keep their creation alive. The competition is not as black and white (pardon the pun) as it initially seems.

3) The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is full of verbal irony . A great example of this is when Dr Jekyll says “I am quite sure of him,” when referring to Mr Hyde.

This is verbal irony because the reader finds out that Hyde is actually Jekyll’s alter ego, so it would be expected that he knows himself well.

4) Shakespeare creates dramatic irony in the prologue of Romeo and Juliet through the line: “A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.”

This well-known example is ironic because the reader knows from the very beginning that their romance will end in death, but they don’t yet know how.

5) Alice’s changing relationship with the Bandersnatch in Alice in Wonderland is situationally ironic .

When we first meet the Bandersnatch, he is ferocious and attempts to harm Alice. When Alice returns his eye, they become friends and the two work together to defeat the Jabberwocky. The audience expects to see an enemy but are instead presented with an ally.

6) George Orwell masters situational irony in Animal Farm through the animals’ endless and fruitless battle to obtain freedom.

All of the animals work together to escape the tyranny of the humans who own them. In doing so they end up under the even stricter rule of the pigs.

7) Roald Dahl’s short story A Lamb to a Slaughter is full of dramatic irony .

A housewife kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb when he asks for a divorce. The police come looking for evidence and unknowingly dispose of it when they are fed the murder weapon for dinner.

8) The repeated line “May the odds be ever in your favor” in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games is verbally ironic .

Everyone from district 1 through 12 can be offered as a child sacrifice and has a 1/24 chance of surviving. Even if they do survive they are then delivered back under the control of the Capitol, so the odds are in nobody’s favor.

9) The disparity between children and adults in Roald Dahl’s Matilda is situationally ironic .

Most of the adults in Matilda’s life are hot-headed, uneducated, and unreasonable, while she as a six-year old is more mature than most of them. The traditional roles of child and adult are unexpectedly flipped on their heads.

10) The hit-and-run in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is situationally ironic .

Daisy Buchanan kills Myrtle when Myrtle runs in front of Gatsby’s car. It is ironic because Myrtle is Tom Buchanan’s mistress but Daisy does not know this. She unintentionally killed her husband's mistress.

Irony works so well in literature because it is so common in real life. Have you ever found yourself saying “well that’s ironic” to a situation in your life?

You could be talking about verbal, situational, or dramatic irony. Let’s take a look at a few everyday examples of each type.

11) When you find out that your pulmonologist (lung doctor) smokes.

This is situationally ironic because you’d expect this doctor of all people to avoid smoking because they understand all of the risks.

12) When someone falls over for the tenth time while ice-skating and says “I meant to do that.”

This person cannot be intending to fall over all the time but they are using verbal irony to make light of a possibly painful situation.

13) Your dog eats his certificate of dog-training obedience.

You would expect that in the process of having obtained an obedience certificate, the dog would also have learnt not to eat random objects. This is an example of situational irony .

14) The fire hydrant is on fire.

This is situationally ironic because the last thing that you would expect to be on fire is the object that is designed to fight fires. A similar example to this would be if a fire station were on fire.

15) A girl is teasing her friend for having mud on his face but she doesn’t know that she also has mud on her face.

From the point of view of the friend, this is an example of dramatic irony because he knows something that she does not.

16) Your mom buys a non-stick pan but has to throw it away because the label is so sticky she cannot get it off.

You would predict that the pan was completely non-stick but are proven wrong at the first hurdle, which is situationally ironic .

17) When someone crashes into a “thank you for driving carefully'' sign.

The vision of a car crashed into the sign makes it clear that they did not drive carefully at all, which is situationally ironic .

18) Buying your English teacher a mug that reads “your the best teacher ever.”

The poor English teacher may feel like they have failed in their job in this situationally ironic situation where their student has bought them a mug with a grammar mistake.

19) When a child says “I want crisps now!” and the parent says: “Thank you so much for using your good manners.”

The child is being impolite and the parent is not actually congratulating the child on their manners in this example of verbal irony . They mean the exact opposite.

20) You can’t open your new scissors because you don’t have any scissors to cut through the plastic.

This example of situational irony is far too common. In buying scissors, it can be expected that you do not have any, so it is ironic that the packaging is designed for someone who already has a pair.

Are you ready for a quick quiz to test your knowledge of irony? The test is split into the three types of irony.

Which of These Are Examples of Situational Irony?

1) A police station is robbed.

2) A child loses his rucksack after being told to take care not to lose it.

3) A person eats sweets while preaching about healthy eating

Only 1) and 3) are examples of situational irony. Sentence 2) is not a situational irony example because it could be expected that the child might lose the rucksack and that is why they were told to take care.

It would, however, be ironic if he subsequently lost his “Most Organized in 2nd Grade” certificate five minutes after being awarded it.

Which of These Are Examples of Verbal Irony?

1) Saying “The weather is lovely today” while it is hailing.

2) “Wow that perfume is so lovely, did you bathe in it?”

3) Saying “Thank you so much for your help” after someone has crushed your new glasses while helping to look for them.

Only example 1) is verbally ironic, the other two are sarcastic comments.

Verbal irony and sarcasm are often confused but there is one big difference between them: verbal irony is when what you say is the opposite of what you mean while sarcasm is specifically meant to embarrass or insult someone.

Which of These Are Examples of Dramatic Irony?

1) A small ship without life boats is stuck in a monumental storm in the middle of the Atlantic.

2) Three characters are killed and a fourth seems to be going the same way.

3) A girl walks down the same alley we have just seen a known murderer walk down.

Only option 3) is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that the murderer is down the alley but the girl does not.

Although the other two examples are undeniably dramatic, there is no inherent irony because the audience has no more knowledge about what will happen than those involved.

Why Should You Use Irony in Your Writing?

Irony can be an effective tool to make a reader stop and think about what has just happened.

It can also emphasize a central theme or idea by adding an unexpected twist to the events of the story.

What brilliant examples of irony in literature have we missed? Share your favorites in the comments.

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Millie Dinsdale

Millie is ProWritingAid's Content Manager. Aa an English Literature graduate, she loves all things books and writing. When she isn't working, Millie enjoys adding to her vast indoor plant collection, dancing, re-reading books by Daphne Du Maurier, and running.

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20 Irony Examples from Classic Literature

Learning how to define irony and studying irony examples from literature can make your writing more impactful.

Irony is a type of figurative language or literary device that happens when the speaker or writer uses words to express something that is the opposite of the literal meaning. It gets the reader to stop and take a closer look at what the writer said. Irony happens often in real life as well, and strong writers need to understand how to use it.

To better understand this literary device, writers can look at irony examples in popular works of literature. 

Irony Examples Highlighting Three Main Types of Irony

Examples of irony in literature, 1. harry potter by j. k. rowling.

• 2. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

3. “Messy Room” by Shel Silverstein 

• 4. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

5. The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

6. great expectations by charles dickens, 7. the necklace by guy de maupassant, 8. a modest proposal by johnathan swift, 9. pride and prejudice by jane austen, 10. the rime of the ancient mariner by samuel taylor coleridge, 11. julius caesar by william shakespeare, 12. “the cask of amontillado” by edgar allan poe.

• 13. Lemony Snicket: An Unauthorized Autobiography by Lemony Snicket 

14. Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

15. romeo and juliet by william shakespeare, 16. macbeth by william shakespeare .

• 17. Othello by William Shakespeare
• 18. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

19. A Doll’s House by Henrick Ibsen

20. “my last duchess” by robert browning, a final word on irony examples, what is the definition of irony, what are some other forms of irony.

Irony can show up in literature in many ways. If the author has an incongruity between the written word and the intended meaning, it is likely an example of irony. Still, irony tends to fall into one of three main categories:

• Situational irony  – This occurs when the opposite of what is expected to happen occurs, such as taking an umbrella on a day that ends up being sunny and bright.
• Verbal irony  – This occurs when what a speaker says is the exact opposite of what the speaker means, such as when someone says “it’s such a beautiful day” on a rainy day.
• Dramatic irony  – This occurs when the audience or reader knows what is ironic in the situation, but the character does not, such as when Snow White innocently eats an apple the reader knows is cursed.

Check out our guide on how to define premise in literature .

To further understand the different types of irony, take a look at these examples of irony in classic literature. Our selection crosses many book genres .

Remember, reading a book is different to understanding how the author created it. If you need help, we also cover how to analyze a book .

Examples of Situational Irony

Situational irony is a common literary device used to make writing more interesting, as these examples show:

Throughout the Harry Potter books, Professor Snape expresses his dislike of the main character because of popularity and fame. This is situational irony because it was Snape’s actions before the start of the books that jump-started the boy’s fame.

• Philosopher's Stone
• School Days

2.  The Gift of the Magi  by O. Henry

This short story is a classic example of tragic irony that is also situational. When the main characters lovingly sell their most treasured possessions to buy something for their lover, only to discover that the item they bought is unusable because of that sale, the reader is left to ponder what sacrificial love looks like.

• Hardcover Book
• Henry, O. (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 40 Pages - 09/09/2008 (Publication Date) - Candlewick (Publisher)

In this classic children’s poem, the speaker waxes eloquently about how messy a child’s room is. At the very end, the poet reveals that it is, in fact, the speaker’s room in an example of situational irony.

4. The Wizard of Oz  by L. Frank Baum

Throughout this classic children’s book, the characters show situational irony. Dorothy travels to see the Wizard to get home, only to find she had the power to do so on her own, while the other characters ask for character qualities, like courage or brains, that they already had. 

• Baum, L. Frank (Author)
• 147 Pages - 02/05/2021 (Publication Date) - East India Publishing Company (Publisher)

This ironic tale tells of the main character who hears that her husband has died. She starts to imagine what her life of freedom will look like. When she returns home in just an hour, she finds him alive and well, shocking herself and the reader.

• Chopin, Kate (Author)
• 32 Pages - 07/26/2024 (Publication Date) - Perfection Learning (Publisher)

In this story, the audience and Pip do not know who the benefactor is, and the story makes it seem that Miss Havisham is the benefactor. When the true benefactor, Magwich, is revealed, it clashes with the beliefs of the audience and main character in a classic example of situational irony.

• Dickens, Charles (Author)
• 328 Pages - 12/04/2020 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)

Here, the main character borrows jewelry from a wealthy friend, only to lose the necklace. She spends a fortune to replace the jewels, putting herself in a destitute situation. in the end, she learns the jewels she replaced were actually fake costume jewelry.

• Guy de Maupassant (Author)
• 128 Pages - 02/05/1992 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)

Examples of Verbal Irony

Verbal irony comes in the form of written or spoken statements that have a completely different meaning. This can often be similar to sarcasm. Here are some examples: 

This essay shows an example of verbal irony when the author starts by earnestly pleading for the plight of destitute children in America, only to twist the writing to imply that children should be healthy enough to be cooked and eaten. Though the author was not actually advocating for cannibalism, this use of verbal irony gets the attention of the reader to make them think about the social issue at hand. 

• Swift, Jonathan (Author)
• 25 Pages - 11/20/2020 (Publication Date) - East India Publishing Company (Publisher)

In her iconic novel, Jane Austen opens with a verbally ironic statement, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Austen specifically structured the sentence to make the reader think about whether or not the man wants a wife, or he has a fortune because he does not have one.

• Great product!
• Jane Austen (Author)
• 448 Pages - 12/31/2002 (Publication Date) - Penguin Books (Publisher)

In the famous line “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink,” Coleridge provides use of irony that is one of the most iconic in literature. While the character is dying of thirst, he is surrounded by water he simply cannot drink.

• Coleridge, Samuel Taylor (Author)
• 100 Pages - 10/01/2018 (Publication Date) - Digireads.com Publishing (Publisher)

In this play, Mark Antony says, “But Brutus says he was ambitious, And Brutus is an honorable man.” In fact, Antony is implying that Brutus is not ambitious nor honorable with this sneaky statement. 

• Shakespeare, William (Author)
• 110 Pages - 02/22/2016 (Publication Date) - Digireads.com (Publisher)

In this poem, unsuspecting Fortunato is being led to his death by an acquaintance, Montresor. Montresor comments on Fortunato’s cough, to which he replies “I shall not die of a cough.” This is true, but also ironic because Montresor intends to kill Fortunato at the end.

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13 . Lemony Snicket: An Unauthorized Autobiography by Lemony Snicket 

Lemony Snicket is a master at using verbal irony. One statement from this book says:

Today was a very cold and bitter day, as cold and bitter as a cup of hot chocolate if the cup of hot chocolate had vinegar added to it and were placed in a refrigerator for several hours.”

Obviously hot chocolate is neither cold nor bitter, and that is what makes this statement so ironic.

• Snicket, Lemony (Author)
• 240 Pages - 05/06/2003 (Publication Date) - HarperCollins (Publisher)

In Pygmalion , Professor Higgins says, “I swear! I never swear. I detest the habit. What the devil do you mean?” In this statement, immediately after saying he hates swearing, he says, “What the devil,” which at the time was considered a swear word.

• George Bernard Shaw (Author)
• 96 Pages - 10/20/1994 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)

Examples of Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience is aware of a plot twist the characters are not, and this drives the plot along. Here are some examples:

Shakespeare was excellent at weaving dramatic irony into his plays, and  Romeo and Juliet  is a classic example of dramatic irony. When Romeo poisons himself, thinking Juliet is dead, the audience knows the tragic reality that she is just drugged. This is also a form of tragic irony as the end result is heartbreak.

• 92 Pages - 02/15/2021 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)

In Macbeth , Duncan expresses his complete trust in Macbeth, even though the audience knows that witches prophesied that Macbeth would kill the king to take his place. When the king says:

“He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust”

The audience knows better.

• 304 Pages - 07/01/2003 (Publication Date) - Simon & Schuster (Publisher)

17.  Othello  by William Shakespeare

Another example from the great English playwright, Othello shows dramatic irony when Iago manipulates the main character, even though the audience knows about the deception. Othello’s trust in the deceptive friend drives the drama forward.

• William Shakespeare (Author)
• 314 Pages - 07/01/1993 (Publication Date) - Simon & Schuster (Publisher)

18.  Oedipus Rex  by Sophocles

In Oedipus Rex , the main character attempts to solve a riddle by exposing the murderer of King Laius. Unbeknownst to him, but known to the audience, Oedipus himself is the killer. 

• Sophocles (Author)
• 64 Pages - 06/01/1991 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)

In A Doll’s House , Nora, the main character, is striving to pay her debt to attain freedom. Yet the audience quickly sees that the freedom she craves is actually a type of bondage, and that is the irony of the story.

• Henrik Ibsen (Author)
• 80 Pages - 02/21/1992 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)

In this poem, a duke describes his former wife who died of what the reader believes to be natural causes. However, throughout the poem, he reveals clues that he actually murdered her out of jealousy.

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Looking at examples of irony in high school or college literature class can help you become a better writer. By incorporating irony in your own fiction writing , you can improve the impact of your writing. This literary technique gets people to think, and that makes writing work.

If you like this article, check out our guide to symbolism in literature .

FAQs About Irony Examples

Irony is  defined as  “the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning.”

In addition to verbal, situational, and dramatic irony, writers may use: 1. Socratic irony  – This form of irony occurs when a character feigns ignorance in order to get the other person to reveal their knowledge. 2. Cosmic irony  – Common in Greek plays, this irony occurs when a god figure intervenes to create an ironic situation. 3. Tragic irony  – This is a form of dramatic irony when the ironic situation creates a tragedy.

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The Best Short Stories for Teaching Irony

Teaching irony but don’t know where what texts to use? Short stories to the rescue! Here’s my roundup of 11 engaging short stories for teaching irony in secondary ELA that are sure to captivate even your most reluctant readers.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years of dealing with reluctant readers, students are suckers for a good plot twist. And that gives me the upper hand when teaching irony in secondary ELA.

Of course, irony is about more than endings that leave readers saying, “OMG, I didn’t see that coming.” Some plot twists are only so for the characters in the story while the reader is aware of the situation all along. In other cases, irony appears in the author’s carefully selected words.

Regardless of how an author employs irony in their writing, one thing cannot be denied: irony is a powerful literary device. My favorite way to teach irony? Short stories, of course! That’s why I’ve dedicated this post to sharing why I recommend using short stories for teaching irony and giving you a list of stories perfect for getting the job done. But, first, let’s take a step back and review the basics of irony in literature.

What is Irony in Literature?

In the simplest of terms, literary irony is a rhetorical technique that involves a stark contrast between what is expected t o happen and what actually does happen, disrupting the reader’s expectations. Suddenly, the reader is left to reconsider their assumptions and interpretations. Cue the critical thinking!

Authors use irony to add a sense of conflict or suspense in their writing. It can be used to spark empathy for a character or add a touch of humor. By highlighting disparities between expectation and reality, authors can skillfully enhance character and thematic development. No matter how it is used, irony adds layers of complexity and depth to a story, giving your students plenty to think about and discuss!

What are the Three Main Types of Irony in literature?

Before diving into using short stories to teach irony, it’s important to ensure students understand the three main styles of irony: 

• Situational Irony is when something happens that sharply contrasts what was anticipated or intended. In other words, it’s when you expect one thing to happen only to be surprised when the opposite occurs. To help students spot situational irony, have them look for unexpected plot twists or events that challenge conventional expectations.
• Dramatic Irony is when a reader knows something that a character in the story does not. Cue the building of suspense and anticipation! The readers is privy to information that the characters remain unaware of, creating a sense of tension as the plot unfolds. To help students identify dramatic irony, encourage them to look for instances where the audience’s knowledge differs significantly from that of the characters.
• Verbal Irony refers to when words are used to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. This usually results in humor or sarcasm as authors highlight discrepancies between what is said and what is meant. Ironically (see what I did there?) verbal irony is the type of irony that students are most familiar with–without even realizing it! So, to help them recognize it in literature, instruct them to pay close attention to the context, tone, and intention behind the speaker’s words.

11 Engaging Short Stories for Teaching Irony in Secondary ELA

It’s time to put those definitions of irony to good use! Consider using the short stories below to teach irony to your students: 

1. “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury

Students love this chilling tale of the Hadley family and their (ironically named) “Happylife Home.” The story’s unexpected ending begs some intriguing and highly relevant questions. How much technology is too much? What would happen if our love for and dependence on technology were to backfire? This story serves as a powerful example of situational irony as Mr. and Mrs. Hadely’s attempt to protect their children from the negative influence of technology completely backfires.

2. “Click Clack the Rattle Bag” by Neil Gaiman

Another eerie short story with an ironic plot twist of an ending? Coming right up! On the surface, this story appears to revolve around a rather mundane conversation between a man and a young child during bedtime. While the child admits to being afraid of the “click clack” sounds from the monsters in their closet, the reader realizes that the child may not be so innocent after all and that the adult may be in grave danger. While the story’s ending leaves the adult protagonist’s fate ambiguous, the situational irony cannot be denied!

3. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

Della and Jim, a young married couple, each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a Christmas gift for the other. After all their efforts, they realize their gifts are useless due to the sacrifices they each made. Cue the situational irony! In an ironic twist, Della and Jim’s loving and selfless acts lead to an awkward yet sweet gift exchange.

4. “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant

The joke is on the main character, Mathilde Loisel, in this story! She borrows an expensive necklace from her wealthy friend in hopes of fitting in at a fancy party—and it works! All is swell until she loses the piece of jewelry. After spending years paying for a replacement, she learns that the exquisite diamond necklace that made her feel on top of the world was a fake. Talk about situational irony and a tough lesson for Mathilde Loise!

5. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

The irony begins with the title itself, as the story that unfolds has a more Hunger Games vibe than Who Wants to Be a Millionaire . Students will be shocked by what the winner in this small town’s annual lottery gets in return for their “good” fortune. Jackson masterfully employs all types of irony in this one! It’s definitely worth a close reading.

6. “Charles” by Shirley Jackson

Jackson shows off a lighter, more humorous side of irony with this short story, making it a perfect contrast to “The Lottery.” In the story, young Laurie tells his parents about his classmate who does nothing but engage in mischief and cause trouble. It isn’t until Laurie’s parents attend a parent-teacher conference that the situational irony is revealed—the infamous student is none other than Laurie’s “alter ego,” whom he calls Charles.

7. “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O’Henry

In O’Henry’s story, two thieves kidnap a 10-year-old boy, hoping to receive a two thousand dollar ransom. Instead, they find themselves dealing with a real pain in the butt. In fact, the boy becomes such a handful that they agree to pay his father to take him back. The fact that the kidnappers’ plan completely backfires has situational irony written all over it!

8.  “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs

At first, the White family is thrilled by the idea of having a magical monkey’s paw with the power to grant them three wishes. However, they quickly learn the meaning of “Be careful what you wish for.”  After ignoring the warnings of the paw’s powers, the Whites find themselves living more of a nightmare than a dream. As the story builds toward its suspenseful (and unfortunate) ending, students can experience Jacobs’ use of situational irony in full force!

9. “The Landlady” by Roald Dahl

A young man checks into a quaint bed and breakfast run by a friendly, albeit slightly eccentric, landlady—what could go wrong? As the young man takes notice of the landlady’s fascination with taxidermy, readers begin to catch onto the situational and dramatic irony Dahl intertwined in the story. While the landlady appears warm and welcoming, her sense of hospitality is nothing but a cover for her true (and rather creepy) intentions. As it turns out, the landlady is hiding a dark secret, and the young man is about to meet his (unfortunate) fate.

10. “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty

Set during the Irish Civil War, the protagonist, a Republican sniper, engages in an intense (and, ultimately, deadly) rooftop battle with an enemy sniper. In the wake of his victory, the Republican sniper discovers that the enemy sniper was his brother. While the story serves as a powerful commentary on the devastating nature of war, it also showcases a strong example of situational irony. This story will have even your most reluctant readers on the edge of their seats until the very end when the protagonist realizes he killed his own flesh and blood.

11. “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe

A classic Poe story for a classic example of dramatic and situational irony! As an unnamed narrator details the murder they committed to the reader, they swear by their sanity as they (ironically) slip deeper into guilt-ridden madness. While the narrator may not be able to face the facts, the truth is written on the wall for the reader very early—and only continues to become more obvious as the story unfolds. Ultimately, the sound of the victim’s heartbeat consumes the narrator, leading to their confession to the police.

Whether you choose one or several of the titles above, these short stories offer the opportunity to engage students in analyzing the impact and effect of literary irony. And who knows? You may just experience a plot twist of your own as even your most reluctant readers enjoy the irony these short stories offer.

Ready, Set, Start Using Short Stories for Teaching Irony!

Teaching irony encourages students to become stronger readers, more critical thinkers, and, in turn, better writers. However, no matter which texts you use, teaching irony helps boost students’ critical thinking and analysis skills. However, I have found that short stories are a great tool for encouraging active reading and analysis while keeping students engaged. If you’ve made it this far, I hope you’re as excited about using short stories for teaching irony as I am!

Using short stories as teaching tools provides an engaging and accessible way to introduce students to irony. Not only will these ironic short stories keep students engaged, but they will lay the foundation for students to have a deeper appreciation for storytelling and author’s craft .

Looking for more? Read all about how to teach irony here.

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Definition of Irony

Common examples of irony, verbal irony, situational irony, examples of irony in plot, real life examples of irony, difference between verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony, writing irony, plot device, method of reveal, difference between irony and sarcasm, use of irony in sentences, examples of irony in literature, example 1:  the necklace (guy de maupassant).

“You say that you bought a necklace of diamonds to replace mine?” “Yes. You never noticed it, then! They were very like.” And she smiled with a joy which was proud and naïve at once. Mme. Forestier, strongly moved, took her two hands. “Oh, my poor Mathilde! Why, my necklace was paste. It was worth at most five hundred francs!”

Example 2:  Not Waving but Drowning  (Stevie Smith)

Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning .

Example 3:  A Modest Proposal (Jonathan Swift)

A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter .

Example 4: 1984 by George Orwell

War is Peace ; Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength .

Synonyms of Irony

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Last updated on Nov 03, 2022

3 Types of Irony: Tell Them Apart With Confidence (+ Examples)

Irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens. In writing, there are three types of irony — verbal, situational, and dramatic.

• Verbal irony is when a person says one thing but means the opposite;
• Situational irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens; and
• Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that characters do not.

The term “irony” comes from the Greek word eironeia , meaning "feigned ignorance," and many storytellers of all stripes like to employ different forms of irony as the central conceit in a plot.

To help you make heads or tails of this technique, this article will dig into the three common types of irony.

1. Verbal irony

Verbal irony is where the intended meaning of a statement is the opposite of what is actually said. People and literary characters alike use it to express amusement, emphasize a point, or to voice frustration or anger. In literature, verbal irony can create suspense, tension, or a comic effect. 

Verbal irony is actually the type of irony most used in everyday conversation, and can take the form of sarcasm — which is almost always used to denigrate someone or something. Regardless, the two are not the same thing, though many people conflate the concepts. 

To illustrate, here are a few common phrases that perfectly exemplify how verbal irony works — many of them similes comparing two entirely unlike things:

• "Clear as mud."
• "Friendly as a rattlesnake."
• "About as much fun as a root canal."

Understating and overstating

Broadly speaking, verbal irony works by either understating or overstating the gravity of the situation. 

An ironic understatement creates contrast by undermining the impact of something, though the thing itself will be rather substantial or severe. For example, in The Catcher in the Rye , Holden Caulfield casually says, "I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." Of course, Holden is lying here, which is why he can be so cavalier — and the nonchalant way he downplays something as serious as a brain tumor is ironic.

On the other hand, an ironic overstatement makes something minor sound like a much bigger deal to emphasize a quality it lacks. For example, say you win $5 in a lottery where the grand prize is $100 million. A friend asks you if you won anything, and you say, "Yeah, total jackpot" — that's an ironic overstatement.

💡 Note: Don’t confuse ironic overstatements with hyperbole , which are exaggerated statements . If a character says "I'm so tired, I could sleep for a million years,” and they are genuinely tired, that isn’t ironic — just exaggerated.

Highlighting a fallacy

Verbal irony is often used for satirical purposes, exaggerating or underplaying descriptions to reveal a deeper truth. Viewed through a lens of overstatement or understatement, the reader can see how flawed the original concept might be.

Verbal irony can be found in the very first lines of Romeo and Juliet (a play riddled with irony).

Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

Though the first line may sound respectful, we can see by the end of this verse that Shakespeare doesn’t actually mean to say that both households are alike in their great dignity. Instead, these lines imply the total opposite — that both households are equally un dignified. This irony also serves another purpose: notifying first-time readers that not all that glitters is gold. While both families might technically be considered nobility, their shared inability to act nobly toward one another ultimately leads to a bitter end for our tragic heroes.

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Providing insight into characters

Dialogue is an incredible tool for revealing what a character is like as how they choose to say something can speak volumes about who they are. Very often, people who use verbal irony tend to be highly self-aware.

For example, in Casablanca, the corrupt (yet charming) police captain Louis Renault follows instructions from German officials  to order a raid on Rick's nightclub under the pretext of closing an illegal gambling den. "I'm shocked — shocked! — to find that gambling is going on in here!" Renault exclaims while thanking Rick’s croupier for bringing him his winnings. This knowing overstatement of 'shocked' reveals a lot about his cheerfully cynical worldview.

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Creating a comic effect

Of course, verbal irony can also be used for a simple comic result. Whether it's to highlight a witty character, lighten tension during a dark or difficult scene, or just to make people laugh, verbal irony can provide a much-needed moment of humorous relief. As you might expect, verbal irony is a common joke component.

For example, in Notting Hill , when love interests Anna and Will first meet at his bookshop , he confronts a man who’s trying to steal a book, and very politely threatens to call the police. When he returns to the till to help Anna, she hands over the book she’d like to buy and says “I was gonna steal one, but now I’ve changed my mind.” Obviously, the statement isn’t true — she’s using verbal irony to make light of the situation, diffusing awkwardness and showing her friendly inclination.

2. Situational irony

In literature, situational irony is a literary or plot device occurring when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. You can use it to create suspense, humor, and surprise in your writing.

You can think of it as “the irony of events” to distinguish from the other types of irony, but it is not the same as coincidence or bad luck (apologies to Alanis Morrisette ). If you buy a new car and then accidentally drive it into a tree, that is coincidental and unlucky, but not ironic. However, if a professional stunt driver crashes into a tree on their way home from receiving a "best driver" award, that is situationally ironic. 

Within the context of a story, why might a writer use situational irony?

Creating a good ol’ fashioned twist

Authors can draw strong reactions from their readers by presenting them with carefully executed twists and turns. A plot twist is all the more delicious when it's the polar opposite of what you'd typically expect. Storylines based on or containing situational irony inherently possess an element of surprise, so they're common in the comedy, thriller, crime, and mystery genres.

In Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest , for example, Jack proposes to Gwendolen under his fake name of Ernest, hoping to share the truth about his name once he’s been accepted. His plan is quickly thwarted when she accepts him because of his name, telling him that her “ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest.” When he asks her what he thinks of “Jack” as a name, she declares that “The only really safe name is Ernest” — so his plan to reveal the truth is suddenly turned on its head, and he resolves to get christened as soon as possible. 

Emphasizing a theme or moral lesson

Steering readers to an unexpected destination in a story can also emphasize a theme or moral lesson — often reminding readers that an expected outcome is not always guaranteed. And because situational irony can urge readers to think twice about their own assumptions, authors often deploy it in fables or morality tales.

In Aesop's 'The Tortoise and the Hare,' for example, the unexpected outcome teaches us that slow and steady wins the race . Or perhaps the real moral is that you shouldn't be complacent and take naps during races.

Situational irony creates a contrast between appearances and underlying truths. When done properly, this can significantly alter a reader's interaction with, expectations of, and insight into a story. But irony must be used with care: without the help of intonation and body language, it requires people to read between the lines to understand its intentions; a reader who doesn’t see the irony will take these words at face value.

3. Dramatic irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or viewer knows something that the characters in the story do not. This can create a sense of unease or anticipation as the audience waits to see how the characters will react to the situation they are in. 

So, to what effect can dramatic irony be used in a story?

Building fear and suspense

When readers or viewers know more than the characters do, they’re often left on pins and needles, waiting for the other shoe to drop or for an inevitable plot point to appear. Will the character discover the secret we already know? What will happen when they find out the truth? What if they find out the truth too late? Subconsciously, all of these questions run through their minds as the story unfolds, contributing to page-turning suspense.

The Hobbit contains a perfect example of dramatic irony — when Bilbo happens upon the ring while lost on a mountain, he puts it in his pocket and soon afterward encounters Gollum.

At this point, readers understand the significance of the ring and its importance to Gollum. However, Gollum does not yet realize he has lost the ring, and Bilbo doesn’t yet know who the ring belongs to. For this reason, the scene where Bilbo and Gollum engage in a game of riddles becomes more stressful for the audience who understands what’s at stake. 

📚 For some truly impressive suspense-building, check out this list of the 50 best suspense books of all time.

Eliciting sympathy for a character

If a character is happy but we know that tragedy lies ahead, we can’t help but sympathize with them. If the reader or audience is already "rooting for" the characters, they will hold on to the hope that things will turn out okay for them. And whatever the end result is — pain or relief —  the reader is likely to feel it twofold.

The audience knew all along! (image: Touchstone Pictures)

In the modern-day Shakespeare adaptation Ten Things I Hate About You , for example, bad-boy transfer student Patrick is paid by his classmate to woo the cold and aloof Kat. The audience knows that Kat will eventually discover the truth. The deception will wound her, and Patrick will (justifiably) lose her trust. This dramatic irony gives the scenes where they fall in love a bittersweet edge, making us sympathize with both characters. 

In fact, many romance tropes rely on dramatic irony, like the hate-to-love trope — just on account of the characters existing in a romance novel, readers know they're going to end up together . This results in that “slow burn” anticipation where readers are dying to see the characters confess their feelings, but have to live with their impatience as the romance slowly runs its course.

Setting up comical misunderstandings

A lot of comedy comes out of misunderstandings — where a character believes something that the audience knows not to be true, or doesn’t yet know something important. The dramatic irony turns into comedic tension as the character obliviously digs themselves (or other characters) into a deeper hole.

To give you an example of how this works: in a season one episode of Friends , Joey tried to win back his ex-girlfriend Angela by arranging a double date. He brings Monica but  tells her that Angela’s new boyfriend, Bob, is actually her brother — making it seem as though Bob is Monica’s date. This misunderstanding turns to hilarious confusion as Monica is creeped out by how 'close' Bob and Angela seem to be.

Want more examples and in-depth explanation of any of these types of irony? We’ve spent some time breaking them down even further in the next posts in this guide — starting with verbal irony.

3 responses

Katharine Trauger says:

08/08/2017 – 05:39

I once received a birthday card telling me that irony is the opposite of wrinkly. But I do have a question: I believe, as you related to Hitchcock and I think about his works, that he used irony extensively, even more than one instance in a piece. It's a lot to remember and I've certainly not examined his works to verify that. However, I wonder if, although his works were beyond successful and loved by many, just how much irony is acceptable in today's writing. I agree it is a great device, but can it be overdone? Also, I am writing a piece which has what I believe an ironic ending. Is that a bad place to put a huge departure from the expected? I think O'Henry did that a lot, like when the man sells his watch to buy combs for his wife, and she sells her hair to buy a chain for his watch... But today, how much is too much and will readers come back for more?

↪️ Jim Morrison replied:

20/06/2018 – 21:42

While irony can be overused, it is not a bad thing to use irony - even to end a book. "Story" by Robert McKee discusses irony as an ending and explains how to use it and when to use it. As to your question about how much irony is accepted in today's society, I would say that it is more acceptable than before. With today's writing - particularly in theater - irony is a heavily used element. Thor: Ragnarok, for example, is dripping with ironic situations. Satire, the personal wheelhouse of Vonnegut and Heller, is not only a highbrow version of sarcasm, it is also heavy on the irony. So I say, personally, be as ironic as you want, just, as mentioned in the blog, be careful you don't overuse it to the point that the use of irony becomes ironic (i.e. you lose the audience). Cheers and happy writing.

Naughty Autie says:

30/05/2019 – 15:37

There is a blog which does not allow comments, yet it's called 'The Conversation'. Funny, I always thought that a conversation always took place between multiple people.

Comments are currently closed.

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Irony Definition

What is irony? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition, don't worry—it is. Irony is a broad term that encompasses three different types of irony, each with their own specific definition:  verbal irony ,  dramatic irony , and  situational irony . Most of the time when people use the word irony, they're actually referring to one of these specific types of irony.

Some additional key details about irony:

• The term "irony" comes from the ancient Greek comic character called the "eiron," who pretends ignorance in order to deceive an opponent. 
• Irony overlaps with, but is not identical to, sarcasm and satire . 
• In the last twenty years or so, the term "ironic" has become popular to describe an attitude of detachment or subversive humor, like that of someone who wears a Christmas sweater as a joke. This more recent meaning of ironic is not entirely consistent with the original meaning of irony (a fact which itself might be described as being somewhat ironic). 

Irony Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce irony: eye -run-ee

Irony in Depth

The term "irony" usually refers to three particular types of irony:

• Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. For example, if someone has a painful visit to the dentist and when it's over says, "Well, that was pleasant," they are using verbal irony because the intended meaning of their words (that it  wasn't at all  pleasant) is the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. Verbal irony is the most common form of irony. In fact it is so common that when people mention "irony," they often are actually referring to verbal irony. 
• Dramatic irony  Is a plot device that highlights the difference between a character's understanding of a given situation, and that of the audience. When the audience watching a movie know what's behind that door, but the character in the movie has no idea... that's dramatic irony. 
• Situational irony  refers to an unexpected, paradoxical, or perverse turn of events. It is an example of situational irony when, in the O. Henry story " The Gift of the Magi ," a young wife cuts off her hair in order to buy her husband a chain for his prized watch, but the husband sells his watch to buy his wife a comb for her beautiful hair. 

Although these three kinds of irony may seem very different at first glance, they all share one important quality: a tension between how things appear and how they really are. For a more in-depth look at each of these devices, please visit their individual pages.

Also, it's worth knowing that sometimes instances of irony don't quite fit into any of these categories, and instead align with the more general definition of irony as something that seems to be one way, but is in fact another way. Put more broadly: sometimes irony is verbal irony, sometimes it's dramatic irony, sometimes it's situational irony, and sometimes it's just irony. 

Irony, Sarcasm, and Satire

Besides the three main types of irony described above, two other literary devices—sarcasm and satire—share a lot in common with irony:

• Sarcasm is a bitter, cutting, or mocking taunt used to denigrate a particular person, place, or thing. It can sometimes take the form of verbal irony. For instance, if you were to say to someone who had just cut you in line, "What a polite, civilized person you are!" that would be sarcasm in the form of irony, since your meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning of your words. Sarcasm very often involves irony. However, it doesn't always have to use irony. For instance, when Groucho Marx says "i never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception," he is being sarcastic, but his words, however witty they are, mean exactly what they say. 
• Satire is a form of social or political critique. Like sarcasm, it often makes use of irony, but it isn't always ironic.

You can get more details on both sarcasm and satire at their specific pages.

Irony Examples

All three forms of irony are used very frequently in literature, theater, and film. In addition, sometimes the irony found in any of these mediums is broader and doesn't fit into any of the specific categories, and is instead just general irony. 

Irony in "The Sell Out"

" The Sell Out " by Simon Rich is a short story recently published in the New Yorker that is full of irony. The story is narrated by a Polish Jew named Herschel, who lives in Brooklyn in the early twentieth century. Herschel accidentally preserves himself in brine for one hundred years, and when he is finally discovered, still alive, in 2017, he is introduced to his great-great-grandson, a young man who lives in present-day Brooklyn. On Herschel's first day, the great-great-grandson Simon tells Herschel about computers. Herschel describes the scene (note that Hershel's English isn't all that great):

It takes him long time, but eventually Simon is able to explain. A computer is a magical box that provides endless pleasure for free. Simon is used to constant access to this box—a never-ending flow of pleasures. When the box stops working—or even just briefly slows down—he becomes so enraged that he curses our God, the one who gave us life and brought us forth from Egypt.

This description is a great example of irony in the most general sense. The humor stems from the disparity between what seems to be true to Herschel (that computers are magic pleasure boxes) and what is actually true (that computers are, well, computers, and that people are kind of stupidly addicted to them). The use of irony is effective here because Hershel's description, as outlandish as it is, actually points to something that is  true about the way people use computers. Therefore, the disparity between "what is" and "what appears to be" to Herschel isn't merely a comical error; rather, it's ironic because it actually points to a greater truth about its subject.

Verbal Irony in Don Quixote

One famously ironic work is Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote .   At one point, the book's narrator states: 

… historians should and must be precise, truthful and unprejudiced, without allowing self-interest or fear, hostility or affection, to turn them away from the path of truth, whose mother is history.

We can identify the above quotation as an example of verbal irony if we consider that the book's hero, Don Quixote, is fundamentally incapable of distinguishing truth from fiction, and any historian of his life would have to follow a double track of reality and fantasy which continuously overlaps, tangles, and flips. One of the most basic premises of the book is that truth is more difficult to identify than it may seem. Therefore, when the narrator vows to follow the single path of truth, he is being ironic; in reality, he believes this to be impossible. 

Dramatic Irony in Othello

The device of dramatic irony is especially well-suited to the theater, which displays constantly shifting sets, scenes, and characters to a stationary audience that, therefore, often has a more complete or "omniscient" perspective compared to any of the characters. One excellent example of dramatic irony can be found in Shakespeare's  Othello . 

Through the play, the audience watches as Iago plots against his commander Othello, and seeks to make Othello believe that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. The audience watches as Iago plots to himself and with others. Sometimes Iago even directly reveals his plans to the audience. Meanwhile, Othello continues to trust Iago, and the audience watches as the the plan they know that Iago is pursuing slowly plays out just as he intended, and Othello eventually murders the entirely innocent Desdemona. The way that the play makes the audience aware of Iago's plot, even as Othello is not, means that the play is full of dramatic irony almost for its entire length. 

Situational Irony in The Producers

In this classic film, two friends come up with a complicated money-making scheme in which they put on a play that they think is absolutely certain to fail. Their plan backfires when the play, entitled "Springtime for Hitler," is so shockingly bad that people think it's a comedy and come to see it in droves. This is an example of situational irony because the outcome is the exact opposite of what the play's producers expected.

Why Do Writers Use Irony?

Irony is a tool that can be used for many different purposes. Though sarcasm and satire are two ways of using irony that are primarily negative and critical, ironic statements can also underscore the fragility, complexity, and beauty of human experience.

• Situational irony often demonstrates how human beings are always at the mercy of an unpredictable universe—and that life can always take an unexpected turn.
• Dramatic irony emphasizes that human knowledge is always partial and often incorrect, while giving the reader or viewer the satisfaction of a more complete understanding than that of the characters.
• In dialogue, verbal irony can display one character's sparkling wit, and another character's thickheadedness. Verbal irony can also create a connection between people who  get  the irony, excluding those who don't.

Ultimately, irony is used to create meaning—whether it's humorous or profound—out of the gap between the way things appear and how they actually are.

Other Helpful Irony Resources

• The Wikipedia page on irony : A helpful overview.
• The dictionary definition of irony : A basic definition, with a bit on the etymology.
• The comedian George Carlin explaining the difference  between situational irony and mere coincidence.
• A site with a helpful index of examples of different types of irony in television, film, video games, and other media.

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How to Write About Irony in a Literary Essay

Irony is used across literary genres to a variety of effects. There are two main steps to writing about irony in a literary essay. First, there’s the definition: You’ll need to recognize irony in the text and figure out what type of irony it is. Second, there’s the interpretation: You’ll comment on how that specific type of irony contributes to the overall meaning of the larger text.

Verbal Irony

In general, you can think of irony as occurring when an outcome undermines someone’s expectations. Verbal irony happens when conversational expectations are undermined. When another person listens to you speak, he usually assumes you’re saying what you mean. If you use verbal irony, you say something that you don’t want a listener to take literally. Sarcasm is one kind of verbal irony: If it’s storming, you might say, “Oh, what perfect weather for a picnic!” but expect your friend to realize that you mean just the opposite. Overstatement ( hyperbole ) and understatement (litotes) are also types of verbal irony. As is probably clear, verbal irony is heavily context dependent -- listeners or readers must know something about the speaker’s situation to interpret it correctly.

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that a character doesn’t know. Usually, this “something” is a crucial piece of information for a decision that the character has to make. (This is the kind of irony that makes you scream at an unsuspecting heroine, “Don’t go out the back door-- the killer’s waiting there!”) For example, in William Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” Romeo finds Juliet in a drugged sleep, but mistakenly believes that she is dead and, in great distress, commits suicide. The gap between Romeo’s perspective -- that Juliet is dead -- and the audience’s perspective -- that Juliet is merely feigning death -- constitutes dramatic irony.

Situational Irony

Situational irony happens when a text’s plot takes a completely different turn than both the characters and the audience expect. For instance, In “Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back,” the story’s hero, Luke Skywalker, learns that the evil Darth Vader is really his father -- and the audience is just as surprised as he is. Situational irony is also sometimes called “cosmic irony” or “irony of fate.”

Interpreting Irony

Once you pinpoint and define irony, in your literary essay, you can show how irony is working to create, reinforce or undermine an overall theme of the text. For instance, in the example of dramatic irony from “Romeo and Juliet,” you could argue that Romeo’s hasty actions in response to his assumption comment on a larger theme of the play: the feud between his and Juliet’s parents. Although we might understand a smitten young lover’s rash decision to join his sweetheart in death, we can contrast his excusable immaturity with the parents’ inexcusable immaturity in holding a grudge that costs many lives. The dramatic irony of the death scene heightens our emotional response to the unnecessary nature of the lovers’ deaths. That emotion then makes us more invested in the play’s resolution, when the feuding families reconcile, and helps us to internalize one of the play’s messages: Bitter hate wounds the hater most deeply. As in all literary essays, make sure to discuss plenty of quotations (here, the ironic passages) as well as the textual and historical context to demonstrate irony’s role in the text as a whole.

• Kansas State University: Critical Concepts: Verbal Irony; Lyman Baker

Elissa Hansen has more than nine years of editorial experience, and she specializes in academic editing across disciplines. She teaches university English and professional writing courses, holding a Bachelor of Arts in English and a certificate in technical communication from Cal Poly, a Master of Arts in English from the University of Wyoming, and a doctorate in English from the University of Minnesota.

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How to Use Irony

Irony can be tough to write because first you have to notice something ironic to write about a situation, which is a kind of insight . That’s also why it’s a fairly impressive writing technique. So the trick is not to practice writing irony but to practice noticing it. Look around you every day, and you will see plenty of ways in which ordinary expectations are contradicted by what happens in the real, unpredictable world.

As you look around for irony, take care to avoid the pitfall of confusing irony with coincidence . Often coincidences are ironic, and often they are not. Think of it this way: a coincidence would be if firemen, on the way home from putting out a fire, suddenly got called back out to fight another one. Irony would be if their fire truck caught on fire. The latter violates our expectations about fire trucks, whereas the former is just an unfortunate (but not necessarily unexpected) turn of events.

Another way of putting it is this: coincidence is a relationship between  facts (e.g. Fire 1 and Fire 2), whereas irony is a relationship between a fact and an expectation and how they contradict each other.

When to use irony

Irony belongs more in  creative writing than in formal essays . It’s a great way of getting a reader engaged in a story, since it sets up expectations and then provokes an emotional response. It also makes a story feel more lifelike, since having our expectations violated is a universal experience. And, of course, humor is always valuable in creative writing.

Verbal irony is also useful in creative writing, especially in crafting characters or showing us their mind and feelings. Take this passage as an example:

Eleanor turned on her flashlight and stepped carefully into the basement. She kept repeating to herself that she was not afraid. She was not afraid. She was not afraid.

Even though the author keeps repeating “she was not afraid,” we all know that Eleanor was afraid. But we also know that she was trying to convince herself otherwise, and this verbal irony gives us additional psychological insight into the character. Rather than just saying “Eleanor was afraid of the basement,” the author is giving us information about how Eleanor deals with fear, and the emotions she is feeling as she enters the basement.

In formal essays , you should almost never  use irony, but you might very well point it out . Irony is striking in any context, and a good technique for getting the reader’s attention. For example, a paper about the history of gunpowder could capture readers’ interest by pointing out that this substance, which has caused so much death over the years, was discovered by Chinese alchemists seeking an elixir of immortality.

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t express your own thoughts by using verbal irony in a formal essay – a formal essay should always present exactly what you mean without tricks or disguises.

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• What Is Irony? | Examples, Types & Definition

What Is Irony? | Examples, Types & Definition

Published on June 20, 2024 by Magedah Shabo .

Irony occurs when events or words are the opposite of what is expected, creating a sense of surprise, humor , or deeper meaning in literature, rhetoric, and everyday situations.

Table of contents

What is irony, 3 types of irony, irony vs sarcasm, frequently asked questions about irony.

Irony involves a clear contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually happens or is expressed. It reveals unexpected outcomes or contradictions that challenge conventional expectations, prompting deeper thought and emotional responses.

As a rhetorical and literary device, irony plays an essential role in enriching narratives, conveying complex ideas, and engaging audiences by adding layers of meaning and nuance to communication and storytelling.

There are three common types of irony:

Situational irony

Verbal irony, dramatic irony.

Situational irony occurs when events starkly contrast with expectations. As a literary plot device, it is often used to emphasize the difference between appearance and reality, surprising the audience and creating memorable plot twists.

The effects of situational irony include provoking thought and evoking a range of emotions, from humor to tragedy. Situational irony can occur in literature, film, and theater to engage audiences and enhance storytelling.

Verbal irony occurs when someone says something dramatically different from what they mean. As a literary and rhetorical device, it is used to convey sarcasm, humor, or criticism by contrasting the literal meaning of the words with the intended message.

The effects of verbal irony include adding layers of meaning, provoking thought, and evoking a range of emotions from amusement to disdain. Verbal irony is commonly found in literature, everyday conversation, and speeches to engage audiences and enhance communication.

Dramatic irony is a plot device that involves revealing information to the audience that some or all of the characters do not know. This technique can create humor, suspense, or emotional impact.

In tragedy, dramatic irony is also called “tragic irony,” and it serves to heighten emotions such as fear, sympathy, or a sense of impending doom. In comedy, dramatic irony often involves humorous misunderstandings.

Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality. It can be situational, dramatic, or verbal.

Sarcasm is a specific type of verbal irony that conveys mockery or disdain by saying the opposite of what one means.

While irony is a technique used in satire, satire is a broad genre that aims to provoke thought and promote change.

• Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, highlighting discrepancies through situational irony, verbal irony , or dramatic irony.
• Satire uses humor , irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize and expose the flaws or vices of individuals, societies, or institutions. It aims to provoke thought and promote change.

An example of irony in literature is in O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” where Jim and Della each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other: Della sells her hair for a chain, and Jim sells his watch for combs.

The situational irony lies in the fact that Jim and Della’s well-intentioned sacrifices make their gifts useless. This irony highlights the idea that the true value of gifts lies in the love and sacrifice they represent.

Socratic irony is the technique of posing simple questions, as if one were ignorant, to expose the ignorance or flaws in others’ arguments. The irony lies in the fact that by feigning ignorance, you can lead people to reveal their own misunderstandings or contradictions, encouraging deeper reflection and critical thinking. This method is a key part of the Socratic method of teaching and dialogue.

Example : In Plato’s dialogues, Socrates questions Euthyphro about the nature of piety. Socrates pretends not to understand what piety is and asks Euthyphro to explain it. Through a series of questions, Socrates exposes the inconsistencies in Euthyphro’s definitions, showing that Euthyphro does not actually understand the concept as well as he claims.

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A List of Short Stories for Teaching Irony in Literature With Lesson Ideas

• Trent Lorcher
• Categories : High school english lesson plans grades 9 12
• Tags : High school lesson plans & tips

Before reading these short stories for teaching irony in literature, you may want to review what irony is. Of all the lesson plans I’ve tried, this one works best .

It works a lot better than the time I got so enthralled with teaching irony in literature that I stayed up all night writing irony lesson plans, all of which had the same purpose: to convince students that everything in life is ironic (except for things in that song by Alanis Morissette, which is ironic).

After not sleeping for three days and accidentally stapling my hand to a bulletin board, I decided the best way to teach irony in literature is to use the following short stories.

Short Stories for Teaching Irony

• Kate Chopin’s “ Story of an Hour ” - First her husband’s dead, which makes her sad but happy. Then her husband’s alive, which kills her. All this takes place in an hour (you may have figured that out from the title). After reading “Story of an Hour,” I started feeling paranoid and plotted to derail a train I was supposed to be on in order to test my wife. The Department of Homeland Security frowns on such activity, so I continued my life as before. Here’s a good “Story of an Hour” lesson plan .
• Isaac Asimov’s “ The Machine that Won the War ” - The ultimate in situational irony as Earth defeats a technologically advanced alien civilization by using the simplest machine ever created – a coin. It’s like the time you got a ‘B’ on your physics test after studying for hours and Donny Dumbbutt got an ‘A’ using a random number generator on the multiple choice and matching sections. Examine statistical anamolies to teach just how ridiculous this victory was. Explain what the odds are of flipping a coin x number of times and coming up with the correct answer each time. For sports fans, look up statistical anamolies in sports: Villanova’s shooting percentage in the 1985 NCAA championship game, the Orlando Magic’s 3-point shooting percentage in the 2009 Eastern Conference NBA Finals, the odds of David Tyree catching a pass with one hand against his helmet in the 2008 Super Bowl, or me finishing first in the 2008 Gran Pheelasco Sprint Triathlon in Boulder City, NV.
• Susan Glaspell’s “ Trifles ” - Yes, I know it’s not a short story. It is, however, a short play with irony. Chauvinistic men don’t learn the mistake of overlooking seemingly unimportant Trifles. If you’ve never read “Trifles” with your class, let me change your mind with this “Trifles” review (Note to male readers: never strangle your wife’s bird).
• Saki’s “ The Interlopers ” - Don’t you hate it when clan leaders sign a peace treaty and get eaten by wolves before they tell anyone else? The “Interlopers” makes for good creative writing lesson plans: (1) rewrite the ending; (2) imitate the story’s style with a modern day update; (3) write about how the story would be different if cell phones had been invented.
• Stephen Crane’s “ The Blue Hotel ” - Don’t you hate it when you accuse someone of wrong doing, hire a private investigator, spread lies on the Internet, causing him or her to commit suicide? In “The Blue Hotel,” the roles are reversed. A man accuses another of cheating at poker and nobody believes him.
• O’Henry’s “ The Ransom of Red Chief ” - Anybody who’s ever babysat a brat can relate to Red Chief’s kidnappers. A prereading discussion on wishing for something, getting it, and wishing you hadn’t makes for an engaging discussion, kind of like the time I begged my Mom to let me open a Christmas present the week before Christmas, her not letting me do it, opening the corner of it when she went to the grocery store, and finding it replaced with coal on Christmas morning.

This post is part of the series: Short Story Suggestions for Teaching The Elements of Literature

A good short story unit begins with good short stories.

• Teaching Conflict in Literature: Short Stories for Teaching Conflict
• Short Stories for Teaching Point of View in Literature
• Irony Lesson Plans: Short Stories for Teaching Irony in Literature
• Teaching The Setting of a Story: Short Stories for Teaching Setting
• Great Short Stories for Teaching Theme in Fiction

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Home Essay Samples Literature

Essay Samples on Irony

A sound of thunder: the importance of a wary treatment of technological progress.

In the short story A Sound of Thunder, author Ray Bradbury’s main argument is that the decisions that may seem irrelevant at first can end up being far more serious than expected. In the story, the main character Eckles, pays $10,000 to travel back in...

• A Sound of Thunder

Exploring the Human Experience in "Looking for Alaska"

Looking for Alaska, a novel written by John Green, explores the intricacies of life and how it shapes us through the experiences of its protagonist, Miles "Pudge" Halter. The novel's themes of love, loss, and friendship are conveyed through various literary techniques, including symbolism, foreshadowing,...

• Literary Devices
• Looking For Alaska

The Real ‘Innocent’ Figures in Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence

Edith Wharton was an American author and Pulitzer Prize winner whose personal life and passion influenced her writing (Cliffsnotes, 2018). Edith Wharton was the author of the novel of ”The Age of Innocence' which was published in 1920. In this novel, many issues were brought...

• The Age of Innocence

The Third-Party Perception of the Society in Good Country People

‘Good Country People’ is comes out as an ironic title that Flannery O’Connor uses a part of the collection of short stories dubbed ‘A good man is hard to find.’ Thus from the overall theme in the short stories depicting the difficulty of finding a...

• Good Country People

The Comparative Analysis Research of O’Connor’s Stories

The O’Connor stories are about showing us the way humanity is with others and mankind’s nature, she explains these in her works. “Most readers characterize clichéd speech as “empty” or “dead” and see the characters’ attempts at communicating by such speech as failed.” Not many...

• Human Nature

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The Use of Verbal and Dramatic Irony in the Poem "Ozymandias"

Besides the poetic devices and smart diction in the poem, irony is also used to give the audience a contrast between the prosperous past and bleak present which emphasizes the futility of arrogance and past grandeur. Ozymandias was once believed as a mighty emperor, the...

The Theme Of Over-Reliance On Technology In “The Veldt”

Theme in a story is its underlying message or big idea which can be expressed in many ways. The Happylife Home is a home with the greatest technology. In “The Veldt”, Ray Bradbury effectively utilizes foreshadowing and irony to simultaneously develop the theme of over-reliance...

• Virtual Reality

The Functions of Humor, Irony and Satire in the Literature of the Shoah

According to a famous quote by Theodor W. Adorno, “Writing poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric”. While this quote is debatable in itself, another question arises concerning the topic which is no less problematic: but what about humor? As a matter of fact, Jewish humor existed...

Analysis of Stylistic Devices Used in Eliot's "Silas Marner"

Introduction One crucial component of any literature text is the associated literary devices used by the author. Stylistic devices, also known as figures of speech, refer to the vital tools of writing that are employed in literary works to create lively and interesting texts. They...

The Rhetorics and Irony in Alighieri's Inferno and More’s Utopia 1

Irony is a conventional rhetorical device used by authors to convey to their readers an incongruity with the aim to relay humor or ridicule, or to depreciate an idea. Thomas More's Utopia and Dante Alighieri's Inferno present perfect examples where irony is used to influence...

• Thomas More

The Irony of Socrates' Prose 'Apology'

In this narrative, I will attempt to explain the Apology, by Socrates. He proclaimed his innocence of charges that he had suborned the youth men Of Athens and he would attempt to plead his case in front of several Athenian Council members (Alan De Botton,...

• The Apology

Analysis Of Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal

Suggesting the nation alleviate its issue of poverty by using the children of the underprivileged Irish population as livestock to feed the rich - making the starving children in Ireland useful members of the commonwealth in a cheap and easy fashion. Crude commentary on England’s...

• A Modest Proposal

Best topics on Irony

1. A Sound of Thunder: The Importance of a Wary Treatment of Technological Progress

2. Exploring the Human Experience in “Looking for Alaska”

3. The Real ‘Innocent’ Figures in Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence

4. The Third-Party Perception of the Society in Good Country People

5. The Comparative Analysis Research of O’Connor’s Stories

6. The Use of Verbal and Dramatic Irony in the Poem “Ozymandias”

7. The Theme Of Over-Reliance On Technology In “The Veldt”

8. The Functions of Humor, Irony and Satire in the Literature of the Shoah

9. Analysis of Stylistic Devices Used in Eliot’s “Silas Marner”

10. The Rhetorics and Irony in Alighieri’s Inferno and More’s Utopia 1

11. The Irony of Socrates’ Prose ‘Apology’

12. Analysis Of Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal

• Hidden Intellectualism
• Sonny's Blues
• William Shakespeare
• A Raisin in The Sun
• A Christmas Carol
• The Thing Around Your Neck
• Alice in Wonderland
• A White Heron
• A Farewell to Arms

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Secondary Classrooms 7 Satirical Lessons for Your Classroom

Linden Brett Wicinas

Introduce satire with these playful, yet thought-provoking, satirical articles!

These satire examples from famous authors like Kurt Vonnegut, Mark Twain, and Johnathan Swift will introduce students to how authors use humor, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose and critique the world around them. Take your students reading comprehension to the next level with our digital library filled with biting essays that are the perfect satire examples for students.

“ The Nose ” by Nikolai Gogol (9th Grade)

This satirical story depicts the nose of a St. Petersburg official that disappears and starts living a life of its own. Throughout the story, Gogal uses satire to poke fun at the official’s vices.

After reading this story, introduce the novella The Metamorphosis , from the Paired Text tab. In this satire novella, a traveling salesman is transformed into an insect. Pair the two pieces in order to teach students about elements of absurdist fiction.

“ Harrison Bergeron ” by Kurt Vonnegut (9th Grade)

In this thought-provoking story, the author describes a society where all citizens have been made equal. Vonnegut uses a satire example to describe the misgivings in our idea of a truly “equal” society as he describes the torture and discomfort the government imposes.

Pair “Harrison Bergeron” with other satire articles and informational texts such as, “ Why Teens Find the End of the World So Appealing ,” and ask students to discuss why the short story is an example of dystopian fiction. What themes in “Harrison Bergeron” would appeal to a young adult reader? Why? Do students think this story was intended specifically for young adult readers? Why or why not?

“ Wealthy Teen Nearly Experiences Consequences ” by The Onion Staff (10th Grade)

In this satire example, a wealthy teen drives a car while intoxicated and crashes into another car. He does not suffer any consequences, and feels miffed and inconvenienced by the incident.

The central idea of this piece is that wealth can allow people to get away with crimes with little to no consequences. Using the discussion questions, ask your class: “What recommendations would you make to help remedy the inequitable enforcement of the law exposed in this article?”

This piece is also a part of our 360 Unit on The Great Gatsby . The two texts, which both include car accidents with wealthy drivers, pose questions about the history of affluence in the United States.

“ The War Works Hard ” by Dunya Mikhail (10th Grade)

In this poem, Dunya Mikhail writes about the wars she has lived through in Iraq. Mikhail satirically depicts war as diligent and efficient in its attempts to decimate society. She praises how war promotes corrupt leaders who benefit from the atrocities inflicted on citizens.

After reading “The War Works Hard”, ask students the first assessment question, “Which of the following best states how the speaker's tone reveals his or her point of view about the war? Have students discuss how point of view and tone are used to connote satire.

“ Hermann the Irascible: A Story of the Great Weep ” by Saki (11th Grade)

Written in the midst of the suffragette movement, this satirical story depicts a fictional British monarch who makes it mandatory for women to vote. The monarch's conniving plan restricted women immensely. The women staged a protest demanding to undo the voting mandate. In response, the monarch rescinded all women’s voting rights.

Pair " Address to Congress on Women's Suffrage " with "Hermann the Irascible" to give students a better sense of the history of the suffragist movement. Considering the widely held beliefs of the day, what techniques did women use to ultimately gain the right to vote?

“ Excerpts from Roughing It ” by Mark Twain (11th Grade)

In this excerpt from Roughing It, the narrator explains his previous professions and his flippant excuses for leaving them. The narrator then receives a newspaper editorial position and becomes quite successful because of his loose relationship with the truth.

After reading Twain’s piece, watch the Related Media video called, “ Top 5 Old West Facts ”. The video focuses largely on myths propagated by classic Western movies. How does this video further inform the theme of the story? What traditional stereotypes of the West are exaggerated or imagined?

“ A Modest Proposal ” by Jonathan Swift (12th Grade)

This article was written in response to the worsening conditions in Ireland after centuries under English control. At the time, Ireland was made up of predominantly poor Catholic people ruled by a wealthy Protestant minority. This satire example from Swift proposes that feeding Catholic children to the Protestant landowners could lead to a stronger economy and stronger familial relationships in poorer communities.

After reading “A Modest Proposal,” introduce your students to Peter Kuper’s artwork inspired by Swift’s words from the Related Media tab. With this comic, students can visually grasp Swift’s outrageous proposal. Use this artwork as a launch pad to discuss the major issues and themes found within the text.

Check out our book pairing for Catch-22 , a famous satirical novel by Joseph Heller.

Are you a teacher looking for more great examples of satire on CommonLit? Browse the CommonLit Library or come to one of our webinars!

If you are an administrator looking to leverage CommonLit in your school or district, our partnerships team can help. We offer benchmark assessments, professional learning, and more!

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Orientation: And Other Stories Irony

By daniel orozco.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by Julia  Wolf

The office is quite comfortable. It has a fridge, a microwave, a coffee machine and, obviously, a men’s room and a women’s room. There is everything that is needed for a positive work environment. However, there is a person who is ready to give up on comfort for “ a benign thrill .” John LaFountaine likes using “ the women’s room occasionally .” It doesn’t bother anyone, for he is absolutely “ harmless. ” The irony is that their work is so dull, monotonous and uninteresting that LaFountaine’s preference for the women’s room and an impressive number of gossips are the only things that prevent them from falling asleep.

The office is equipped with “ the fire exit .” There are “ several on this floor ,” and they are “ marked accordingly .” Office workers have “ a Floor Evacuation Review every three months ,” and “ an Escape Route Quiz once a month .” They also have their “ Biannual Fire Drill twice a year ” and their “ Annual Earthquake Drill once a year .” The irony is that “ these things never happen .” The majority of them consider these precautions a break from work.

The main goal

Gwendolyn Stich brings “ Danish on Wednesdays for Hump Day morning break ,” and “ doughnuts on Fridays for TGIF afternoon break .” She organizes “ the Annual Christmas Potluck ” and is in charge of “ the Birthday List .” Gwendolyn Stich’s door is “ always open ” to all of them. She will always lend an ear and put in “ a good word for you .” However, she is often found crying in the women’s room and huddling in the stairwell. The irony is that the woman, who cares about everyone so much, doesn’t get anything in return. They will fire her as soon as her problems start to interfere with her ability to work.

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Orientation: And Other Stories Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Orientation: And Other Stories is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Study Guide for Orientation: And Other Stories

Orientation: And Other Stories study guide contains a biography of Daniel Orozco, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Orientation: And Other Stories
• Orientation: And Other Stories Summary
• Character List

Essays for Orientation: And Other Stories

Orientation: And Other Stories essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Orientation: And Other Stories by Daniel Orozco.

• Lack of Control, Apathy, and the Mundane in “Orientation”

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Irony

Essays on Irony

Irony is a powerful literary and rhetorical device that adds depth and complexity to storytelling, communication, and everyday life. It involves the use of words or situations to convey a meaning that is opposite to their literal or expected meaning, often resulting in humor, surprise, or insight. As a topic for essays, irony offers a wide range of possibilities for exploration, from its use in literature and entertainment to its presence in social, cultural, and political contexts. Understanding and analyzing irony can lead to a better appreciation of the complexities of human experience and the nuances of communication.

The Importance of the Topic

The study of irony is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps us to understand the ways in which language, communication, and storytelling can be used to convey deeper meanings and provoke thought and emotion. By examining the use of irony in literature, film, and other forms of artistic expression, we can gain a greater appreciation for the creativity and skill of writers and artists. Additionally, irony plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions of the world and the events and experiences that shape our lives. By analyzing the irony present in everyday situations, social interactions, and cultural phenomena, we can gain valuable insights into the complexities of human behavior and society.

Advice on Choosing a Topic

When choosing a topic for an irony essay, it is important to consider your own interests and areas of expertise. Think about the aspects of irony that intrigue you the most and consider how they relate to your own experiences and observations. You may also want to explore specific examples of irony in literature, art, history, or contemporary culture that have captured your attention. Additionally, consider the potential impact and significance of the topic you choose, and how it may resonate with your audience. Ultimately, selecting a topic that you are passionate about and that has the potential to engage and provoke thought in your readers will lead to a more compelling and impactful essay.

Irony Essay Topics

• The use of irony in literature and its impact on storytelling
• Irony in everyday life: examples and effects
• The role of irony in comedy and satire
• The use of dramatic irony in plays and films
• The irony of fate in classic literature
• The irony of technology in modern society
• The irony of war and its consequences
• The irony of love in literature and film
• The irony of politics and power
• The irony of social media and its impact on communication
• The irony of consumer culture and materialism
• The irony of environmental activism and its challenges
• The irony of justice and the legal system
• The irony of education and its effects on society
• The irony of health and wellness trends
• The irony of stereotypes and prejudice in society
• The irony of social norms and expectations
• The irony of success and failure in life
• The irony of human behavior and psychology
• The irony of superstitions and beliefs
• The irony of historical events and their impact on the present
• The irony of language and communication
• The irony of art and creativity
• The irony of religion and spirituality
• The irony of cultural differences and misunderstandings
• The irony of personal identity and self-discovery
• The irony of human rights and social justice
• The irony of freedom and oppression in society
• The irony of tradition and innovation
• The irony of happiness and well-being

Irony is a rich and multifaceted topic that offers a wealth of opportunities for exploration and analysis. By delving into the ways in which irony is used in literature, art, and everyday life, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of human experience and the nuances of communication. Whether examining the use of irony in classic literature, analyzing its role in shaping cultural and social phenomena, or exploring its impact on personal identity and self-discovery, the study of irony offers valuable insights into the human condition. Ultimately, by choosing a topic that resonates with your own interests and experiences, you can create an essay that is both engaging and thought-provoking for your audience.

Irony and Tragedy in "Pathedy of Manners": a Poem Analysis

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Plot, Character Development, Irony, and Narration in Kate Chopin’s The Story of an Hour

Imagery and alliteration in ozymandias, kate chopin’s use of irony in her short stories, irony as the main literary device in jane austen’s pride and prejudice, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Edgar Allan Poe’ Use of Irony in The Cask of Amontillado

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A Study of The Use of Irony as a Literary Device in "The Scarlet Letter"

The power of silence potrayed by kattrin the mute, the depiction of irony in rape fantasies and the girl in the flammable skirt, the history of aesop’s fable the lion and the mouse, irony in "once upon a time" by nadine gordimer, unseen irony: an interpretation of susan glaspell's a jury of her peers, analysis of irony and imagery in the story of an hour by kate chopin, characters’ defects and flaws in flannery o’connor’s good country people, humor and irony in persepolis by marjane satrapi, analysis of 'the butter battle' book written by dr. seuss, what is the irony and reading twists in 'the story of an hour', use of irony in the interlopers, examples of irony in the crucible, dramatic irony in the cask of amontillado by edgar allen poe, use of irony in the pardoner's tale, irony in things fall apart, theme of irony in richard cory, examples of irony in "desiree's baby", irony in the alchemist, bullet in the brain summary, relevant topics.

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