Irony & Ambiguity

Notes for English 9

1. Prepare a sheet of paper for note-taking.

2. You may use window, Cornell, or bullet notes.
3. Title your paper & prepare for 10 slides.
4. You must copy each term and definition.
5. You may summarize the examples and extras

This PowerPoint was created for you by Ms. Priester, but is based on information in the textbook.
 Irony
irony:
 definition:
 the difference between what the readers expect or
what seems suitable and the reality of what happens
 tips:
 often comic
 readers appreciate it, because it is true
 three main types:
 verbal, situational, & dramatic
 visual clue:
draw something to help you remember the definition
 Types of Irony: Verbal
verbal irony:
 definition:

 someone says one thing, but means the opposite

 tip:
 it is not just sarcasm—it must be the opposite!
 visual clue:
draw something to help you remember the definition
 Verbal Irony Examples
 Claire says, “What a  Cody says, “You sure
fine day for a picnic!” can pick ‘em!” to his
during a rainstorm. friend whose team
finished last.
 Types of Irony: Situational
situational irony:
 definition:
 what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or
appropriate
 traits:
 plays with people’s expectations
 cuts deeply into the readers’ feelings
 commonly used in literature
 visual clue:
draw something to help you remember the definition
 Situational Irony Examples
 A woman dreads  Mr. Smith gets a
going to a party, but parking ticket. Mr.
goes and ends up Smith is a parking
meeting her future enforcement officer.
husband there.
 Type of Irony: Dramatic
dramatic irony:
 definition:

 audience knows what is in store for a character, but

the character does not know
 tips:
 often occurs in plays and movies
 mimics life, because it is unpredictable
 visual clue:
draw something to help you remember the definition
 Dramatic Irony Examples
 Crooks enter a house  Audience knows that
that the audience the wolf has taken the
knows is booby place of Little Red’s
trapped. grandma.
 New Topic

Mentally, walk away from irony

toward ambiguity.
 Ambiguity
ambiguity:
 definition:
 a part of a text with multiple meanings in which something can
be interpreted in a number of different ways
 tips:
 plot, theme, and mood can all be ambiguous
 ambiguity helps to make a story memorable
 meaningless ambiguity just leads to confusion
 visual clue:
draw something to help you remember the definition
 Ambiguity Examples
 “I’m a reasonably  A young singer
honest person, but I achieves fame, but must
never did return decide whether to return
Rudy’s watch.” home to her boyfriend or
leave him for her
Hollywood lifestyle. But,
the story ends with her
leaving on a cruise.
 The End

Ta-da!
You just earned 30 easy
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Based on:
“Irony and Ambiguity: Surprises, Twists, and Mysteries” by John Legget
Holt Literature and Language Arts - Third Course