Name: _____________________________
Identifying Irony 3
Directions: Read the following examples of irony. Determine which of the three types of irony are
being used and then explain your answer.
Dramatic irony – This occurs when the reader or audience understands more about the events of a story than a character.
Situational irony – This occurs when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.
Verbal irony – A character says one thing but really means the opposite.
1. While walking home from work, Lake Park Mall security guard Scott Thornton thought about his day.
A shoplifter had outrun him, he had lost the keys to the golf cart, and a group of skateboarders had made
fun of his weight. Things had not gone so well. Scott was so deep in thought that he did not even notice
that he had stumbled on to a movie set. Lost in thought, he passed by trailers, cameras, and stagehands,
yet he was unaware of the scene around him. When he came out of his daze, he looked up and saw a
man who was wearing a ski mask waving a knife at an old lady. Figuring that the masked man was
robbing the old woman, Scott bolted into action. He was so charged up with adrenaline that he did not
even notice the cameraman filming him as he jump kicked the actor wearing the ski mask.
Which type of irony is used? ____________________________________________________________
Explain your answer:
2. Bobby began studying for the big math test on the bus ride home. He tried to study while walking
home from the bus but recognized this as a bad idea after bumping into a lamppost. When he got home,
he didn't watch any TV because he was studying so intensely. He completed the study guide that Mr.
Morris gave him and then he completed one that he had made himself. Bobby stayed awake all through
the night finding extra problems on the Internet and completing them. By the time the sun rose, Bobby
had mastered the content. He felt prepared as he entered the classroom. He sharpened his pencil, sat at
his desk, put his head down, fell asleep, and failed his test.
Which type of irony is used? ____________________________________________________________
Explain your answer:
3. I thought that my mother was going to flip out when Perry came over to eat at our house. To my
surprise she just ignored him, even though he wore his hat, put his elbows on the table, and rocked back
in his chair. I thought that she would go crazy when he pulled bones out of his mouth and put them on
his plate instead of spitting them into a napkin. To my astonishment she looked past this too. But when
Perry slammed a glass of root beer and burped the ABCs, she could restrain herself no longer. "What a
wonderful rendition of the alphabet, Perry, and how age appropriate?" Perry wore a confused look,
unsure of what her reaction had meant.
Which type of irony is used? ____________________________________________________________
Explain your answer:
