Irony and Ambiguity Feature Menu The Best Stories
Irony and Ambiguity Feature Menu The Best Stories Irony Ambiguity Practice
The Best Stories The best stories are the ones that present life and people the way they really are. mysterious unpredictable complicated [End of Section]
Irony is the difference between what we expect or what seems suitable and what actually happens. Writers include irony in stories to reflect the real world—a world where expectations aren’t always fulfilled and unexpected events often surprise us. Katie’s grandfather taught her to play chess a few weeks ago. Now, she consistently wins matches against her grandfather and the other members of his chess club.
Irony In stories, we find three kinds of irony. • Verbal irony occurs when someone says one thing but means the opposite. • Situational irony occurs when an event is not just surprising but actually contrary to what we expected. • Dramatic irony occurs when the audience or the reader knows something important that the character does not know.
Irony Quick Check Mr. Hapner wants to sell his old van. A prospective buyer, Mrs. Duran, shows up to look at the van. She notices that it is rusty and dented, the front bumper is missing, and the engine will barely start. A. “Oh, sir, ” she says, “are you sure you want to part with this gem? ” B. “Oh, sir, ” she says, “do you really expect to sell this piece of junk? ” Based on the passage, which statement would be an example of verbal irony?
Irony Quick Check Dr. Kwan is a pet psychologist. A leader in her field, she has received several awards for her research and clinical successes. Dr. Kwan publishes a book called The Workings of a Dog’s Mind: How to Get Unruly Dogs to Behave, and it soars up the bestseller list. A. Dr. Kwan gets an offer to host a television show about pets. B. Dr. Kwan comes home to find that her two dogs have gnawed on several pairs of her shoes and ruined them. Based on the passage, which statement would be an example of situational irony?
Irony Quick Check Detective Boone, the main character of a play, is trying to solve a rash of burglaries in his precinct. The audience knows that one of the other characters, a server at a coffee shop frequented by the detective, is the burglar. Based on the passage, which statement would be an example of dramatic irony? A. We watch as Detective Boone talks to the server about his investigation and shares sensitive information. B. Another detective eventually solves the case, and the server is arrested. [End of Section]
Ambiguity is an element of uncertainty in a text. Ambiguous texts offer several conflicting consequences or meanings that readers must sort out.
Ambiguity A story with an ambiguous ending or theme • keeps us wondering about what it means • tends to stick in our memory
Ambiguity Quick Check Describe the Millie notices that Hector, a new student, ambiguity in this feels left out, so she asks him to the story. school dance. Hector accepts. Later, Millie finds out that her best friend, Cindy, likes Hector and wants to ask him to the dance. “Oh, ” says Millie, “I’m glad you told me. I asked him to the dance earlier, but I just remembered that I’ve got plans. Now, I won’t feel bad about canceling. ” When Millie’s mom picks her up from school, Millie asks, “Mom, aren’t we supposed to visit Grandma this weekend? We haven’t seen her in a while. ” [End of Section]
Practice Review the definition of verbal irony. Then, write a paragraph describing a scene between two characters. Include an ironic statement made by one character. You might take inspiration from one of the characters or situations described in this presentation. [End of Section]
Definition: a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens Situational: something happens that we wouldn’t expect to happen Example: a fire station burns down Example: a fire Dramatic: the reader knows something the characters do not Home Alone: We know that Kevin has planted traps every where, but the thieves don’t! station burns down Verbal – what is said is different than what is meant You tell someone to break a leg but you mean for them to have good luck
Identify the following examples of irony as situational, dramatic, or verbal… 1. George breaks a date with his girlfriend so he can go to a ball game with the guys. At the concession stand, he runs into his girlfriend with another guy.
A: SITUATIONAL IRONY • We do not expect George to see his girlfriend with another guy.
SITUATIONAL IRONY We don’t expect a FITNESS CENTER to have an escalator because they cause you to burn LESS calories.
3. You are watching a horror movie. You know that the boogey man is waiting for the main character in the closet, but the character doesn’t know and unknowingly opens the closet door.
A: DRAMATIC IRONY • You, as the audience, know something that the main character does not.
A: Situational Irony • You wouldn’t expect to see a Pepsi delivery man drinking a Coke!
5. As you walk outside into the pouring rain, your friend sarcastically comments, “What lovely weather we’re having today. ”
A: VERBAL IRONY • Your friend is saying that it is lovely weather but what she means is just the opposite. It is a very dreary day.
SITUATIONAL IRONY The guy is calling the protestors stupid, but he spelled, “morons” wrong!
• 7. A police station gets robbed.
A: SITUATIONAL IRONY • We wouldn’t expect a POLICE STATION to get robbed. They investigate robberies!
SITUATIONAL The van drove into a “School of Safe Driving. ” Hahahaha! We wouldn’t expect that.
9. Your date for the school dance shows up in ripped jeans and a stained t-shirt. With a smirk, you say, “Oh! I see you dressed up for the occasion. ”
A: VERBAL IRONY • What you’ve said is different than what you mean. You mean that your date hasn’t bother to dress up at all, but that isn’t what you said!
SITUATIONAL IRONY • It is ironic that a Mc. Donald’s sign is beside a sign about obesity!
11. When watching a talk show, the audience knows why a person has been brought on the show. However, the person in the chair does not know that they are going to be reunited with a long lost friend.
A: DRAMATIC IRONY • The audience knows information that a character does not! (We know why the person has been brought on the show, but they don’t!)
SITUATIONAL • Would you expect someone that lives here to specialize in complete home repair?
The End!
- Slides: 38