Irony

Home > Literature > Literary devices > Irony

A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. This can create humor or highlight themes of a story.

Quote: "Irony, in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what on the surface appears to be the case and what is actually the case or to be expected."
Quote: "Irony can be categorized into different types, including verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony."
Quote: "Verbal, dramatic, and situational irony are often used for emphasis in the assertion of a truth."
Quote: "The ironic form of simile, used in sarcasm, and some forms of litotes can emphasize one's meaning by the deliberate use of language which states the opposite of the truth, denies the contrary of the truth, or drastically and obviously understates a factual connection."
Quote: "Irony (from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία eirōneía 'dissimulation, feigned ignorance')..."
Quote: "Irony is an important rhetorical device and literary technique."
Quote: "Irony is an important rhetorical device and literary technique."
Quote: "Irony is the juxtaposition of what on the surface appears to be the case and what is actually the case or to be expected."
Quote: "Verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony are categories within irony itself."
Quote: "Verbal, dramatic, and situational irony are often used for emphasis in the assertion of a truth."
Quote: "Verbal, dramatic, and situational irony are often used for emphasis in the assertion of a truth."
Quote: "Some forms of litotes can emphasize one's meaning by... drastically and obviously understating a factual connection."
Quote: "The ironic form of simile, used in sarcasm, can emphasize one's meaning..."
Quote: "Irony (from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία eirōneía 'dissimulation, feigned ignorance')..."
Quote: "Irony (from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία eirōneía 'dissimulation, feigned ignorance')..."
Quote: "Irony is the juxtaposition of what on the surface appears to be the case and what is actually the case or to be expected."
Quote: "Irony is an important rhetorical device and literary technique."
Quote: "Verbal, dramatic, and situational irony are often used for emphasis in the assertion of a truth."
Quote: "Deliberate use of language which states the opposite of the truth, denies the contrary of the truth..."
Quote: "Some forms of litotes can emphasize one's meaning by... drastically and obviously understates a factual connection."