Irony Definition Literary Device

Irony is a broad term that encompasses three different types of irony each with their own specific definition.

Irony definition literary device. The use of irony in literature refers to playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning. The effectiveness of irony as a literary device depends on the reader s expectations and understanding of the disparity between what should happen and what actually happens in a literary work. In cases of situational irony there is often a twist that plays with the expectations of the audience and or characters. Situational irony occurs when something happens that is very different than what was expected.

Dramatic irony a literary device by which the audience s or reader s understanding of events or individuals in a work surpasses that of its characters dramatic irony is a form of irony that is expressed through a work s structure. An audience s awareness of the situation in which a work s characters exist differs substantially from that of the characters and the words and. Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. Irony is a literary device in which contradictory statements or situations reveal a reality that is different from what appears to be true.

If this seems like a loose definition don t worry it is. It takes two forms. December 19 2018 literary devices definition. This can be a difference between the surface meaning of something that is said and the underlying meaning.

Definition of situational irony. Every type of irony involves some contrast between what seems to be the case on a surface level and what is really happening. Verbal irony dramatic irony and situational irony. Verbal irony in which literal meaning contradicts actual meaning and dramatic irony in which there is an incongruity between what is expected and what occurs.