Irony is an important literary term for students to understand. As students explore it, students will use this tool in their writing, and find it in fiction, nonfiction and verbal communication. Understanding the different forms of irony and then applying the terms to literature prepares students to activate higher-order thinking, such as evaluation. Give students a variety of lessons so they can develop a well-rounded understanding of irony.
Definitions
Students need a general knowledge of irony. Irony is when expectation differs from reality. The three types of irony are situational, when the audience expects something to happen, but expectation differs from the actual result; dramatic irony, when the audience knows something a character does not; and verbal irony, when an author says something but means the opposite. Irony adds suspense or humor to situations.
Present definitions and examples to students and then do memorization activities such as creating flashcards and matching worksheets. Students can also create posters that detail the definitions for classroom décor - and continual visual reminders.
Documenting
After students understand irony, they should find examples of irony. They can create a chart with two spaces: one for the characters' actions and words and another for the character's intention. When reading stories such as "The Gift of the Magi" or "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," have students complete such a chart. Students can then use it as pre-writing for a writing assignment or a springboard for class discussions. When students read novels rather than short stories, like "Animal Farm," they may keep a running tab of irony in a journal or graphic organizer. Allow students to experiment and find the documenting tool that works best for them.
Writing
Students should use their documented notes concerning irony with writing assignments. Start with small lessons such as students writing a simple example of each type of irony. Begin noting the effects of irony - if writers use irony to prove a point or for entertainment. Then ask students to incorporate irony into regular writing assignments, perhaps using it with purpose as other writers do.
Have students analyze examples of irony in everyday life, such as political cartoons. As an advanced stage in writing, students should be able to evaluate examples of irony and debate why it is or is not irony. They should ask themselves if examples are merely entertainment or sarcasm, or if they are indeed ironic.
Acting
Ask students to act out examples of irony. Students can find irony in their literature and recreate it. Their audience can decipher what verbal and nonverbal communication of the actors signaled irony. The audience should track the instances of irony and decide which type each example is. Students can also write their own scripts including irony. This time, the audience should identify which type of irony the script presented. End either lesson with a discussion of the irony presented.
Irony can be difficult for students to identify. This literary term has many levels that make it interesting, but these levels also make it complex to incorporate into personal writings. Discovering irony and its types makes reading more meaningful and writing better. Teach students irony with a variety of instructional methods.
Lauralee Moss - Lauralee Moss holds an MA in Teaching and a BS in English. She has taught in the public school system for a decade.
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