What Are the 3 Types of Irony?
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Did you know that there are three types of irony? Each works slightly differently, but all three are effective ways to draw a reader’s attention. If you’re not familiar with them yet, don’t worry! In this blog post, we’ll:
- Define what irony is
- Outline the three key types (dramatic, verbal, and situational)
- Explain how to deal with it as a proofreader and editor
Keep reading to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about irony!
What Is Irony?
Irony is a linguistic and literary device that, according to Merriam Webster, involves “the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning.” Something is ironic if it highlights a difference between how something is perceived and how it actually is in reality.
Writers can use irony to create tension, add humor, or place emphasis on a particular plot point, theme, or character trait.
However, irony is often misused and misunderstood. Many things that people claim are ironic are not. Irony should not be confused with coincidence, surprise, paradox, or unfortunate circumstances. While irony can make use of satire or sarcasm, they are not the same thing.
Perhaps a few examples might help:
You wash your car, and then a bird poops on it.
This is not ironic; this would be unfortunate circumstances or bad luck.
Two sports players from the same hometown go on to play on different teams in different cities but receive the same uniform number.
This is also not ironic; this is just a coincidence.
You can save yourself money by spending it.
This could be considered a paradox, but it is not ironic.
What Are the Three Types of Irony?
There are three main forms of irony:
- Dramatic (or tragic)
- Verbal
- Situational (or the “irony of events”)
Each of these three types uses the concept of irony in a slightly different way and is suited for different purposes.
What Is Dramatic Irony?
Dramatic irony, as the name suggests, is often found in books, movies, and theater. It is a literary device where the audience (or reader) knows something that the characters of a story do not. Those characters will often make ill-advised decisions because they lack information that the audience has.
This type of irony is great at building tension and anticipation.
In the story of Oedipus, it is foretold that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother. He decides to flee from his family to prevent that from happening. What he doesn’t know is that he was adopted. By running away from his adoptive parents, he reaches the land where his real parents live, where he will marry a woman and kill a man, not knowing they are his true parents.
In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo takes poison to kill himself because he believes his lover Juliet is dead. But everyone in the audience knows this is not true. Juliet has simply taken a drug to make her fall asleep and appear dead so that she can escape with Romeo. Juliet wakes up just before Romeo dies from the poison he has ingested and realizes his mistake.
What Is Verbal Irony?
Verbal irony is when the literal meaning of a statement or phrase directly conflicts with its intended meaning. Verbal irony can use sarcasm, but it is important to note that not all verbal irony is sarcastic, and not all forms of sarcasm are ironic.
Your stunned silence is very reassuring.
Some animals are more equal than others.
My favorite part of the date was when he insulted the waiter and asked me to pay for both meals.
What Is Situational Irony?
Situational irony occurs when the reality of what happens does not match up to the expected outcome. This can ensure that the plot stays interesting and unpredictable.
Unlike dramatic irony, with situational irony, the audience (or reader) finds out something has not gone as planned at the same time as the characters.
In the movie The Sixth Sense, a psychologist is sent to help a young boy who can see dead people. It isn’t until the end of the movie that the characters and the audience realize the psychologist was a ghost the whole time.
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the characters all feel like they are lacking certain traits (courage, love, etc.), and they set out to make themselves whole. By the end of the story, everyone realizes those traits were inside themselves all along.
Your Role as a Proofreader or Editor
As a proofreader or editor, it is important to familiarize yourself with how the three types of irony work so you can advise your client if they have made a mistake.
If you find that your client has misused irony or incorrectly called something ironic, you can leave a comment in their document or send them a polite email.
When the problem is easy to remedy, you can outline how to correct it in your comment. If it will require more substantial changes, you could point your client in the direction of educational resources on irony. Perhaps all they need to do is read this blog post!
Becoming a Proofreader and Editor
If the proper use of irony and other literary devices is something that you find interesting, you should consider becoming a freelance proofreader or editor.
Our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses can help you take the first step.
You can even sign up for our free trial right now.
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