Using and understanding irony in non-fiction writing
I can understand and explain the use of irony and use it for effect in my own writing.
Using and understanding irony in non-fiction writing
I can understand and explain the use of irony and use it for effect in my own writing.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Broadly speaking, irony is a contrast between expectations and reality.
- There are three main types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic.
- Irony might be used to critique preconceptions or expectations or to create humour.
- Dramatic irony might also affect our opinion of a character.
- In persuasive writing, irony might be used to subvert the readers’ expectations and challenge their ideas.
Keywords
Irony - a contrast between expectations and reality
Subvert - to criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values
Persuade - convince (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument
Hypocrisy - the behaviour of people who do things that they tell other people not to do
Preconception - an idea or opinion formed before enough information is available to form it correctly
Common misconception
That irony is the same thing as a coincidence.
Irony is a contrast between expectations and reality whereas coincidence involves a great deal of luck, or chance.
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
when a person says one thing but means the opposite
when the opposite of what is expected happens
when the audience know something that characters do not