1. Why Irony trumps everything

2. Ordered Sharing
Go around the table, with each person attempting to answer one of the following questions:
Explain how you know when something is verbal irony
Explain the difference between situational/dramatic irony
List the 3 effects of irony (or as many as you can)
Provide an example of irony everyone would understand
Explain why “Irony Trumps everything”

3. Irony is naturally occurring and not always intentional…
Irony discussion
Irony is naturally occurring and not always intentional…

5. Irony can be humorous and intellectually thoughtful at the same time…
Irony discussion
Irony can be humorous and intellectually thoughtful at the same time…

8. Irony discussion
Irony can be created in many ways. Consider the following example. Identify the irony and how the writers use structure to produce an expectation that differs from the reality of the outcome:

9. Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is a contrast between what the audience/reader knows and what the characters know.
It generally creates tension as we wish to tell a character what we (the audience) already know. But we can’t…

10. Dramatic Irony
Here is dramatic irony at work in one of Disney’s best films…
The dramatic irony is obvious to those who have seen The Lion King. Scar kills mufasa in a scene unobservable to simba but clear to the audience. Why is this emotionally powerful?
Watch again. What other type of irony is present? How do you know?

11. Irony for the Use of Creating Suspense
The following scene was the last scene shot for one of the most famous Hollywood blockbusters of all time. Director steven Spielberg recalled that it was one of the most effective scenes in the film, and he was glad that despite being incredibly over budget.

12. Situational or Dramatic Irony?
In the following 7-8 minute scene from Jaws, the chief of police and protagonist of the movie, Chief Brody, is aware of at least two shark attacks just prior to the fourth of july weekend, the busiest beach weekend on amity island. While he has insisted on closing the beaches for fear of another attack, the mayor—concerned with the economic impact of publicizing the attacks—has refused to close the beaches. As a compromise, a group of patrol officers in boats offshore shields the main beach from a shark attack. Brody must simultaneously do his best to protect the residents/tourists but also consider his own wife and sons, who are also present.
Steven Spielberg uses two distinct examples of irony in the following scene. As you watch, be ready to explain the situational and dramatic irony at your tables.

13. Irony: Function/Purpose in Context
Question: Irony requires us to go back and evaluate a story very carefully. How does the situational irony in jaws contribute to the horror of the last scene for brody?
Answer: Every Parent’s worst nightmare is putting their child in harm’s way. Here, Brody tries to protect his son but inadvertently places him directly in harm’s way. All parents in the audience can empathize with him quite easily at this point.