Verbal irony is produced through speech or dialogue of the speaker. This type of irony involves the plot, the audience/readers, and the characters in the story.īryan Cranston as Walter White, and Dean Norris as Agent Schrader in Breaking Bad.Īn example of dramatic irony is when in Breaking Bad, Agent Schrader is looking for Heisenberg, the drug lord, without being aware that it is his brother-in-law Walter White, who has been there in front of him all along. They can be found in any form of writing, be that short story or a poem. Dramatic Ironyĭramatic irony occurs not necessarily in plays. Every story uses irony because it is versatile, dramatic, funny, and gives a sense of amusement even if the irony is wry and sinister. The major types include verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, tragic irony, cosmic irony. There are several types of irony in writing. The purpose of irony in creative writing is to twist words, scene, and expected outcome to fit the writer's message. In literature, irony is used to bring complexity in the narrative structure, create suspense, and contrast knowledge and ignorance, expectation and reality. Irony brings depth, insight, and creativity in the process of storytelling. However, in this article, we will focus on irony found in writing. Irony can be found in everyday life, real-life events, situations, stories, character traits. The word irony descends from Latin ironia, Greek eironia from eiron, meaning 'dissembler.'Įxample of an irony: 'The world can finally expect peace after the establishment of the United Nations.'

Irony often generates an unexpected outcome, humor, and poetic justice. The laughable quality of irony makes it more absurd, sinister, and practical at the same time. Irony is when something is said or done opposite of its literal meaning.

It is a literary device that can be used to portray illusion with the intent of ridicule and a hit of laughableness. Irony takes place when there is an incongruity between appearance and reality.

Impact in storywriting