Irony is a gap between what is said or expected and what is meant or happens. Verbal irony: “Lovely weather,” he muttered, as the storm tore off the roof. Situational irony: the fire station burned down.
Juxtaposition places contrasting images side by side to make a point: a man sleeping in a cardboard box outside a gleaming hotel.
A symbol is an object that stands for a bigger idea: a white dove for peace. A euphemism is a mild word for something harsh: “passed away” for died. Ask why the writer chose each device.
Worked example
What device is used in “The book on time management was delivered three weeks late”?
- We expect a book on time management to be on time.
- The opposite happens.
Answer:situational irony
Key words
- irony
- a gap between what is expected and what happens or is meant
- juxtaposition
- contrasting things placed together
- symbol
- an object representing an idea
- euphemism
- a mild word for something harsh
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: L.8.5a