Exploring Irony in Literature: An Interactive Classroom Activity

1. December 5, 2012 I can synthesize text in order to create a character sketch for a class trail.

2. Bell Ringer • Jeopardy Review Game with Greek and Latin prefixes/roots/suffixes

3. Discuss Book Project • Draw a day to present • Ask questions • Examine example letter

4. What is Irony?

5. Irony • A Surprise! • It is the difference between what we expect to happen, and what actually does happen. • It is often used to add suspense and interest. • It is also used to keep the reader thinking about the moral of the story.

6. The Big Picture

7. 3 types of Irony • Verbal Irony • Situational Irony • Dramatic Irony

8. Verbal Irony • The simplest kind of irony. • You use it everyday when you say one thing and really mean another. • It is often similar to a sarcastic response. • Example: • When you appear to be sick and someone asks you if you’re okay. You say “Ofcourse!” But in the meantime you are vomiting and fainting.

9. Situational Irony • Occurs when a situation turns out to be the opposite of what you thought it would be. • Example: • The teacher’s daughter is a High School drop out. • The mayor’s wife gets caught stealing. • The chef won’t eat his/her own cooking. • The barber always needs a hair cut himself.

10. Dramatic Irony • Occurs when the audience knows something that the characters in the story, on the screen, or on the stage do not know. It’s like the audience is more aware of what’s going on than the people in the production. • This is used to engage the audience and keep them actively involved in the storyline.

11. Dramatic Ironycontinued… • In all of the Friday the 13th movies, we know Jason is in the woods. The characters do not. When they go out into the woods we are afraid for them because we know that they are in danger. We scream for them to run, we get excited when they fall, we cringe when we know that Jason is right behind the tree.

12. Review • Irony is a kind of a surprise. It is the difference between what is expected to happen, and what actually does happen. • Irony is like a glitch, a twist, or a last minute switch in the game. It is an interruption of events that cause an unexpected outcome. There are three types of irony: • Verbal • Situational • Dramatic

13. Reading • “Lamb to the Slaughter” • Page 378 • You may read independently, with a partner or as a group • You will have 20 minutes to finish reading the twelve pages

14. Review of Reading • Which of the following shows situational irony? • Calm, loving Mary violently kills her husband • The police officer goes to the grocer’s. • Patrick is a police officer. • The doctor says that Patrick’s skull was smashed. • Why does Mary go shopping for groceries? • Her husband wants dinner at home. • She needs fresh air. • She needs an alibi, or excuse. • She wants to confess to Sam.

15. Review of Reading • It is an irony that the grieving widow is also the- • Murderer • Victim • Grocer • Investigating officer • Dramatic irony takes place when Mary tells the police that- • She would like a drink. • They would do her a favor by eating the lamb. • She feels too ill to leave. • She went grocery shopping.

16. Trial Roles • Mary • Ghost of Patrick • Defense Attorney –Opening Argument/questions/evidence • Prosecuting Attorney – Opening Argument/questions/evidence • Sam-the grocer • Policeman #1 • Policeman #2 • Doctor • Police Photographer • Detective #1 • Detective #2 • Forensic Expert • Bailiff • Judge • Others will serve as the jury

17. My side of the story • Everyone will take part in writing your characters statements. • Be creative • Think…what would your character say? • Refer back to the text!!!!! • You will have 20 minutes to write your side of the story

18. Wrap Up • Use the last 20 minutes of class to go back to your reading groups to finish tests.