Introduction
George Orwell used irony for dramatic effect in Animal Farm. We constantly say that things are ironic, but many things we think are ironic are not. Explore the three types of irony to better understand it.
Task
You will explore the following links and answer the questions about the three types of irony.
Process
1. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jne9t8sHpUc. Watch the video. Consider which of the situations Alanis Morrisette sings about are actually irony.
2. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcRsfgaN9SY.
What is the origin of the word "irony?"
Copy down a funny irony comment.
3. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYq2d7iKKhk.
After watching the video, explain why the song "Ironic" is not accurate.
Why is dramatic irony and foreshadowing different?
4. Go to http://ed.ted.com/lessons/situational-irony-the-opposite-of-what-you-think-christopher-warner.
When is a situation ironic?
Why is it ironic that a senior citizen could be blogging?
5. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiR-bnCHIYo.
How is sarcasm related to verbal irony?
6. Go to https://docs.google.com/a/ph325.org/file/d/0Bx_9kf11TI3DZHNKNVk3RDFRVDg/edit.
How is this an example of verbal irony?
7. Go to http://ed.ted.com/lessons/in-on-a-secret-that-s-dramatic-irony-christopher-warner.
What is dramatic irony?
Why do authors use dramatic irony in their work?
How does dramatic irony create tension and suspense in both comedies and horror stories?
7. Answer the following questions.
If a person says, "Nice job!" after you trip and fall, is it ironic? If so, what kind of irony is it?
If you know who the killer is in a murder mystery because you saw the murder take place in the first scene, but the characters don't know, is it ironic? If so, what kind of irony is it?
If an English teacher misspells a word, is it ironic? If so, what kind of irony is it?
If an PE teacher misspells a word, is it ironic? If so, what kind of irony is it?
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on their participation in the Web Quest and their answers to the questions.
Conclusion
Do you feel like you understand irony better? If you are still struggling, go back and review a video and come talk to me about it.