Irony is a literary technique that uses language to convey a meaning opposite or significantly different from its literal or expected meaning. Irony often contrasts what is said or expected and what actually happens or is meant.
There are several types of irony, including verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony.
Verbal irony is when a speaker says something but means the opposite or something different from what is said. For example, if it starts raining heavily and someone says “What a lovely day.”, that would be an example of verbal irony.
Situational irony occurs when a situation’s outcome differs from what was expected. For example, a fire station burning down would be an example of situational irony.
Dramatic irony is when the audience or reader knows something that the characters in a story do not. For example, in a horror movie, the audience may know that the killer is hiding in the closet, but the character in the film does not.
Irony can be used for various purposes, including to create humor, to criticize or comment on societal issues, or to create a sense of surprise or shock.
Benjamin L. Stewart 