Irony Unmasked Worksheet
Grade 7 English Language Arts • Literary Devices
Irony Unmasked
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The Irony Toolkit: Three Types to Know
Situational Irony
When the outcome of an event is the exact opposite of what was reasonably expected by characters and readers.
Dramatic Irony
When the audience or reader knows a critical secret or piece of information that a character does not know.
Verbal Irony
When a character says one thing but intentionally means the opposite (such as sarcasm or intentional understatement).
1 Warm-Up: Identify the Irony Type
Write Situational, Dramatic, or Verbal
A firehouse burns down because someone left a candle burning in the kitchen while all firefighters were out on a call.
Type:
In a horror movie, the audience watches a ghost hide in the closet, but the protagonist happily walks in to grab a jacket.
Type:
2 Case Study 1: "After Twenty Years" by O. Henry
The Power of the Twist Ending
What Bob (and the Reader) Expected:
Bob traveled a thousand miles to reunite with his faithful, loyal friend Jimmy Wells at their old diner spot.
The Situational Irony (The Reality):
Jimmy was the first patrol officer who spoke with Bob, identified him as "Silky" Bob, and had him arrested.
A.
When Jimmy Wells realized his childhood friend was the wanted fugitive "Silky" Bob, why did he choose not to arrest Bob himself? How does this choice emphasize the conflict between duty and friendship?
B.
How does O. Henry use dramatic irony during the scene where the plainclothes officer walks with Bob under the streetlamp, right before Bob sees his face?
Turn page for Case Study 2 ("He-y, Come on O-ut!") & Comparative Analysis Page 1 of 2
Irony Unmasked • Part II • Shinichi Hoshi & Comparative Analysis
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3 Case Study 2: "He-y, Come on O-ut!" by Shinichi Hoshi
The Irony of Human Hubris
The Cycle of Avoidance:
Action Villagers dump trash, toxic waste, & secrets
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Assumption Hole is "bottomless"; problems vanish forever
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Twist The shout & pebble return from above
A.
In the beginning of the story, what two specific things did the young man do into the newly uncovered hole? What happens at the very end of the story to complete the situational irony?
B.
The villagers believe the hole brought them prosperity and a clean, modern city. Why is their sense of security an example of dramatic irony for the reader by the final sentence?
4 Irony Showdown: Cross-Story Comparison
Fill in each cell completely
| Story & Author | What characters tried to conceal or escape | How irony exposes the truth |
|---|
| "After Twenty Years" | | |
| by O. Henry | | |
| | |
|
| "He-y, Come on O-ut!"
by Shinichi Hoshi |
|
|
5 Thematic Reflection: Why Use Irony?
Both authors use situational irony to deliver a moral warning rather than preaching directly to the reader. In 3-4 complete sentences, explain how experiencing a sudden, ironic twist makes the story's theme more unforgettable for the reader.
"True irony is not just surprise; it is the revelation of truth." Page 2 of 2
