In literature, life’s surprises and uncertainties are often portrayed through the use of irony and ambiguity.

When a speaker says one thing but means the opposite

Example: You say, “It’s a great day to go outside for a picnic!” when it’s pouring down rain.

Sarcasm

when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected

Example: It rains on the day of the National Weather Bureau’s outdoor picnic.

when the reader knows something important that a character does not know

Example: You see the killer sneaking up behind his unsuspecting victim, who is clueless until it’s too late.

While irony presents an outcome that is the opposite of what we expect, ambiguity offers us a choice of more than one meaning or interpretation.

A word, phrase, event, or ENTIRE work of literature that is open to different interpretations.

Example: Stories/movies that end in cliff-hangers—they leave us guessing what happens next.

Is the following an example of ambiguity, situational irony, dramatic irony, or verbal irony? Arnold Schwarzenegger, who became

famous and rich from starring in bloody action films, now speaks out against violence in movies and video games.

Situational irony– it’s the opposite of what we expect!

Is the following an example of ambiguity, situational irony, dramatic irony, or verbal irony?

At the end of a story, it is unclear whether the hero survives or dies.

Ambiguity– the situation is open to interpretation!

Is the following an example of ambiguity, situational irony, dramatic irony, or verbal irony?

In the movie Jaws, the audience always knows the shark is coming because of the music, but the victims are clueless.

Dramatic irony– we know something important that the characters don’t know!

Is the following an example of ambiguity, situational irony, dramatic irony, or verbal irony?

Gene says, “You’re my best friend, Finny,” when really he hates his guts.

Verbal irony– the character says the opposite of what he really means!