Elements of Short Stories

1. Elements of Short Stories

2. Irony • Irony is a literary device where words are used to show a contradiction between appearance and reality • Meaning: reality is usually the opposite of what it seems • There are 3 types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic

6. Irony • Verbal irony - A character says one thing but really means the opposite

7. Verbal Irony • A character says one thing but really means the opposite • Sarcasm is one type of verbal irony • To find verbal irony, ask yourself: What is really being said? • If what the person actually says is not exactly what they mean, it’s most likely verbal irony

8. Verbal Irony-Examples • When someone asks, “Does that bruise hurt?” • And you say, “No” • When your teacher says, “I see how hard you worked on your homework!” after you hand in a blank worksheet

11. Verbal Irony-Sarcasm • Sarcasm is also a form of verbal irony

13. Irony • Verbal irony - A character says one thing but really means the opposite • Situational irony – When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate.

14. Situational Irony • When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate. • Comes from the situation or circumstances the characters find themselves in • To find situational irony, ask yourself: “What was I expecting to happen?” • If the opposite happened, it’s most likely situational irony

15. Situational Irony-Examples • Someone breaks in to a thief’s house at the same time he is out robbing another house • The founder of match.com was dumped by his long-time girlfriend—after she found someone else on match.com

19. Irony • Verbal irony - A character says one thing but really means the opposite • Situational irony – When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate. • Dramatic irony – The reader or audience understands more about the events of a story than a character.

20. Dramatic Irony • The reader or audience understands more about the events of a story than a character. • Comes from the audience’s understanding—or “inside joke” or “inside knowledge” • To find dramatic irony, ask yourself, “Did I already know what happened or was going to happen?” • If you answered yes, it’s most likely dramatic irony

21. Dramatic Irony-Examples • Almost every horror movie…we know the killer is waiting, but the characters don’t… • Jaws…da na…da na…da na da na…da nanananananana AAAHHH!!!!

22. Dramatic Irony-Examples • Simba spends most of the movie trying to rid himself of the guilt from killing his father • Meanwhile, we know it was Scar who killed Mufasa

23. Dramatic Irony-Examples • Hercules must drink “Every last drop” to become mortal—but one drop remains • Hades does not know this, but Pain, Panic, and the audience do!

24. Irony v. Coincidence • Be careful not to confuse irony with coincidence • Coincidences are unexpected and sometimes unexplainable, but seem to have no cause or connection • Note: that “CONNECTION” word is the big give away!

25. Irony v. Coincidence • Examples of coincidence: • 2 girls wearing the same outfit without planning it • A young boy surviving a terrible fall while wearing a Superman shirt • Someone walking by while you are talking smack about them

27. Irony or Coincidence…You Tell me! • Rain on a wedding day • COINCIDENCE • Why? It’s unfortunate, but no one has done anything to cause it—the two are unrelated (And, honestly, the weather doesn’t care what you’re doing!)

28. Irony or Coincidence…You Tell me! • A policeman having a warrant out for his arrest for unpaid parking tickets • IRONY! • Why? He’s a policeman; he knows better and he caused the situation to happen

29. Irony or Coincidence…You Tell me! • IRONY! • Why? The sign for “Fasteners” clearly needs a fastener itself…

30. Irony or Coincidence…You Tell me! • Forgetting to study for a test, then finding out the teacher doesn’t feel good and lets you watch a movie instead • COINCIDENCE! • Why? Your lack of preparation had nothing to do with the teacher being ill (or lazy)