Using and understanding irony in non-fiction writing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand and explain the use of irony and use it for effect in my own writing.
Key learning points
- Broadly speaking, irony is a contrast between expectations and reality.
- There are three main types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic.
- Irony might be used to critique preconceptions or expectations or to create humour.
- Dramatic irony might also affect our opinion of a character.
- In persuasive writing, irony might be used to subvert the readers’ expectations and challenge their ideas.
Keywords
Irony - a contrast between expectations and reality
Subvert - to criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values
Persuade - convince (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument
Hypocrisy - the behaviour of people who do things that they tell other people not to do
Preconception - an idea or opinion formed before enough information is available to form it correctly
Common misconception
That irony is the same thing as a coincidence.
Irony is a contrast between expectations and reality whereas coincidence involves a great deal of luck, or chance.
Teacher tip
It would be useful for pupils to share their answers to Task A to ensure that they have understood how and why irony is being used before moving onto using irony in their own work.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'To convince (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument' is the definition of .
Q2.If the sun is shining outside then you would stereotypically expect someone to say which of the following?
Q3.In a race between a tortoise and a hare, which of the following outcomes would we expect?
Q4.'Indicate the faults of (someone or something) in a disapproving way' is the definition of which of the following?
Q5.'A limiting condition or measure, especially a legal one' is the definition of which of the following?
Q6.'To criticise or undermine the usual way of doing something or common values' is the definition of which of the following?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'A contrast between expectations and reality' is the definition of which word?
Q2.Match the type of irony with the definition.
when a person says one thing but means the opposite
when the opposite of what is expected happens
when the audience know something that characters do not
Q3.'An idea or opinion formed before enough information is available to form it correctly' is the definition of which of the following?
Q4.Which of the following might a writer use irony to create?
Q5.In persuasive writing, irony might be used to the reader's expectations.
Q6.'The behaviour of people who do things that they tell other people not to do' is the definition of which word beginning with 'h'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Using and understanding irony in non-fiction writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Using and understanding irony in non-fiction writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Non-fiction: teenage kicks unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.