Making Curriculum Pop

I want to do a mini-lesson on IRONY as part of my closure with THE CRUCIBLE.

 

I was just thinking, it would be best to introduce this with examples from TV!! 

 

Think of your favorite sitcom (or drama, reality television program, etc.)

 

Can you remember a great example of irony - verbal, situational, or dramatic?  Preferably something that is so popular I can pull it up on youtube?

 

For example, I LOVE using Seinfeld.  I've taught pronouns with the Susie episode and speaking in the third person with the Jimmy episode.  I'll share those links if anyone is interested. 


THANKS!

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good one!
Ha ha!  This is great!  I'm definitely going to use it.

For dramatic irony we always talk about talk shows (ala Jerry Springer and Maury Povich) and slasher movies.  The audience always knows why the person is really on the talk show (about to find out she's pregnant with her best friend's boyfriend's mother's lawyer's dog walker's baby!) but he thinks he's there for a free make over.  The audience always knows the noises upstairs means the girl's going to die, but she goes up to investigate anyway. 

 

I don't know if there's any clips out there you could use that would be classroom appropriate.  I always just exaggerate it to obnoxious levels.

 

Also, there's this scene in Dodgeball that is good for situational irony:

"To be honest, folks, I never would have dreamed it possible," enthuses ESPN 8 commentator Cotton McKnight. "But with seven-time ADAA all-star Patches O'Houlihan at the helm, I guess it must be the luck of the Irish."

Cut directly to people assembling a sign for the "Luck of the Irish" bar in the middle of the casino.

Meanwhile, the Average Joe's walk underneath, led by Patches:

"Tomorrow, we're going to pecker-slap those Globo Gym bastards!"

Justin turns to Peter and asks, "Do you think we can really beat Globo Gym, Peter?"
Peter simply responds, "Well as long as we have Patches, we have a shot."

As soon as these words are uttered, the sign comes crashing down on Patches, crushing him and leaving the team minus a coach. The luck of the Irish indeed... (Synopsis from http://www.moviedeaths.com/dodgeball:_a_true_underdog_story/patches_o'houlihan/)

 

A great example except for the one line Patches says.  So again, I don't know if you could edit the line a bit or turn down the volume...  I couldn't find the scene on youtube.

 

Finally, there's a comic I show my students called "Tree of Irony" from the perry bible fellowship site.  I would recommend you find the comic at home and save it, much of the PBF site is not appropriate for school.



I'm going to use this as well!  The kids will love it!
How about The Dick Van Dyke Show where Rob writes a skit about a woman whose curiosity gets the best of her about a package that comes for her husband and she winds up inflating a rubber raft?  Everyone thinks it's modelled after Laura...and it really happens.  Classic and superb comedic acting by the lovely Mary Tyler Moore.

BTW, I have a file of ironic photos I can send you if you wish.
I am going to search for the DVD clip right now, but I would love the pictures as well!

I created a website with visual examples of literary terms and there are several examples of irony. Just check the menu to the right on the main page. I hope you find it useful.

http://visuallitterms.pbworks.com

 

This is great as well!  If you don't mind, I might try applying it with other lessons on literary devices :)  I especially LOVE the Caddyshack clips :)
Certainly. If you have any ideas for other clips (from any category) please share them and I will add them to the site. Honestly, I have not been very active in adding more clips recently and need the nudge!
Let me also add that many classic Warner Bros. cartoons are filled with irony. One of the best is "Knighty Knight Bugs" where Bugs Bunny is sent to retrieve the singing sword from the Black Knight. Most Road Runner shorts work as well.

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