The literary technique of IRONY is a figure of speech in which words are used to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. It is often used to create humor or emphasize a point. IRONY can be verbal, situational, or dramatic. Verbal IRONY is when someone says one thing but means another. Situational IRONY occurs when something happens that is the opposite of what was expected. Dramatic IRONY is when the audience knows something that the characters do not.