One of the most common literary terms taught is irony. In the short story "The Necklace", irony is the main focus of the work. It is not until the very last line when Mme. Loisel finds out that the necklace is fake does the reader learn the intent of the story. Mme. Loisel goes into debt for ten years, just to replace a necklace that, in the end, was almost worthless.
Situational Irony is when actions or events have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, or where the outcome is contrary to expectations.
The plot of "The Necklace" has situational irony because after replacing her friend's expensive-looking necklace, and working for ten years to pay off the debt, Mme. Loisel finds out it was fake!
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting the types of irony used in "The Necklace."
Grade Level 6-12
Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Three Types of Irony
Common Core Standards
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Excellent 25 Points | Proficient 21 Points | Emerging 17 Points | Try Again 13 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Types of Irony: | Student followed the task for this assignment. They included three different forms of irony, and correctly explained them. | Student has two forms of irony displayed and correctly explained. | Student only has two or three types displayed, but not correctly supported | Work attempts to show irony however, it's unclear or only presents one type. |
| Provides Irony Using Direct Quotes | The student has clearly provided the reader with three different examples of irony and they are clearly explained in an exemplary way. | Student clearly provided the reader with two examples of irony. However, the examples may not be exemplary. | Student has identified one or two weak example of irony. | Student has not identified irony in the story through use of direct quotations. |
| Understand the Effect of Irony Through explanation | Student has provided a clear example of the effect of all three types of irony and explained in great detail. | Student has provided explanations of the effect of the irony for two or three examples of irony in sufficient detail. | Student has attempted to provide an explanation of the effect of one or two example(s) of irony in limited detail. | Student did not provide any explanations of irony from the reading. |
| Overall Presentation: | Student has no errors and the work is commendable. | Student has very few errors. Good effort has been displayed. | Student has some mechanical issues; little effort is shown; somewhat appealing; partially incomplete. | Student has grammar, mechanic or correctness issues that prohibit the understanding of Irony; or incomplete; visually unappealing. |
