This figurative language lesson on sarcasm includes a free organizer and digital resources. It’s perfect for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. This lesson covers the definition with examples appropriate for upper elementary students.
Definitions of Irony and Sarcasm
Irony is the difference or contrast between expectations and reality in a circumstance. Irony is often only recognized well after an original statement or occurrence, since it usually takes current events to realize the previous remark was completely wrong.
Sarcasm is a remark that people use to say the opposite of what’s true, to amuse or hurt someone by making them feel foolish.
Sarcasm Examples
Example 1:
When you expect something to happen, especially after warning someone about it, someone says, “Well, what a surprise.”
Example 2:
When someone says something very obvious: “Really, Sherlock? No! You are clever.”
Example 3:
When someone shows you beautiful photos from their vacation: “What an awful place! I hope to go there someday.”
The person’s response is sarcastic because they say the opposite of what they mean to be funny.
Example 4:
When someone does something wrong: “Very good; well done!”
This is a sarcastic remark because the comeback is the opposite of what the person means. It is delivered in a playful voice to let the recipient know that it is meant teasingly.
Example 5 from Literature:
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to go,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where,” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“—so long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
—Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Alice needs to know how to get out of Wonderland when she asks the Cheshire Cat for help. While the Cat’s answers are accurate, they are not helpful to Alice, making them sarcastic.
Example 6 from Literature:
“What were you doing under our window, boy?”
“Listening to the news,” said Harry in a resigned voice.
“Listening to the news! Again?”
“Well, it changes every day, you see,” said Harry.
—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
In this situation, Uncle Vernon is reprimanding Harry for snooping. Vernon wants Harry to stop hanging out by the window to listen to his conversations. Harry’s comeback is comical because he uses the word ‘news’ to point out that he must continue to snoop. After all, the conversation or ‘news’ changes daily.
Free Sarcasm Activities
Free Mini Lesson on Sarcasm: Includes a Video, Slides, and Printables
This lesson introduces students to sarcasm and serves as a vocabulary-building exercise for upper elementary and middle school students. Read the definition of sarcasm and find examples with this free mini-lesson on sarcasm. The lesson includes a video, slides, and printables to help students understand and identify sarcasm in various contexts.
In this mini-lesson, students watch a video explaining the definition and providing examples of sarcasm. After viewing the video, students pause it to complete either the digital or printable organizer. Once they finish the organizer, they resume the video to check their responses. This activity provides an excellent introduction to a lesson on sarcasm, ensuring students can effectively grasp and recognize the concept.
Check out the lesson video here. Be sure to get the handout first. It contains the organizer that goes with the video.
Want to Dig Deeper?
Activity #1: Blog Post
This blog post, “But I Just Love Mondays! 3 Situational Games to Teach EFL/ESL Sarcasm,” provides instructions for game activities.
Activity #2: Blog Post
This post titled “How Do We Understand Sarcasm? explains why it is important to teach young children and individuals with autism to recognize sarcasm.
Activity #3: Poster Explaining Sarcasm with Examples
Have students create their own posters with examples of sarcasm. This would make a great small group activity, with each student creating one section of the poster.
Activity #4: Sarcasm in Pop Culture
Explore examples of sarcasm in popular movies, TV shows, and literature. Have students identify and discuss sarcastic remarks from their favorite characters. This activity helps students recognize sarcasm in various contexts and understand its impact on communication.
Here is an example mini-clip from “Family Guy.”
Activity #5: Sarcasm vs. Irony
Have students compare and contrast sarcasm and irony. You can learn more about irony on my blog here. Provide examples and ask students to identify which is used in different sentences. This activity helps clarify the subtle differences between these two forms of figurative language.
Activity #6: Sarcasm in Historical Speeches
Analyze historical speeches or famous quotes that use sarcasm. Discuss the context in which these remarks were made and their intended effect on the audience. This activity connects figurative language to historical and cultural contexts, deepening students’ understanding.
Here is an example to get you started: One famous example of sarcasm in a historical speech is Winston Churchill’s speech to the House of Commons on November 10, 1942. After the British victory at the Second Battle of El Alamein during World War II, Churchill remarked:
“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
This statement is sarcastic because it undercuts the expected triumphant declaration with a more sobering and realistic perspective on the war’s progress. It highlights Churchill’s ability to keep expectations grounded while still acknowledging a significant turning point.
In conclusion, sarcasm is a powerful rhetorical device that can add humor and wit to conversations. Through this lesson, students will gain a deeper understanding of sarcasm, how it contrasts with irony, and how it is used in various contexts. Students will become more adept at recognizing and using sarcasm effectively by exploring examples from literature, historical speeches, and everyday interactions.
Remember to use the free mini-lesson with a video, slides, and printables to reinforce these concepts in your classroom. Happy teaching, and may your students master the art of sarcasm!
Check out the entire series on figurative language.
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The video lesson on sarcasm is a sample from Figurative Language Digital + Printable Video Lessons & Organizers.
