• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Verbal, situational and dramatic irony; Allusion, irony, oxymoron and pun). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which type of irony matches this description? Tension or humour created because we can see a character's mistake before they can. (situational irony / verbal irony / dramatic irony) → dramatic ironyPrompt: Is the contrast in what someone SAYS, in what HAPPENS, or in what the AUDIENCE knows?
2. Which device is used? The fire station burned down. (allusion / pun / oxymoron / situational irony) → situational ironyPrompt: Is it a reference to a famous story, contradictory words side by side, a play on words, or the opposite of what's expected?
3. Which type of irony is used here? Stepping out into the freezing rain, Jo said, "What a lovely day for a picnic." (dramatic irony / situational irony / verbal irony) → verbal ironyPrompt: Does a character say something they don't mean?

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: Euphemism, oxymoron, paradox and understatement. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which figure of speech matches this description? The opposite of hyperbole: playing something down for effect.
• Step 1: These figures play with meaning: euphemism softens, oxymoron joins opposites, paradox seems impossible but is true, understatement plays things down.
• Step 2: understatement: Deliberately presenting something as much smaller or less serious than it is.
• Step 3: So the answer is: understatement
• Answer: understatement
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Which figure of speech matches this description? A mild or indirect phrase used instead of a harsh or uncomfortable one. (understatement / euphemism / paradox / oxymoron) → euphemismPrompt: Ask: does it soften, combine opposites in two words, seem self-contradictory as a whole idea, or downplay?
2. Which figure of speech is used here? There was a deafening silence after the announcement. (understatement / oxymoron / euphemism / paradox) → oxymoronPrompt: Two contradictory words side by side → oxymoron; a whole statement that seems impossible → paradox.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Which figure of speech is used here? The company is letting some staff go. (oxymoron / understatement / paradox / euphemism) → euphemismPrompt: Two contradictory words side by side → oxymoron; a whole statement that seems impossible → paradox.
2. Which figure of speech matches this description? Deliberately presenting something as much smaller or less serious than it is. (euphemism / oxymoron / understatement / paradox) → understatementPrompt: Ask: does it soften, combine opposites in two words, seem self-contradictory as a whole idea, or downplay?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-10.