Types of Understatement and Irony (Figures of speech)

Comedic understatement

Serious statements can become funny through the use of understatement

Verbal Irony

A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant. The use of words to mean something different than what they appear to mean.

Polite understatement

Difficult situations can sometimes result to impolite comments. Using understatement, though, can allow ine to remain polite.

Modest understatement

This understatement can allow one to remain modest.

Ironic understatement

To say one thing with the intention of actually communicating something quiet different.

situational irony

what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate. An outcome that turns out to be very different from what was expected.

dramatic irony

when the audience knows something the characters do not.