The Hidden Edge

Irony, used gently conveys amused mockery or banter.  It is the back bone of spoofs and has a notorious role in the British sense of humour.  Having done some research I found it really difficult to find a simple description that easily conveys its meaning.  This, I think, is because what might seem ironic to me may not necessarily seem to be ironic to others. 

For the purpose of this Blog irony is the use of language to convey an outward meaning and different inward meaning.  Irony tends to fall into three categories

The first is where there are two audiences, one that understands what is going on and is privy to the underlying plot and acts as an observer whilst the other is uninitiated can only react to the outward meaning, a good example is ‘Candid Camera’ which links dramatic irony with humour. 

The second is rhetorical irony which is based on the use of language that is saying one thing whilst deliberately meaning the opposite which is obvious to the listener; for example when someone says “Warm enough for you” but actually means what a cold and wet day it really is.  Hyperbole is used to great ironic effect.  http://thehiddenedge.blogwessex.com/2007/07/29/end-of-an-era/

The third is situational or circumstantial irony where the expected outcome is opposite to the actual outcome better perhaps described as a flaw of fate.  This tends to be subjective. 

Irony is sometimes confused with sarcasm.  Certainly irony is a major means in the Sarcastic’s tool box.  But when it is used it is cruel, taunts and ridicules.

But there can be a fine line between what one finds humorous and what others may consider to be bullying.  Now I am not going all politically correct here – what I am saying is that, it is worth considering whether the words you are using and implying will come across without the support of your tone of voice and body language.

Even when you speak ironically the listener may not necessarily be on the same wave length and your humour may hit way of the mark.  When you don’t have the bonus of sight and tonal communication – irony needs to be used carefully. 

Many written works are considered masterpieces of irony and the authors have set the tone based on the words that they used so that you are in doubt as to the genre you are reading.  In short marketing pieces whether it is internal or external communications the use of words must be considered carefully to ensure the correct message is received. 

Let’s face it – if your literal meaning, which has an alternative intention, is acted upon literally; you may not be laughing.  Imagine if your April fools joke is actually believed by your clients and staff?  Likewise if you make a flippant comment that someone takes seriously!  Ratner’s crap gold jewellery springs to mind!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ng9iooXUxQ

This is probably hyperbole, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbole) but for those who have been following our Blog musings, this is the last month that the Blog Buddies will be encouraged to participate by the Blog Master.  It has been great fun, interacting with my Blog Buddies and discovering the what and the how; even if most of the technical activities were really above my head.

I wonder how many of us will be Blogging in another six months, and whether those who have fallen by the wayside will resume, when the time is right for them.  It does take time to get into it.  Like most things I suppose!  You need to devote time to master skills and you can’t expect people just to want to read your Blog because it is there.

Six months ago I was quite scared of adding to others’ Blogs for want of upsetting or indeed appearing a dim wit, but recently I have found the confidence to add my tuppance, and have had a response back to my own Blog.  I am invigorated and plan to add to a stranger’s Blog each week from now on.

What me (and me buddies) could do with, is for those, who regularly read but don’t usually comment, to let us know that you are there?  A smiley would do fine! ;0)

And to continue the hyperbole how about this …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edy-F5-2HME

Next week I promise to write about epitaths so if you would like to know what that’s all about then click on comment then click on RSS and you’ll automatically receive notification when it is published.

I have today found a great website by Tim Sheppard.  A name that has significant meaning for me from my past; I am feeling very reminiscent at the moment.  I guess, that is, having just turned 45; I am now, half way through my life. 

Tim was the name of my first ‘real’ boyfriend who was good friends with a guy called David Sheppard aka Dinky.  He married my friend Patsy, had two kids and lived happily ever after. 

I digress: back to Tim Sheppard’s great website.  It is a story tellers dream and it does come up top on a Google search for story telling.  In particular please do spend the time to read this insightful piece by the most famous American story teller of all; Mark Twain

…. http://www.timsheppard.co.uk/story/dir/twain.html  

And I pause …. Of course, when I am writing I can pause in any number of ways:  the colon as here, or the semi, a comma, or indeed a series of dots – what are they called?  Oh yes, and the dash!  The question that Twain now awakens is what punctuation depicts the right pause length?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHSlyyzUR78 

Please carry on telling me your great stories or indeed debate with me what Twain dictates.  If, however, you don’t like sharing, yet love my Blogs, then click on comment and RSS to get an automatic update when I have posted something new.

At the end of a rather wet and windy Weymouth bank holiday weekend, the sun has come out just in time to put fingers to keyboard to type set this week’s Blog. 

As usual, I got diverted when I started reading this newsletter article in World Wide Words, to which I subscribe:  http://www.worldwidewords.org/nl/kfty.htm#N5

The content in this article took me back to Lynne Trusses book that I had been reading over the last May bank holiday Eats, Shoots and Leaves.  She eloquently describes punctuation as being the art of separating the parts of written composition so that the meaning can be readily understood. 

The value of sharp punctuation, in sales copy, cannot be over estimated.  It does not necessarily have to follow the grammatical rules.  Indeed, in advertising copy, quite often the position or exclusion of punctuation accentuates wit.

“A woman, without her man, is nothing. 

A woman: without her, man is nothing.” 

Another of the quotes I love from Lynne Trusses book; “punctuation points up – rather in the manner of musical notation – such literary qualities as rhythm, direction, pitch, tone and flow.”   

If you want your copy to be read in the way that you wish, then you must punctuate accordingly to let your sentences contain a pleasant rhythm. 

This is superbly illustrated by Dean Martin and Victor Borge? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7L02tCNi0I Enjoy!

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One of the  most common mistakes I find when I am proof reading is the use of the plural verb in relation to a business entity.

A singual subject must have a singular verb and likewise in the plural.

For example “Business Solutions provide bespoke training for corporate organisations on excellent customer experiences”,  should read Business Solutions provides … Why?  Because there is only one Business Solutions - regardless of how many solutions and how many people work for this company.

This leads to the other common gramatical problem.  A significant number of companies describe what they do!  Of course, a company is a single entity and the reference should therefore be what it (the company) does. 

Indeed when referring to what the staff do, the words should actually refer to what the staff does as staff is singular! 

Website copy is always the worst!  Do check yours and let me know if you have fallen foul of any of these common gramatical mistakes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3vHN1Aadck