GP Essay Skills - Paper 2 -Irony and Paradox

4. IRONY & PARADOX (Tip: CONTRADICTION!)

Task:

- Irony: Contradiction between expectation and reality

- Paradox: A contradiction that is nonetheless true

Template:

- “While we expect X…., Y….”

- “X . However, Y… “

Examples:

i. Explain in your own words the irony in “After all, the doctor is himself in the same boat.” (AJC Prelim 2007)

Ans. One would expect the doctor to be able to help the patient with their psychological problems (expectation) but the reality is that he himself is in need of help/ he faces similar problems as the patients (reality).

ii. What is ironic or contradictory about the headline, “No Singlish please, we are Singaporean”? (GCE A Level 2002)

Ans. One would expect Singlish, being a Singaporean construct that sets us apart from other nationalities, to be embraced by Singaporeans. However, this language that is so much a part of our heritage is denied recognition.