Which of the following is NOT a type of irony?

The correct answer is literal irony because it does not fit into the established categories of irony that are commonly discussed in literature and rhetoric. Verbal irony occurs when a speaker says one thing but means another, often used to convey sarcasm or emphasis. Situational irony arises when there is a stark contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs, creating a surprising twist. Dramatic irony involves a situation where the audience knows more about what is happening than the characters do, leading to tension or humor based on this discrepancy.

Literal irony is not typically classified as a form of irony in this way, as it suggests a straightforward, non-figurative use of language without the inherent contrast or contradiction that characterizes the aforementioned types of irony. Therefore, while verbal, situational, and dramatic irony all involve some form of unexpected contrast, literal irony lacks this complexity, making it the correct choice for what is NOT a type of irony.