Every day, people all over the world use words in different ways. Sometimes they are used to make someone laugh, while other times it is used to hurt someone’s feelings. A form of speaking that has taken a rise in past years is sarcasm.

October is National Sarcastic Awareness month. During this time, people usually look out for sarcastic remarks, while others use this time to speak sarcastically.

For those that don’t know, sarcasm is a way of words that is used to convey an idea by using irony. While most sarcastic remarks may not use irony, the structure of sarcasm is based upon the idea of irony. The body of sarcasm is a form of tone used in one’s voice and the soul of sarcasm in the feeling that is trying to be produced in the remark.

Senior Jessica Anaya uses sarcasm more than anything else.

Every moment I have, I use sarcasm,” Anaya said. “If I have a problem with someone of if someone is trying to start something with my, by using sarcasm, they get what I am trying to say and leave me alone. However, I can use sarcasm with a friend and he/she understands what I mean compared to a teacher who could take it the wrong way.”

Sarcasm can be used in many instances. For example, when something bad happens, people use the sarcastic remark, “That’s just what I need, great!”, to convey their troubles. When someone says something that is obvious, people use the remark,” Really Sherlock”, to explain the simplicity of the subject that the remark is focused on.

Even though sarcasm is mostly known for its negative attributes, it still contains a positive side. For one, you can sound sincere in a difficult manner. Also sarcasm is a synonymous with wit and can make you sound intelligent. Not to mention that it can humorous, that is is easy to use and that it is a quick reaction.

Junior Anthony Robertson sees that sarcasm has many pros.

“ I use sarcasm every day,” Robertson said. “Every time I use it I make sure that I use it correctly so that I don’t look like a jerk. When I do use it in the right context, it can strike humor into people because people don’t get it right away, but when they do, then it becomes a group joke. Also, when using sarcasm to be discreet, you can spare someone’s feelings.”

In contrast, junior Ariel Tevault sees that sarcasm can be more hurtful than helpful.

“Personally, I am a frequent user of sarcasm,” Tevault said. “Even though you can hide your emotions and true feelings with sarcasm, there are consequences that follow. If you use it to often, then people start to think that you are lying even when you are not trying to be sarcastic. Also, if sarcasm is used to focus on the negative features of someone or something, it can backfire from a friendly joke to a hurtful insult.”

Sarcasm in general can be used in many different matters and can convey a serious point in a fun manner. However, we should all remember that sarcasm, when used incorrectly, can hurt others.