The author of a humorous story has purposely made some ideas and events seem less important than they really are. Which literary device is the writer using?

A. irony

B. understatement

C. hyperbole

D. paradox

When an author of a humorous story has purposely made some ideas and events seem less important than they really are, the writer is using a literary device called B. understatement. An understatement is often used for comic effect. An example is if you win 50 million dollars in the lottery, and you tell people that you feel delighted instead of ecstatic or excited.