poetic device: Irony

Irony is when what you expect to happen doesn’t occur, but instead results in the opposite action or effect. For example, if someone were run over by an ambulance, or if you went to “Camp Sunshine” and it rained the whole week.

All of these poems have at least one example of irony each, usually at the end of the poem. See if you can figure out what is ironic in each of these poems.

The Monster Mattress Superstore by Kenn Nesbitt
The Monster Mattress Superstore
The Biggest Burp Ever
Octopus for Lunch
Homework, I Love You
My Brother's Not a Werewolf by Kenn Nesbitt
My Brother’s Not a Werewolf
I Went to the Doctor
I’m Practically Perfect
My Project for the Science Fair
Thanksgiving Dinner by Kenn Nesbitt
Thanksgiving Dinner
For My Brother On His Birthday by Kenn Nesbitt
For My Brother, On His Birthday
How to Make People Like You by Kenn Nesbitt
How to Make People Like You
I Raised My Hand in Class by Kenn Nesbitt
I Raised My Hand in Class
My Puppy Likes the Water
Don't Ever Bite Your Sister by Kenn Nesbitt
Don’t Ever Bite Your Sister
A Reindeer for Christmas
Homework for Christmas
Our Teacher Sings the Beatles by Kenn Nesbitt
Our Teacher Sings the Beatles
I Never Want to Go to Bed
I Don’t Watch TV
New Year's Day Promises by Kenn Nesbitt
New Year’s Day Promises
Helping the Teacher by Kenn Nesbitt
Helping the Teacher
Today I Had a Rotten Day by Kenn Nesbitt
Today I Had a Rotten Day
Alphabet Break by Kenn Nesbitt
Alphabet Break
Electronic Christmas