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.
My Brother Wants to Be a Chef
Antigravity Machine
I Have an Amoeba
Auntie Gravity
Wally Wards the Sword Swallower
The Tall Tale of Shorty Small
Back-to-School Shopping
Belinda Brooks
How Not to Make a Cardboard Fort
The Stockings Were Hung
Snail Race
Gladiola’s Garden
Bad Bertie Bartigan
The Cow Town Ballet
Melody Ring
My Mouse is Rather Fond of Cheese
Bradley Beard is Rather Weird
The Horsemen Are Headless this Evening
I’m Learning To Play the Piano Today
I Only Like People Exactly Like Me
I Bought a New Tank For My Goldfish
If You Happen to Hop