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 Was Brought by a Bunny
I’m Lonely, So Lonely
Welcome Back to School
The First Week of School by Kenn Nesbitt
The First Week of School
Dad in the Sand by Kenn Nesbitt
Dad in the Sand
A Goat Was in a Landfill by Kenn Nesbitt
A Goat in a Landfill
My iPhone Did My Homework
When Sarah Surfs the Internet
I’m Counting the Days until Christmas
My Smartphone Isn’t Very Smart
I'm Glad at Last It's Halloween by Kenn Nesbitt
I’m Glad at Last It’s Halloween
I'll Never Ride the Waterslide by Kenn Nesbitt
I’ll Never Ride the Waterslide
Poor Cinderella
I’m Clever Whenever
The Reason Vance Learned How to Dance by Kenn Nesbitt
The Reason Vance Learned How to Dance
My Sister Thinks She’s Santa Claus
Ugly Couple
My Teacher Ate My Homework by Kenn Nesbitt
My Teacher Ate My Homework
The Showdown by Kenn Nesbitt
The Showdown
This Morning Is Our History Test
The Pirate of Pickletown by Kenn Nesbitt
The Pirate of Pickletown
Egg Drop
Belinda Bell
Today I Packed My Lunch Myself by Kenn Nesbitt
Today I Packed My Lunch Myself

Let's Work Together...

...to improve kids' literacy. Nobody pays me to do this. I do it to help kids fall in love with reading. But I need your help.

Become a member to for as little as $1/month to help me create the resources you need for the young readers in your life!

Learn More about Membership
I Already Joined - Log In Sorry, Not Today