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.

You Can Never Be Too Careful by Kenn Nesbitt
You Can Never Be Too Careful
Broken
The Monster Mattress Superstore by Kenn Nesbitt
The Monster Mattress Superstore
Merlo the Magnificent
Octopus for Lunch
This Morning at School by Kenn Nesbitt
This Morning at School
Presently Surprised
I Taught My Cat to Clean My Room
Thanksgiving Leftovers
Easter Feaster by Kenn Nesbitt
Easter Feaster
Wishing for Fish
The Biggest Burp Ever
I've Started Getting Younger by Kenn Nesbitt
I’ve Started Getting Younger
Homework, I Love You
Christmas Shopping
Don't Ever Bite Your Sister by Kenn Nesbitt
Don’t Ever Bite Your Sister
My Brother's Not a Werewolf by Kenn Nesbitt
My Brother’s Not a Werewolf
I Went to the Doctor
My Project for the Science Fair
Thanksgiving Dinner by Kenn Nesbitt
Thanksgiving Dinner
I’m Practically Perfect
For My Brother On His Birthday by Kenn Nesbitt
For My Brother, On His Birthday
My Family Portrait by Kenn Nesbitt
My Family Portrait
I Raised My Hand in Class by Kenn Nesbitt
I Raised My Hand in Class

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