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.

Hannah’s Hammer
This Morning at School by Kenn Nesbitt
This Morning at School
Merlo the Magnificent
Octopus for Lunch
I Taught My Cat to Clean My Room
Presently Surprised
The Monster Mattress Superstore by Kenn Nesbitt
The Monster Mattress Superstore
Thanksgiving Leftovers
Easter Feaster by Kenn Nesbitt
Easter Feaster
The Biggest Burp Ever
Wishing for Fish
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
Annette the Detective by Kenn Nesbitt
Annette the Detective
I’m Practically Perfect
For My Brother On His Birthday by Kenn Nesbitt
For My Brother, On His Birthday
I Raised My Hand in Class by Kenn Nesbitt
I Raised My Hand in Class
How to Make People Like You by Kenn Nesbitt
How to Make People Like You

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