×
Grades level iconsGrades 11–12
Session time icon60+ Minutes
Genre information iconNarrative
Video resource type iconVideos

If I Were a Poet: Ironic Narratives

by 826 National, featuring Alistar Bedell, Grade 11, CA
In this lesson, you will practice analyzing different types of a narrative technique called irony. Then, you will write your own scene that uses irony to develop an imaginary experience or character.
About the Author

 ALISTAR BEDELL is someone who is always looking for the art inside of things. They almost always have an earbud in for music just to give life a bit more beauty. They’ve written and performed songs and always enjoy sharing their own personal writing with others. They truly believe that if the world had a little more creative expression in it, then the world could be so much better and life could be easier and we as people could connect better.

Congratulations to 826 Digital Writers’ Showcase Finalist, Alistar Bedell! Watch their video and see the lesson below to learn how to write your own ironic poem or narrative. Read more about Alistar and the other Writers’ Showcase finalists at www.826national.org/826-digital-writers-showcase-2023-finalists

Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3.B Common Core Standards Icon
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
What You Will Do

STEP 1

First, watch the video and follow along with the Mentor Text on page 1 of the Ironic Narratives — Handout. Then, answer these prompts in your writing journal: “In your own words, define irony. What is ironic about this poem?”

STEP 2

Irony is a narrative technique that contrasts reality with what the audience expects will happen. There are 3 basic types of irony: dramatic, situational, and verbal irony. Follow the directions on page 2 of the handout to learn more about these types.

STEP 3

Next, you will prepare to write your imaginary scene. A scene is a section of the overall narrative. It usually all takes place in one location, with one set of characters. The scene you will write will feature 1 of the 3 types of irony. (If you need help remembering the different types of irony, revisit page...

Login Blurred Image

See more Videos at this level

Grades 9–12
Videos
Remix Your Writing

by Robin Reid Drake, 826CHI

Poetry

826CHI Teaching Artist, Robin Reid Drake, shares an original writing prompt that encourages students to borrow lines from their favorite pieces of writing and then remix them into something new.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: Art as Activism with Martin Sheen

by 826 National and Life Stories

Narrative
Poetry

Activism and art are personal—they are fueled by your perspective of the world. In this lesson, you will write a poem or a narrative that shares your deep connection to an important topic or issue.

Grades 3–12
Videos
Book Scavenger Hunt Poetry with Amanda Gorman

by Amanda Gorman

Poetry

Presidential Inaugural Poet, activist, and bestselling author Amanda Gorman shares one of her favorite techniques for starting a poem or getting over writers' block.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Reflections on Writing from Jason Reynolds

by Jason Reynolds

Memoir
Narrative
Poetry

National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and NYT Bestselling Author, Jason Reynolds, joined 826 students for a conversation on his video project, "For Every One."

Grades 2–12, k
Videos
Write. Read. Feel. with Mychal Threets

by Mychal Threets, librarian and literacy ambassador

Memoir
Narrative
Poetry

Librarian and literacy ambassador Mychal Threets invites you to write about your feelings, your way with four writing prompts to explore your emotions on the page.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: Find Your Funny with Roz Chast

by 826 National and Life Stories

In this lesson, you will find the funny in your everyday life experiences and share those moments in a cartoon.

Grades 9–12
Videos
For Every One

by Jason Reynolds

Memoir
Narrative

Part letter, part long-form poem, "For Every One" offers reflections and courageous words about unraveling and rebuilding one's dreams.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: From Your Perspective with Tony Hawk

by 826 National and Life Stories

Narrative

From skateboarding to fashion, we all have a deep love for something. Choose a hobby or skill that you’re passionate about and then tell the story of how you grew to love it.

Grades 9–12
Videos
The Art of Revision with Shavon Doyle-Holton

by 826 National

Informational
Narrative

Revision is the process of making substantial changes in your writing. In this lesson, you will use revision strategies to strengthen a current piece of writing you’re working on.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With . . . Life Stories: Moments as Poetry with Reginald Dwayne Betts
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Poetry

In this lesson, you will hear about the life and art of Reginald Dwayne Betts and write a poem that captures a meaningful moment from your everyday life.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Writing & LinkedIn with Erin Polgreen

by 826 National

Memoir
Narrative

Senior Business Development Manager Erin Polgreen shares more about the ways she sees LinkedIn users engaging with writing on the platform.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With . . . Life Stories: Singing Through Struggles with Gloria Estefan
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Media

Songwriters are powerful storytellers. Their lyrics can connect us, uplift us, and even heal us. In this lesson, you’ll identify a story of your own and turn it into original song lyrics.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Floor Plan

by Amy Dupcak, 826NYC

Memoir
Narrative

Writer and teaching artist with 826NYC, Amy Dupcak, shares a memoir writing prompts that helps students use specific sensory language to describe a place they love.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With… Life Stories: Storytelling Is Who We Are with Tova Friedman
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Narrative

Stories can bridge our past to our future—but only if we build them. In this lesson, you will reflect on a story from your personal history that you think others could learn from.

Grades 2–12
Videos
Hear Me Out with Javier Zamora

by Javier Zamora, 826 Valenica alumni and New York Times bestselling author

Memoir
Narrative
Persuasive
Poetry

Author Javier Zamora invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Writing & Mental Health with Arielle Johnson (AJ)

by 826 National

Memoir

In this lesson, you will learn a strategy for writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: I Saw. . . I See with Darren Walker

by 826 National and Life Stories

Poetry

In this activity, you will explore your values and the lived experiences that have shaped them, and then write a poem that shares your vision for the future.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Meaning from Shape (Secondary)

by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP

Poetry

Journalist and 826 MSP staffer, Cristeta Boarini, shares a poetry prompt that walks students through using shapes to convey meaning.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Battling the Page with Johan Bergenas

by 826 National

Informational
Narrative
Persuasive
Poetry

In this lesson, you will build your confidence as a writer by battling the page on a consistent basis.

Grades 11–12
Videos
I Remember… with Natalie Moore

by Natalie Moore

Memoir
Narrative
Poetry

In this lesson, you will use journal entries as inspiration for a dynamic narrative poem.

Grades 9–12
Videos
How to Ask Why with Nicole Dungca

by 826 National

Informational
Media

Nicole Dungca, Investigative Reporter at The Washington Post and President of the Asian American Journalists Association, shares strategies for asking key questions.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Notice What You Notice with Austin Bunn

by Austin Bunn

Narrative

Fiction writer, playwright, and screenwriter Austin Bunn shares a writing prompt that will get you noticing--and reimagining--the objects you see everyday.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: The Names We Carry with Katie Couric

by 826 National and Life Stories

Memoir

How do the names we carry affect our identity? In this lesson, you will explore the names you carry and the impact they have on your self-image.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: Soundscape Poems with Jason Reynolds
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Poetry

You will write a “soundscape” poem filled with familiar sounds of your neighborhood or home.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With . . . Life Stories: Excavate Your Story with Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Narrative
Poetry

In this lesson, you will learn about Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis’s life, an idea she calls “fierce-love,” and the importance of learning to love yourself.