LimerickLimerick

A limerick is a humorous poem of A limerick is a humorous poem of five lines. five lines.

It is funny, witty and often silly.It is funny, witty and often silly. It usually starts with “There once It usually starts with “There once

was…” or “There was…”was…” or “There was…” It has a very distinctive rhyme and It has a very distinctive rhyme and

rhythm pattern.rhythm pattern.

Rhyme PatternRhyme Pattern

The last words of the first, second The last words of the first, second and fifth lines all rhyme with each and fifth lines all rhyme with each other.other.

The last words of the third and fourth The last words of the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.lines rhyme with each other.

Therefore, the rhyme scheme of a Therefore, the rhyme scheme of a limerick is limerick is AABBA.AABBA.

Rhythm PatternRhythm Pattern

The first, second and fifth lines all have The first, second and fifth lines all have this rhythm: this rhythm:

da DUM da da DUM da da DUMda DUM da da DUM da da DUM

(notice that there are three beats)(notice that there are three beats)

The third and fourth lines have a The third and fourth lines have a different rhythm pattern:different rhythm pattern:

da DUM da da DUMda DUM da da DUM

(notice that there are only two beats)(notice that there are only two beats)

A few tips for writing your A few tips for writing your own:own:

First, choose the name of a person, place or thing that you want your First, choose the name of a person, place or thing that you want your limerick to be about.limerick to be about.

Next, make up your first line. (There once was… or There was…)Next, make up your first line. (There once was… or There was…)

Brainstorm words that rhyme with the last word of your first line. Brainstorm words that rhyme with the last word of your first line.

Write your second line. Make sure that it rhymes with line one. Write your second line. Make sure that it rhymes with line one.

Now, think of two short sentences that rhyme with each other, but Now, think of two short sentences that rhyme with each other, but not lines one and two. They must describe the topic. not lines one and two. They must describe the topic.

Create your last line and remember that it must rhyme with lines one Create your last line and remember that it must rhyme with lines one and two.and two.

Finally, check your rhythm pattern. Count the beats.Finally, check your rhythm pattern. Count the beats.

Edit, revise and share.Edit, revise and share.

ExampleExample

There once was a boy named GrantThere once was a boy named Grant And man that kid could rantAnd man that kid could rant He’d talk to himselfHe’d talk to himself He’d talk to a shelfHe’d talk to a shelf He’d even talk to a plant.He’d even talk to a plant.