LIMERICK

Some people say that the limerick was invented by soldiers returning from France to the Irish town of Limerick in the 1700's. A limerick is a funny little poem containing five lines. Do you remember the pattern for writing a Haiku (5 - 7 - 5)? Limericks follow a different kind of pattern. Lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme.  Lines 3 and 4 may or may not rhyme.

Here's an example:

There was an old man from Peru,

who dreamed he was eating his shoe.

He awoke in the night

with a terrible fright,

and found out that it was quite true.

 Did you see/hear the rhyme pattern?

 Read the following limerick and tell what pattern you hear.

A Clumsy Young Fellow Named Tim

A clumsy young fellow named Tim (1)

was never informed how to swim. (2)

He fell off a dock (3)

and sunk like a rock. (4)

Sadly that was the end of him. (5)

Did you identify the rhythm? To make sure, recite the poem, substituting "da" for all of the syllables (or you could clap or snap your fingers to the rhythm).

Remember that the rhythm is just as important in a limerick as the rhyme. Try completing this limerick.

There once was a pauper named Meg

Who accidentally broke her _______.

She slipped on the ______.

Not once, but thrice

Take no pity on her, I __________.

 

Good for you, now you know how to write a limerick with the correct rhyme and rhythm pattern! Limericks are also meant to be funny. They often contain hyperbole, onomatopoeia, idioms, puns, and other figurative devices. The last line of a good limerick contains the PUNCH LINE or "heart of the joke." As you work with limericks, remember to have pun, I mean FUN!

Think of some funny names, places, or situations. Use your ideas to fill in the limerick templates below. Check for rhyme, rhythm, and appropriate humor.

Template - A:

There once was a ______________ from __________________.

All the while s/he hoped _______________________________.

So s/he _______________________________.

And _________________________________.

That ___________________ from ___________________.

 

Template - B:

I once met a _________________ from ___________________.

Every day s/he _______________________________________.

But whenever s/he ______________________.

The _________________________________.

That strange ___________________ from ___________________.

Hope you're inspired because now it's time for you to create an original lymerick poem. Remember, there can be more than one verse to a lymerick.  

  1. Pick a topic. That will be your theme. Need some inspiration? Check out some Silly Limericks for Kids.
  2. Decide: 1) For what purpose will you write? 2) What mood do you want to convey?
  3. Think of the images, descriptive words, and figurative language that best describe your idea (remember sounds, smells, sights). Jot them down in web form or in a list as you think of them.
  4. Now work on writing your poem. Draft, revise, and edit.
  5. Now, for the real test, read it ALOUD. Does it really paint a clear picture?
  6. Share your poem with someone else. Listen to his or her critique of your poem. A critique is when someone tells you the strengths and weaknesses of your work. DON'T GET MAD, LISTEN to the suggestions. Revise your work. Remember, the BEST writers are REWRITERS!
  7. Give your poem a title.
  8. Type and choose a font that adds to the look of your poem.
  9. Illustrate your poem.

When you have written one you like, enter a Limerick Contest!

 

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