Limericks- to- Go

Limericks are supposed to be funny and to be remembered. This lesson allows students to learn the ancient art of writing funny poems. Students will also need to illustrate their poems.


The Laughing Limerick
The limerick is a form of "light" or amusing verse. It has a definite form with a specific rhythm (beat) and rhyme arrangement.

Rhythm:

Here is how the lines should go:

1. ta-TUM ta-ta-TUM ta-ta-TUM

2. ta-TUM ta-ta-TUM ta-ta-TUM

3. ta-ta-TUM ta-ta-TUM

4. ta-ta-TUM ta-ta-TUM

5. ta-TUM ta-ta-TUM ta-ta-TUM

You can change this slightly by adding on an extra syllable to the beginning or end of any line, but this is about all the freedom you are allowed.



Rhyme:

The three long lines (1,2, & 5) must rhyme

The two short lines (3 & 4) must rhyme

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Hints and Suggestions that might help you.

Most (but not all) limericks begin with the phrase

"There once was a __________ from ________."

or

"There was a ________ _____________ from _________."

You don't have to use this beginning, but it is an easy one. In the first blank spot you can put "lady" ("young lady") or "fellow" ("old fellow") or whatever. In the second blank you can put the name of a town or school or any word that tells where the subject is from. It can be a real place on an imaginary one.

Generally it works well to follow this pattern.

Line 1: Tell who it is you are talking about and where he is from

Line 2: Tell something about the person or describe him in some way

Line 3 & 4: Build up or demonstrate whatever peculiarity you have mentioned in line 2

Line 5: Round off the Limerick with an unexpected and funny conclusion, based on whatever you talked about in the first four lines.




Here is a sample for a limerick:

















Sir Nimble's a dog from Downeast
A really most curious beast
Sheltie for a mom,
His dad's Papillon
And though small, he's not scared in the least!

This Nimble's a foxy young fellow
He's quick and he's cunning and mellow
He explores all he spies
With his shoe-button eyes
Even you, before saying his "Hello."

Little Nimble just loves to play ball!
He'll come prancing the first time you call
Like the wind he will run
And he has the most fun!
Doesn't matter at all that he's small!

Our Nimble is sometimes called 'Squirrel-Proof'
He roars like a dragon, in real truth
When he spies gray intruders
Hurls insults, and ruder
And frightens them all to the roof

Site for Examples and Ideas for Limericks