Edward Lear & Limericks

Limerick A limerick is a short, humorous poem composed of five lines. A limerick typically has a sing-song rhythm and usually is non-sensical in terms of theme. The limerick usually presents absurd situations with a whimsical mood

How to Write a Limerick Step 1: Know the basic characteristics of a limerick. A true limerick has five lines; the first, second, and fifth rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth rhyme with each other. In addition to rhyme, consider: Number of syllables. The first, second and fifth lines should have eight or nine syllables, while the third and fourth lines should have five or six. Meter. A limerick has a certain "rhythm" created by how the syllables are stressed. This is called ANAPESTIC meter. There WAS an old MAN with a LIGHT (a) Who was DRESSED in a GARment of WHITE; (a) He HELD a small CANdle, (b) With NEVer a HANdle, (b) And DANCED all the MERry long NIGHT. (a)

How to Write a Limerick Step 2: Choose the ending of your first line. There once was a fellow (or young girl) named ____ (pick an easy name with one syllable). For example, “Bill” Now make a list of words that rhyme with the last word in the first line—in this case, Bill. Your list of rhyming words might include: hill, drill, pill, skill, will, and ill. OR The distinguished young man of New York; you only need to rhyme with York. List of rhyming words: cork, pork, stork, fork.

How to Write a Limerick Step 3: Use the rhyming words to start to form a “story” There once was a fellow named Bill Who was scared by the sight of a drill Now think of an interesting story. What could happen to someone scared of a drill? Well, you might have an interesting story if Bill had to go to the dentist. There once was a young fellow named Bill. Who was scared by the sight of a drill. He brushed every day So his dentist would say, “Your teeth are so perfect; no bill.”

Chain Limerick Groups of 3 Your job is to write a “chain limerick.” Each of you will write the first line of a limerick – be careful to follow the rhythm – the unstressed/stressed meter. Then, you will pass your first line to your neighbor. You will now have the first line of your neighbor’s limerick. Your job is to write the second line of it. Be sure to rhyme with the first line AND follow the limerick’s meter. First & Second lines: Duh-DUH-duh-duh-DUH- duh-duh-DUH

Chain Limerick Now, you will pass those two lines to your neighbor. Your job is to write lines three and four. Notice that these two lines rhyme with each other, but not with the first two lines. Notice also that the meter is different. Third and fourth lines: Duh-DUH-duh-duh-DUH

Chain Limerick Now, you will pass this almost-finished limerick back to the originator – back to the person who wrote the first line. After you have traded, each of you should have your limerick back. our job is to write the final line. The final line rhymes with the first two lines and contains the same meter. Fifth line: Duh-DUH-duh-duh-DUH- duh-duh-DUH