LIMERICK
Limericks
are five-line poems that are almost always humorous. The first two
lines and the last line rhyme and are longer than the second two
rhyming lines. This poem usually tells a silly story.
In
a boggy old marsh by the sea _____
Sat a frog on a log lonesomely. _____
There in his own shade _____
He spied a mermaid _____
And coaxed her to sit on his knee. _____
That
is a limerick!
Do you know what makes a poem a limerick? First it must have a special
rhyme scheme. The first two lines rhyme with each other, the second
two lines rhyme with each other, and the last line rhymes with the
first two lines. This rhyme scheme is written a-a-b-b-a.
Label
the rhyme scheme in the limerick above by writing the correct letters
in the correct spaces.
A limerick also has a special rhythm pattern.
A
limerick also has a special rhythm pattern.
Line 1 has 3 accented syllables.
Line 2 has 3 accented syllables.
Line 3 has 2 accented syllables.
Line 4 has 2 accented syllables.
Line 5 has 3 accented syllables.
The
rhyme scheme is a-a-b-b-a
Structure
of a limerick:
Lines 1,2, and 5 each have 3 feet (that is,
three stressed, or accented, syllables) and rhyme with one another.
Lines 3 and 4 each have only two feet (that
is, two stressed, or accented, syllables) and rhyme with each other.
These two lines (line 3 and line 4) are always indented.
Clap the rhythm and try to feel the rhythm of the limerick.
A
step by step approach to limerick writing will be helpful.
Line
1: There was an old man with a cane
(state the situation)
Line 2: Who tried to do flips down the lane
(what happened?)
Line 3: but his cane somehow broke
(what went wrong?)
Line 4: And this sorry old bloke
(what went wrong?)
Line 5: Ended up with a terrible pain.
(result)
The
first line (which rhymes with lines two and five) almost always
begins with "There once was…
Line 1:
There was a young maid who said, "Why
What happens or what other information will you tell?
Line
2:
Can't I look in my ear with my eye?
Two short snappy lines that rhyme.
Line
3:
If I give my mind to it,
Two short snappy lines that rhyme.
Line
4:
I'm sure I can do it,
Try to make the last line the best of all.
Line
5:
You never can tell till you try.