limerick

To begin, a limerick is a funny little poem containing five lines. It has a very distinctive rhythm and rhyme pattern. Here is a very famous limerick. Notice both the rhyme and rhythm patterns. || 1. || There was an old man from Peru, (A) da DUM da da DUM da da DUM (3 DUMS) || da DUM da da DUM da da DUM (3 DUMS) || da DUM da da DUM (2 DUMS) || da da DUM da da DUM (2 DUMS) || da DUM da da DUM da da DUM (3 DUMS) || When you write a limerick, make sure that it has the same AABBA rhyme pattern. Make sure it also has the same 3 DUMS, 3 DUMS, 2 DUMS, 2 DUMS, 3 DUMS rhythm pattern, too. To be sure, recite the poem, substituting “da” for all unaccented or unstressed syllables and “DUM” for all accented or stressed syllables, as I have done above. If your poem doesn’t have a similar rhythm pattern, then you need to make some adjustments. Ideas for new limericks can come from almost anywhere. For example, your city, state, country, or name. If your name is Tim or Jim, you could write something like this: A Clumsy Young Fellow Named Tim Notice that the rhyme pattern (AABBA) and the rhythm pattern (3 DUMS, 3 DUMS, 2 DUMS, 2 DUMS, 3 DUMS) are almost identical to the rhythm and rhyme patterns in the “Man from Peru” limerick. OK, now that you know what the rhythm and rhyme patterns of a limerick are, you’re ready to write one. Here are five simple steps to writing a limerick:
 * ==How to Write a Limerick== ||
 * || To help you get started writing limericks, here’s some helpful information about writing limericks.
 * **Rhyme Pattern:** The last words of the first, second, and fifth lines all rhyme with each other. We’ll call those rhyming words “A,” however the words could be “ Peru,” “shoe,” and “true” as illustrated in the first poem below or “Tim,” “swim,” and “him” as illustrated in the second poem below. And the last words of the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other. We’ll call those rhyming words “B,” however the words could be “night” and “fright” in the first example or “dock” and “rock” in the second example.
 * **Rhythm Pattern:** The first, second, and fifth lines all have this rhythm pattern: da DUM da da DUM da da DUM (notice there are 3 DUMS or beats). Say, “There once was a fellow named Tim” out loud. Now say, “da DUM da da DUM da da DUM” out loud. Notice that both have the same rhythm. The third and fourth lines have a different rhythm pattern: da DUM da da DUM (notice there are 2 DUMS or beats). Say, “He fell off the dock” out loud. Now say “da DUM da da DUM” out loud. Notice that both have the same rhythm.
 * 2. || who dreamed he was eating his shoe. (A)
 * 3. || He awoke in the night (B)
 * 4. || with a terrible fright, (B)
 * 5. || and found out that it was quite true. (A)
 * 1) There once was a fellow named Tim (A)
 * 2) whose dad never taught him to swim. (A)
 * 3) He fell off a dock (B)
 * 4) and sunk like a rock. (B)
 * 5) And that was the end of him. (A)


 * 1. || An easy way to get started is to pick a boy’s or girl’s name that has one syllable (like Bill, Tim, Dick, Sue, or Jill).

There once was a fellow (or young girl) named (pick an easy name with one syllable). We’ll pick “Jill.” So the first line is:

“There once was a young girl named Jill.” ||


 * 2. || Now make a list of words that rhyme with the last word in the first line—in this case, Jill. Your list of rhyming words might include: hill, drill, pill, skill, bill, will, and ill. ||
 * 3. || Now write the second line using one of the rhyming words. Here’s an example:

“Who freaked at the sight of a drill.”

(Notice that the last words in the first two lines rhyme and that both the first and second lines contain 3 DUMS or beats.) ||
 * 4. || Now think of an interesting story. What could happen to someone scared of a drill? Well, you might have an interesting story if Jill had to go to the dentist. Here’s what might happen in the third and fourth lines.

“She brushed every day.”

“So, her dentist would say,”

(Notice that “day” and “say,” the last words in the third and fourth lines, both rhyme. And notice there are 2 DUMS or beats in each line.) ||
 * 5. || Now you need to go back to the list of “A” rhyming words to find one that can end the poem. Here’s an example:

“Your teeth are quite perfect. No bill.” || Here’s the poem we just wrote: There once was a young girl named Jill. Who was scared by the sight of a drill. She brushed every day So her dentist would say, “Your teeth are so perfect; no bill.” Now try it yourself! ||

More On Limericks! = LIMERICK = A Limerick should be humorous and follow a certain pattern. It should make you laugh. All limericks should have the following parts: Five Lines Three long lines (1,2,5) Two short lines (3,4) Lines 3 and 4 are often printed on the same physical line Rhyme Scheme (aa,bb,a) · Lines 1,2 and 5 rhyme · Lines 3 and 4 rhyme Lines have a particular rhythm · Line 1 – Eight syllables with three accented or stressed syllables · Line 2 – Eight syllables with three accented or stressed syllables · Line 3 – Five syllables with two accented or stressed syllables · Line 4 – Five syllables with two accented or stressed syllables · Line 5 – Eight syllables with three accented or stressed syllables __EXAMPLE__ – There once was a sculptor named Gust Who thought he might carve a great bust. On the very next stroke The crazy thing broke, Poor Gust was left standing in dust. You might choose to write calendar limericks using the names of the months in  the first line: January brings sends us snow, Makes our feet and fingers glow, Thin ice it can crack You’ll fall on your back, Off to the hospital you’ll go  When you sneeze and cough and you’re achin’ And you feel that your body is breakin’ Just try to recall It’s still only Fall; Old man winter has yet to awaken! There once was a small guinea pig A deep hole he wanted to dig He dug quite a pile And took quite a while No wonder, he’s using a twig  (Emily McCarron)