A limerick is a funny little poem
containing five lines. It has a very distinctive rhythm and rhyme pattern.
Rhyme
Pattern: Rhythm Pattern:
A da DUM da da DUM da da DUM
A da
DUM da da DUM da da DUM
B da
DUM da da DUM
B da
DUM da da DUM
A da
DUM da da DUM da da DUM
·Some people say that the limerick was invented by soldiers
returning from France to the Irish town of Limerick in the 1700's.
·Limericks are 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."
A Clumsy Young Fellow Named
Tim
There once was a
fellow named Tim (A)
whose dad never
taught him to swim. (A)
He fell off a
dock (B)
and sunk like a
rock. (B)
And that was the
end of him. (A)
You will soon hear the distinctive beat pattern of all limericks. 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 __________.
LIMERICK
1. Practice the rhythm of limericks by clapping you hands or snapping your
fingers.
2. Think of some funny names, places, or situations.
3. Using the a a b b a 5-line form, write an original limerick about school.
4. How would you illustrate the page if your poem was published in a book of
limericks? What types of art would you use?
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