Limericks are short, five-line poems with a specific rhyming pattern. They tend to be about peculiar people and interesting places. Plus, they’re almost always really funny!
Writing a limerick can be a lot of fun, whether you’re trying to entertain friends, add a playful twist to a story, or just challenge yourself creatively. Limericks are those short, catchy poems that have a certain rhythm and usually make us laugh. The best part? They’re not as hard to write as you might think! With a simple structure and a few basic rules to follow, anyone can craft a great limerick.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to write one in 8 easy steps, even if you’ve never written a poem before. Ready to give it a try? Let’s dive in!
What Is A Limerick Poem?
Twinkl defines a limerick poem as a type of poem where the first, second, and fifth lines have the same rhyme and rhythm. The third and fourth lines within a limerick will rhyme too! It’s short, punchy, and often funny.
Limericks are composed of a single stanza, or collection of lines inside a poem, similar to a verse in a song. The rhyme scheme is always AABBA.
Limericks are typically humorous poems, however, they are not limited to this. The final sentence is intended to be humorous and is often read quickly.
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What Is The Structure Of A Limerick Poem?
A limerick typically follows the same simple structure:
- Lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme.
- Lines 3 and 4 rhyme.
- The rhyming pattern is AABBA
- Lines 1, 2, and 5 are longer and have approximately the same number of syllables (usually 8-10) in each.
- The lines 3 and 4 are shorter, with the same number of syllables (5-6).
- The first line sets up the subject, so it usually ends with the name of a person or place.
- The second line gives more details about the subject.
- Lines 3 and 4 give us some action about the subject.
- The last line is the punchline, usually the consequences of lines 3 and 4.
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How To Write A Good Limerick Poem
Writing can be really fun if you plan to create a limerick with your little learners. We are sure they’ll enjoy putting their ideas together to create an amusing poem to read and show others.
Here are six simple steps to have in mind when writing a limerick poem or when you teach your children to do it:
1. Find a narrative
Like any other poem, the limerick poem has to tell a story and have a main character or theme. Think of a limerick poem as a very short story.
2. The subject should come first
The first verse should introduce the main character or the subject you chose for your poem. Always start a limerick poem with the subject. For example, you can pick a name for your character or use your own and find words that rhyme with it. You’ll see what amusing poem you can come up with.
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3. Focus on Rhythm
The rhythm, or meter, of a limerick is essential. The pattern is typically da-DUM-da-da-DUM-da-da-DUM (for lines 1, 2, and 5) and da-DUM-da-da-DUM (for lines 3 and 4). To get this right, practice reading your lines aloud to check if they flow smoothly.
4. Add Humor or Wit
Limericks are meant to be amusing, often with a twist or punchline in the final line. It could be a silly observation, an unexpected ending, or a clever joke.
After you’ve introduced the character or the theme, you can let your imagination run free. Limericks are meant to be a bit silly and playful, so you can get creative with your humor.
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5. Read your creation out loud
The simplest approach to determine whether your limerick poem has the correct rhyme pattern is to recite it aloud. If writing was enjoyable, imagine how much fun you’ll have to hear your masterpiece.
6. End with a twist
If you want to get some chuckles out of your limerick, end with a plot twist. This is like the punch line to a joke that everyone is waiting for, so don’t keep them waiting!
7. Always follow the rhyme scheme
You can pick any topic for your limerick and have as much fun as you want with it, but remember to always stick to the AABBA rhyme scheme and the limerick’s rhythm.
Rules To Follow When Writing Limericks
Limericks have a set of rules that you need to follow. The rules for a limerick are simple:
- They are five lines long.
- Lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme with one another.
- Lines 3 and 4 rhyme with each other.
- They have a distinctive rhythm (which I’ll explain shortly)
- They are usually funny.
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Example of a Limerick
The rhyme scheme of a limerick is known as “AABBA.” This means that the final words in lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme. Those are the “A’s” in the rhyme scheme. The “B’s” are the last words of lines 3 and 4.
Let’s look at this example:
There was a young fellow named Hall
Who fell in the spring in the fall.
‘Twould have been a sad thing
Had he died in the spring,
But he didn’t—he died in the fall.
— Anonymous
You’ll see that the words, “Hall,” “fall,” and “fall” all rhyme. These are the “A” words in the “AABBA” scheme. And the ‘B’ words “thing” and “spring” rhyme.
FAQs On How To Write a Limerick
A limerick is a five-line humorous poem with a distinct AABBA rhyme scheme and a rhythmic pattern that makes it catchy and fun to read.
The rhythm of a limerick typically follows a da-DUM-da-da-DUM-da-da-DUM pattern for lines 1, 2, and 5, and a da-DUM-da-da-DUM pattern for lines 3 and 4. This consistent meter is key to making the poem flow.
Yes, limericks are traditionally humorous, witty, or even nonsensical. The goal is to entertain with a playful or clever twist.
Lines 1, 2, and 5 are typically longer, with 8-9 syllables, while lines 3 and 4 are shorter, with 5-6 syllables.
Limericks follow the AABBA rhyme scheme, meaning lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme, while lines 3 and 4 rhyme with each other
The limerick does not have a definitive number of syllables. Commonly, lines 1, 2, and 5 have nine syllables, while lines 3 and 4 have six. But that’s not always the case.
Conclusion
When writing a limerick always ensure they are short, catchy poems and have a rhythmic pattern that is usually funny. If yours don’t meet these characteristics then you may have to rewrite following the tips aforementioned in the article.
References
- poetry4kids.com – How to Write a Limerick
- superprof.co.uk – A Complete Guide On How to Write A Limerick
- twinkl.com – What is a Limerick Poem?
