How to Write a Limerick.
There once was a girl with some time, who
wanted badly to write rhyme.
She checked out this site, and to her delight,
she found writing limericks prime.
You will need Limerick samples Paper Pen Imagination
and audience.
Step 1.
Read other limericks to get an understanding
of limericks.
You can find collections of limericks at your
local library or book store.
Step 2.
Learn the limerick's form.
A limerick is a five-line poem, usually witty
or funny, where the last word of lines one,
two, and five, which each have eight syllables,
rhyme, and the last word of lines three and
four, which each have five syllables, rhyme.
Step 3.
Write the first line, introducing a character
or a location.
The line should be eight syllables and the
last word needs to rhyme with the last words
of lines two and five.
Don't end your first line with the word orange!
Remember, limericks are meant to be funny,
so setting up your joke or idea strongly at
the beginning helps the rest of the poem.
Step 4.
Begin line two.
This line should introduce a plot.
The last word must rhyme with the last word
in line one and the line is again eight syllables.
Step 5.
Construct lines three and four by thinking
of two rhyming words that can serve as the
last words of these two lines.
These lines are five syllables and can introduce
a problem, solution, or maybe just something
that makes the story funny.
Step 6.
Write your final line by reverting back to
the format of lines one and two: eight syllables
long with a last word that rhymes lines one
and two.
This line should wrap up your limerick, either
wittily or humorously tightly.
Step 7.
Read aloud to an audience and enjoy the feedback!
Did you know Although collections of limericks
date back to 1820, Edward Lear is often credited
with popularizing the modern limerick in his
_Book of Nonsense_ first published in 1846.
