1. Limericks are short, light- hearted poems that satirize (poke fun at and point out the flaws of) politics, the customs of society, or public figures.

2. Limericks follow these rules: Limericks follow these rules:  Five lines long  Rhyme scheme is A, A, B, B, A This means that the last words in the “A” lines (1, 2, and 5) rhyme and the last words in the “B” lines (3 and 4) rhyme.

3. Example: A There once was a man named Tatoo A who got sick from eating a shoe B “I think I shall die,” A There once was a man named Tatoo A who got sick from eating a shoe B “I think I shall die,” B he said with a sigh, A “unless this is only the flu.” B he said with a sigh, A “unless this is only the flu.”

4. Limericks follow these rules:  Lines 1, 2, and 5 have 8-10 syllables.  Lines 3 and 4 have 5-6 syllables.  Count the number of times your mouth opens to help you count the syllables or word parts. The number of syllables depends on the flow and rhythm: read it aloud to hear how it sounds. The number of syllables depends on the flow and rhythm: read it aloud to hear how it sounds.

5. Example: (8) There was an old man from Peru (8) who dreamed he was eating a shoe. (5) He woke in a fright (5) in middle of night (8) and found it was perfectly true!

6. Write a Macbeth-related limerick for tomorrow. Options: Describe and evaluate a major character in your limerick Describe and evaluate a major character in your limerick Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Duncan, Macduff Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Duncan, Macduff Create a pro-Macbeth or anti- Macbeth limerick from the perspective of another character Create a pro-Macbeth or anti- Macbeth limerick from the perspective of another character Summarize the plot thus far Summarize the plot thus far