1. Writing of Poetry: Mini-lesson #2
Limerick
Writing of Poetry:
Mini-lesson #2

2. Origin of the Limerick
May have originated from France and went to England
Popularized in England and especially Ireland
Limericks appeared in Irish and British Literature through the mid 19th century.
A famous line that asks “Will you come up to Limerick?” has forever associated the poem to Limerick, Ireland.
One of the most famous book of limericks is Mother Goose’s Melodies which is nursery rhymes for children.
Meant to entertain and to be funny

3. Limerick Five line poem Funny or nonsensical
Common figurative language: onomatopoeia, hyperbole, alliteration, oxymoron
Syllabification: 8, 8, 5, 5, and 8
Line 1: 8 syllables
Line 2: 8 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables
Line 4: 5 syllables
Line 5: 8 syllables
AABBA rhyme scheme (Lines 1, 2, & 5 rhyme; lines 3 & 4 rhyme)
First line often begins with “There once was…”

4. Limerick There once was a sweet little frog
Who lived by himself on a log.
He saw a fat fly,
And he said, “Oh my!
I think I’ll go out for a jog.”
Rhymes with 2
What happens?
2 short snappy lines
How it ended?
Rhymes with 1 & 2

5. Limerick There once was a farmer from Maine
Whose cow was in terrible pain
He went to the vet
To care for his pet
But then he got caught in the rain.
Rhymes with 2
What happens?
2 short snappy lines
How it ended?
Rhymes with 1 & 2

6. Limerick There once was a puppy named Prince,
Who guarded his owner’s back fence
He barked at the man
Who picked up the can
Stealing garbage just didn’t make sense!
Rhymes with 2
What happens?
2 short snappy lines
How it ended?
Rhymes with 1 & 2

7. Limerick There was an old man from Peru,
who dreamed he was eating his shoe.
He awoke in the night
with a terrible fright,
and found out that it was quite true.

8. Limerick Did you see/hear the rhyme pattern? Lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme.
Lines 3 and 4 may or may not rhyme.

9. Limerick
Remember that 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 __________.