1. Limericks
Mr. Lenzi – Poetry Unit

2. Example of a Limerick
The limerick packs laughs anatomical Into space that is quite economical. But the good ones I’ve seen So seldom are clean And the clean ones so seldom are comical

3. Definition
A limerick is a light hearted, humorous, witty or nonsensical poem
A limerick is 5 lines and always has the following rhyme scheme:
A-A-B-B-A
Typically Lines 3 and 4 are short and lines 1, 2 and 5 are long. This creates momentum headed into the final punch-line

4. History
The form can be found in England in the early years of the 18th century
It was popularized by Edward Lear in the 19th century
Limericks are commonly found in English folk poetry

5. Example #2
There was an old man from Blackheath, Who sat down on his set of false teeth. He said, in his pain, “I’ve done it again, I’ve bitten myself underneath.

6. Complete this limerick
There was a man from Ealing Who liked to hang from the _________. He said, ‘ I can’t wear a hat. But I hang like a ______ And it’s certainly a wonderful ________.

7. Now make your own… Typically limericks tell a simple story
They usually will begin the following ways:
There once was a man/woman named ____________
There once was a man/woman from _____________
Write your own limerick about South High School
It could be about a class, a club, a team, a teacher, etc…
Try to be funny, but make sure it is appropriate and light-hearted (not mean)