How to Write a Limerick

How to Write a Limerick1 How to Write a Limerick A limerick is a special type of short poem that has comical and musical aspects attached to it. These types of poems strictly follow certain rhythm and rhyme patterns. Usually comprising of five lines, the comical and rhythmic poems form an interesting method of making children enjoy learning.

If you want to write a limerick then following guidelines will be very helpful for you. Give a read to the instructions and make your own funny and interesting limerick

Steps to Be Followed for Writing Limerick

The very first thing you need to do is to know the basic characteristics of a limerick. Learn about the rhyming patterns, syllables and meter. As limerick has five lines, make sure that while the first, second and fifth rhyme with each other, the third and fourth rhyme together. Similarly, carefully determine the number of syllables. Make sure that while the first, second and fifth lines have eight or nine syllables, the third and fourth lines have five or six.
Choose the ending of your first line. You may select any word with first syllable stressed or the second syllable stressed. For instance, if you for a geographical place like New York, then the second syllable of New York is being stressed.
Think about the words that will easily and interestingly rhyme with your first line ending. Try to be creative by going for words that will make your limerick funny and exciting. For instance, if you go for New York where the second syllable is stressed, you will have to think of words that will rhyme with York like cork, fork, mock, pork, cock, shock, lock etc. prepare a list of the rhyming words.
Now try to develop a theme of the poem based on the rhyming words. Make association with the rhyming words to arrive at a topic for your limerick. For instance, with combination of words like cock, lock, shock, mock you can develop an interesting theme for you limerick. Think of a story line and try to relate your words with the story idea.
Go for a story line that is exciting and appealing. Decide about the character(s) of your story and introduce the character in the first line. Focus on the distinguished features that will make your limerick really interesting.
Think of a situation or action where your character will be introduced. This shall be the starting point of your story. Try to use some rhyming words with it. For instance, the fat, young cock was dining heavily on pork. Carefully note how the rhyme in the line 1 gels with the subject in line 2.
Add some twist or turn into your limerick, while following the rhyming pattern. This is to be inserted in the 3rd and 4th line. Adding an interesting twist to the limerick is not an easy task but here your creativity is put to test.
Now end your limerick with a perfect punch line. Check your list of rhyme words and find the most apt word to wrap up the story. Though difficult, with little patience and practice you are sure to come up with some really funny and interesting limericks.