How to Write a Limerick

There once was a fellow named Jerry,
Who sought to write limericks for Mary.
Perplexed, our dear poet
With eHow's help wrote it '
And Mary he later did marry.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dictionaries
• Poetry Books
• Rhyming Dictionaries
• Thesauri
• Pencils
• Paper
• Pencils
• Pens
• Paper
• Pencils
• Pens

1. Prepare to write five lines of verse. If you're stumped, try starting off your limerick with the traditional 'There once was a ...'

2. Create the following stress pattern in lines one, two and five: da-DA da-da-DA da-da-DA da. For example, "There ONCE was a FEL-low named JER-ry...." You can omit the last unstressed syllable if you prefer.

3. Create the following stress pattern in lines three and four: da-DA da-da-DA da. For example, "Per-PLEXED our dear PO-et." As before, you have the option of omitting the last syllable.

4. Make sure your limerick's rhyme scheme is a-a-b-b-a. In other words, the first, second and fifth lines all rhyme with one another; the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

5. Exploit puns and wordplay.

Tips & Warnings

• The racier, the better. Limericks are notoriously bawdy and obnoxious.
• The last line should deliver a punch, be it surprising, funny or naughty.

[theparadox]

on 10/20/2009 The house had sat on a hill
until jack sold it to jill.
couldnt believe my eyes
what such a big surprise
to see them split the dollar bill.


--would this be considered a limerick, im learning?

[douglaswhaley]

on 8/5/2009 Alas, "mary" does not rhyme with "marry."

[lilwhaler]

on 8/3/2009 i know how to do some stuff!

[musingsallie]

on 5/29/2009 This is so adorable. 5 stars and marked as favorite!

[oldnetman]

on 1/17/2009 Your limerick infos informing
It got my ideas just a swarming
I just had to post
To give you a toast
I hope that this posts not too boring