Funny Limericks

How to Write a Limerick

Learn all you need to know to excell in this popular verse format of limerick writing. NEW EDITION Get it Now!

ISBN 978-1-4452-6266-6 (Order online or from your local bookstore)

Poetry or verse needs rhyme and rhythm.

Rhyme is where the end words have similar sounds like "right" and "write"; "limerick" and "slimerik" even when they look different. Near rhymes are sometimes used like "poet" and "goat" especially in non-serious verse.

Rhythm is the pattern of stresses in the line. Words have some of their syllables more stressed than others such as: poetry, limerick, stanza, doggerel.

A limerick writer of note
Accused of just acting the goat
Had claimed in defense
It's all a nonsense
I'd rather be known as a poet.

This is the traditional structure of the single verse limerick:

di dum di di dum di di dum         A
di dum di di dum di di dum         A
di dum di di dum                        B
di dum di di dum                        B
di dum di di dum di di dum         A

Try to have the punch line coming last and make it witty and unexpected for the best effect.

Alliteration is where there is a series of words starting with the same sound such as:

A Limerick lady in love
Heard soft cooing sounds from above.
She saw on the ceiling
A sight most revealing,
And grasped at her gob with her glove!

So now you know the right way to write a limerick.

Note: US style spelling used. In UK English defense is spelled defence but both are pronounced the same way.

"It takes a heap of sense to write good nonsense" - Mark Twain

You also might like to check out: 700 Limericks & How To Write Them Paperback book or Download. Explains in greater detail how to write a limerick and the use of alliteration, assonance, consonance, pace, tone and other poetic devices with over 700 examples to enjoy and study, by William Clark. Suitable for all ages.

Limericks today -- song lyrics tomorrow

Master the art of the limerick and you are well on the way to becoming a poet or lyric writer. Learn structure, rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, assonance and consonance and you only need inspiration to produce a hit song.

Well, it is not quite that easy but it is a good starting point.

The fairy that fell off the tree
Was told by a gnome,"You are twee."
The fairy replied,
"I might well have cried,
But instead I will just kick your knee!"

A LIMERICK writer of note,
Accused of, "Just acting the goat,"
Soon claimed in defence,*
"It's all a nonsense -
I'd rather be known as a poet!"

*US spelling "defense"

700 Limericks & How To Write Them

ISBN 978-1-4452-6266-6 (Order online or from your local bookstore)

William Clark the programmer of the Limerick Checker is a published and broadcast poet.

Like to try one of his songs: Ol' Jim (Magic in Them Feet)

Noise Cancelling Earbuds site If you listen to limericks with earbuds this site has useful information.

The author may be entitled to a commission on items sold from this page.