Daddio: 3/29/10 Blog of the Day

Today you need to write a limerick about Grandma and Grandpa. A limerick is a five line poem.  The first rule is that some of the lines in the poem have to rhyme with other lines in the poem.  The second rule is that each line has to have a certain rhythm pattern.  I'll give you the rules first, and then I'll give you an example of a limerick:

Rule 1:  The last words of the 1st, 2nd and 5th lines all have to rhyme with each other. The last words of the 3rd and 4th lines must rhyme with each other.

Rule 2:  The rhythm pattern for the 1st, 2nd and 5th lines all have the following pattern: da DUM da da DUM da da DUM.  The rhythm pattern for the 3rd and 4th lines all have the following pattern: da DUM da da DUM.  Look at the example below to see how the rhythm pattern works.

1. There once was a fellow named Tim
2. whose dad never taught him to swim.
3. He fell off a dock
4. and sunk like a rock.
5. And that was the end of him.

See how the last word of lines 1, 2 and 5 all rhyme?  They all have an "im" sound at the end.  In the same way, lines 3 and 4 rhyme because they both end with the sound "ock."

You can also see that the rhythm pattern of lines 1, 2 and 5 follow the pattern.  First say, "da DUM da da DUM da da DUM" and see how line one fits with it, "There once was a fellow named Tim."  Try this with lines 2 and 5 also.

You can also see that the rhythm pattern of lines 3 and 4 follow the pattern.  First say, "da DUM da da DUM" and see how line 3 fits with it, "He fell off a dock."  Try this with line 4 too.

Now you know how to write a limerick!  Write one about Grandma and Grandpa (or anything about them-- like Alabama, the Air Force or cats).