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A lady from Leeds...

Updated: Mar 11


What type of writing is this an example of ?


There was a young lady from Leeds
Who swallowed a packet of seeds
Now this sorry young lass
Is covered in grass
But has all the tomatoes she needs



It's an example of a limerick.


A limerick is an amusing nonsense poem of five lines.
The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other. The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other (but don't rhyme with the first, second and fifth lines).

Structure


The structure of the limerick above is as follows:


A 8 syllables

A 8 syllables

B 6 syllables

B 5 syllables

A 9 syllables


Most limericks have a certain number syllables per line and the lines have a similar rhythm. For example, lines one, two and five have the same or a similar number of syllables to each other. Lines four and five have the same or a similar number of syllables.


A syllable is part of a word that contains a single vowel sound. It is pronounced as a unit. For example, 'Leeds' has one syllable and 'swallowed' has two syllables. It is helpful to clap and say a word, at the same time, to check the number of syllables in a word.


A vowel is a sound made without your tongue touching the roof of your mouth or your teeth. One of the letters a, e, i, o, u, also represent such sounds.


Can you adapt the limerick above:


There was a ___________________
Who _________________________
Now ___________
Is _______________
But __________________________


There was a young lady from Leeds
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Download PDF • 191KB


Do you know any good limericks? Have you written one of your own? Share your limericks in the comments section please.


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