Learn the basics of Limerick poetry. In limerick poetry, there are typically just five lines, which have a distinctive rhyming pattern. According to YCDSB Poetry Writing, in most circumstances, the first, second and fifth line rhyme while the third and fourth line also rhyme with each other. Limerick poems are notorious for using word play, puns and other off-the-wall imagery to explain what is happening in the story. Traditionally, limericks involve the use of language that can be considered inappropriate for children, so when creating limericks keep your audience in mind.
Prepare to write your lines of poetry. Ensure to stress the syllables of lines one, two and five with da-DA da-da-DA da-da-DA da. For example, There-ONCE-was-a-MAN-and-a-LA-dy. The third and fourth lines should have the following stress patterns. da-DA da-da-DA da. For example, Nash-VILLE- was their TRE-sure. The end of the first, second and fifth lines should rhyme while the end of the third and fourth lines should rhyme.
Write about the things that make Tennessee unique. Try writing a limerick about Memphis, Nashville or even Chattanooga. If you are a sports fan, use the names of your favorite sports teams and heroes. You can then recite the limerick with other fans around you. During an election year, you can write limericks about elected officials or election candidates and post them to your favorite social networking site.
Teach facts of Tennessee through classroom lessons. If you are a school teacher, this is a terrific way to teach kids Tennessee history. You can tell the students to write their own limericks about famous moments in Tennessee history and then recite them to one another in class. If you are creative, you can ask the students to recite the limericks while dressed up as rappers and perform in front of their classmates. This is one way to teach students and to keep the students laughing.
Transform your limerick poem into decorative crafts. You can turn your Tennessee limerick into a refrigerator magnet, T-shirt or scrapbook. You can draw or paint famous moments in Tennessee history and write your limerick next to them. Put it in a photo frame and hang it on your wall in the office or bedroom. Show your pride in Tennessee with writing a fun limerick in tribute to the Volunteer state.