Limerick | Definition, Structure & Examples - Lesson - Study.com
Learn the basic structure of a limerick and how to write one. Examine limerick examples from history to modern-day.
study.comHere’s the latest overview on limerick rhyme scheme, based on recently discussed standards and common references.
Answer
- A limerick traditionally follows the AABBA rhyme scheme, with lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyming together and lines 3 and 4 sharing a separate rhyme.[5][7]
- The typical meter is anapestic, often with 3 feet in lines 1, 2, and 5 and 2 feet in lines 3 and 4, giving a bouncy, quick rhythm.[7][5]
Key points and context
- Historical consensus remains that the standard form is five lines, with the AABBA pattern being the defining feature; some modern poets experiment with near-rhymes or slight deviations but the traditional form is still the baseline.[2][5]
- Contemporary discussions include playful variations, such as tweaks to syllable counts or occasional substitutions, but these are typically framed as departures from the classic limerick rather than a redefinition of the form.[3][2]
- If you’re looking for examples or teaching resources, several reputable sources outline the form and provide model limericks to study rhythm and rhyme, including poetics glossaries and writing guides.[1][7]
Illustration (example)
- Classic scaffold: AABBA with lines 1-2-5 sharing the same rhyme sound (A), lines 3-4 sharing a different rhyme (B). For instance:
- There once was a cat from Peru (A)
- Who dreamed of a dogwood-bud view (A)
- He chased a red kite (B)
- Through the pale summer night (B)
- And woke with the dawn in a yawn full of dew (A)
If you’d like, I can pull together a few recent scholarly or educational references and compare how different sources describe the exact syllable counts or offer printable templates.