Printable limerick writing worksheet for students to create their own poems with syllable and rhyme guidelines.

To write a limerick, we need to follow the specific rules on the worksheet:
1. Lines 1, 2, and 5 must be longer (8 or 9 syllables) and rhyme with each other (let's call this sound "A").
2. Lines 3 and 4 must be shorter (5 or 6 syllables) and rhyme with each other (let's call this sound "B").
3. The rhythm should be bouncy and fun.

Let's build one step-by-step about a cat named Pat.

Step 1: Write Line 1 (Sound A)
We need 8 or 9 syllables.
*Draft:* There once was a fat cat named Pat.
*Syllable count:* There (1) once (2) was (3) a (4) fat (5) cat (6) named (7) Pat (8).
*Result:* 8 syllables. Perfect.

Step 2: Write Line 2 (Sound A)
It must rhyme with "Pat" (hat, sat, mat, bat) and have 8 or 9 syllables.
*Draft:* He liked to sit on a big welcome mat.
*Syllable count:* He (1) liked (2) to (3) sit (4) on (5) a (6) big (7) wel-come (8,9) mat (10). -> Too long.
*Revision:* He always sat on the welcome mat.
*Syllable count:* He (1) al-ways (2,3) sat (4) on (5) the (6) wel-come (7,8) mat (9).
*Result:* 9 syllables. Rhymes with Pat. Good.

Step 3: Write Line 3 (Sound B)
It needs to be shorter (5 or 6 syllables) and introduce a new rhyme sound. Let's use "mouse/house".
*Draft:* He saw a small mouse.
*Syllable count:* He (1) saw (2) a (3) small (4) mouse (5).
*Result:* 5 syllables. Good.

Step 4: Write Line 4 (Sound B)
It must rhyme with "mouse" and have 5 or 6 syllables.
*Draft:* Inside of the house.
*Syllable count:* In-side (1,2) of (3) the (4) house (5).
*Result:* 5 syllables. Rhymes with mouse. Good.

Step 5: Write Line 5 (Sound A)
It must go back to the first rhyme ("Pat"/"Mat") and be long again (8 or 9 syllables).
*Draft:* And that is the story of Pat.
*Syllable count:* And (1) that (2) is (3) the (4) sto-ry (5,6) of (7) Pat (8).
*Result:* 8 syllables. Rhymes with Pat/Mat. Good.

Final Check:
Line 1: There once was a fat cat named Pat. (8 syllables) - A
Line 2: He always sat on the welcome mat. (9 syllables) - A
Line 3: He saw a small mouse. (5 syllables) - B
Line 4: Inside of the house. (5 syllables) - B
Line 5: And that is the story of Pat. (8 syllables) - A

Does it have a bouncy rhythm? Yes.
Is it funny? It's cute!
Did we follow the rules? Yes.

Final Answer:
Here is a limerick you can write on your worksheet:

Line 1: There once was a fat cat named Pat.
Line 2: He always sat on the welcome mat.
Line 3: He saw a small mouse.
Line 4: Inside of the house.
Line 5: And that is the story of Pat.