Limericks

Introduction

When thinking about poetry, one might think its something that explores more serious, emotional, or political topics, yet it can also be used for comedic purposes.  In this WebQuest, you will explore limericks, one of the most humorous forms of poetry. Known for their catchy rhythm, playful rhymes, and surprising endings, limericks have been making readers laugh for centuries.

In this WebQuest you will imagine yourself as a poetry humor critic, whose job is to figure out why certain poems are funny and how poets use structure and language to create laughter. By the end of this quest, you’ll not only understand limericks but you will be creating one of your own!

Task

In this WebQuest, you will:

  1. Learn what a limerick is and how it works

  2. Read and analyze several classic funny limericks

  3. Identify humor techniques used in poetry

  4. Create one original limerick that follows the correct structure

 

You will submit:

  • Short written responses to guided questions

  • One original limerick

Process

Step 1: Learn the Basics

Research the following questions:

  • What is a limerick?

  • How many lines does it have?

  • What is the rhyme scheme?

  • Why are limericks usually funny?

Step 2: Read Funny Poems

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER: 🧐

  • What makes each poem funny? 

  • Which line feels like the punchline?

  • Is the humor silly, exaggerated, or unexpected?

 

Classic Limericks:

Limerick 1:

“There was an Old Man with a beard” – by Edward Lear

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44622/there-was-an-old-man-with-…

Limerick 2:

“There was an Old Person of Dover” – by Edward Lear

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44630/there-was-an-old-person-of…

Limerick 3:

“There once was a man from Peru” – Anonymous (Public Domain)

https://interestingliterature.com/2016/12/12-of-the-best-and-funniest-l…

 

Step 4: Create Your Own Limerick: Now it’s your turn!

Your limerick must:

  • Have 5 lines

  • Follow the AABBA rhyme scheme

  • Tell a short, silly story

  • End with a humorous twist

 

Topics can include:

  • A strange character 🥸

  • An embarrassing moment 🤓

  • A funny animal 🦔

  • Something totally absurd 🤪

Evaluation

Criteria

Excellent (A)

Satisfactory (B–C)

Needs Improvement (D–F)

Research Summary

Clear, accurate, thoughtful

Mostly clear, some detail missing

Incomplete or unclear

Poem Analysis

Strong explanation of humor

Basic explanation

Minimal or incorrect

Original Limerick

Correct form, very funny

Mostly correct form

Incorrect form or missing

Effort & Creativity

High creativity and effort

Some creativity

Little effort shown

 

Conclusion

Congratulations! Your trip into amusing poetry is now complete! You now know that poetry doesn't have to be intimidating or extremely serious. Limericks demonstrate how humor may be produced by combining creativity and structure. I hope this WebQuest made poetry seem approachable, lighthearted, and enjoyable to you!

Credits

Lear, Edward. “There Was an Old Man with a Beard.” Poetry Foundation,

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44622/there-was-an-old-man-with-…. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.

 

Lear, Edward. “There Was an Old Person of Dover.” Poetry Foundation,

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44630/there-was-an-old-person-of…. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.

 

“12 of the Best and Funniest Limericks Ever Written.” Interesting Literature,

https://interestingliterature.com/2016/12/12-of-the-best-and-funniest-l…. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.