The World of Pam Ayres Humor Poetry

Introduction

Pam Ayres has been making people laugh with her poems for over four decades. With her sharp wit, relatable themes, and charming delivery, Ayres blends poetry and performance into an art form. We have read some of her poems in this week's module, let's explore even deeper into her famous works!

 

In this solo WebQuest, you’ll explore Pam Ayres’ poetry and performances, analyze her use of humor, and create your own humorous poem inspired by her unique style.

Task

You will complete the following tasks:

  1. Explore Pam Ayres’ poetry and performances.

  2. Analyze the literary techniques she uses to evoke humor.

  3. Compare her style with another humorous poet.

  4. Create and perform (or record) your own original humorous poem in her style.

Process

 Step 1: Get to Know Pam Ayres

  • Visit her official website: https://www.pamayres.com

  • Watch a few performances on YouTube (search: “Pam Ayres poetry performance”)

    • Suggested poems:

      • "I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth"

      • "They Should Have Asked My Husband"

      • "Oh, I Wish I'd Looked After Me Husband"

Write a short reflection (about 200–300 words):

  • What stands out about Pam Ayres’ delivery style?

  • How does her accent and tone impact the humor?

  • What are your initial impressions of her poetic voice?

 Step 2: Analyze the Humor

Choose two Pam Ayres poems (different from the ones in Step 1, if possible).

Write a mini-analysis (around 400–500 words total) that covers:

  • Use of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition

  • Humor techniques (exaggeration, irony, absurdity, etc.)

  • How ordinary topics are made funny

  • Structure and tone

Step 3: Compare and Contrast

Choose a humorous poem by another poet (e.g., Ogden Nash, Wendy Cope, Spike Milligan, or Shel Silverstein).

 Create a visual Venn diagram or write a comparison paragraph (250–300 words) answering:

  • How is the humor similar or different?

  • Is the tone more satirical, whimsical, sarcastic, or absurd?

  • How does performance or written form affect the impact?

Step 4: Create Your Own Poem

Now it’s your turn to be funny!

Write a humorous poem (12–24 lines) in the style of Pam Ayres. Use:

  • Everyday relatable topics (e.g., getting older, health, pets, technology mishaps)

  • A strong rhyme scheme (like AABB or ABAB)

  • A conversational, down-to-earth tone

  • Humor through exaggeration, irony, or clever observation

 Optional but encouraged: Record yourself performing it! Use your voice and pacing to capture the feel of a Pam Ayres performance.

Evaluation
Category Criteria
Research & Insight Thoughtful reflection and understanding of Pam Ayres' style
Literary Analysis Clear identification of techniques and effective comparisons
Creative Writing Original, funny, well-structured poem that mirrors Ayres’ tone and rhythm
Performance (optional) Expressive, clear, engaging performance video (tone, timing, humor)
Presentation Quality Neatness and effort in written and visual component

 

0-10 in each Category is possible points earned

Conclusion

Through this WebQuest, you've not only examined what makes Pam Ayres such a beloved comic poet—you’ve become one yourself. Humor is a powerful poetic tool, and now you’ve seen how ordinary life, when viewed through a witty lens, becomes the stuff of art.

Credits

Ayres, P. (n.d.). Biography. Pam Ayres Official Website. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://pamayres.com/biography/

Beaming Notes. (2015, December 6). Theme and tone of "Oh! I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth" by Pam Ayres. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://beamingnotes.com/2015/12/06/theme-and-toneh-by-pam-ayres/

The Times. (2024, October 30). Pam Ayres: 'I never set out to be Sylvia Plath'. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pam-ayres-poet-interview-5qj3vqlbl

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, February 18). Pam Ayres. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 18, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pam_Ayres

Teacher Page

Grade/Level

  • College or university level

  • Ideal for courses in:

    • English Literature

    • Creative Writing

    • British Literature

    • Performance Studies

    • Poetry & Spoken Words 

 Grading: 

 

0-1 : did not adequately or at all meet criteria

2-4 : missing some aspects of the requirements

5-7 : Completed all parts, but did the bare minimum, no effort

8-10 : Completed all parts with effort and went above and beyond

 

Learning Objectives: 

  • Identify and analyze humor techniques in contemporary poetry

  • Compare poetic styles across different authors

  • Develop and apply a consistent rhyme scheme and tone in original work

  • Deliver a humorous poem using voice, timing, and performance skills

  • Engage critically and creatively with spoken word poetry