Writing
Clerihews
Clerihews
are fun and easy to write because there are
only a few rules to follow. The rules are:
1.
Clerihews are four lines long.
2.
They use the AABB rhyme pattern. That is, the first and second
lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme.
3.
The name of a person is used at the end of the first line, and the
second line ends with a word that rhymes with that name.
There
are no other traditional poetry rules that apply to clerihews.
Don’t worry about the rhythm or the number of syllables in each
line.
To
write a clerihew, we’ll start with the name Mike.
I
have a friend named Mike.
One
thing he doesn’t like.
Now
we need to think of something he doesn’t like, and importantly,
have a fun or silly ending.
I
have a friend named Mike.
One
thing he doesn’t like -
He
doesn’t like to cut his hair.
Mike’s
been adopted by a bear.
Students
should be encouraged to choose a name, first or last, of someone
they know, which makes the poem more interesting. But, any name will
do if they cannot find a rhyme for the name they first select.
Have
fun!
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