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How to Write a Clerihew Poem

Writing a Clerihew poem is straightforward. This whimsical poetry style was developed by Edmund Clerihew Bentley, an English novelist in the early 20th century. A Clerihew poem contains four lines of humorous verse written about a person, preferably well-known.

Things You'll Need

  • Rhyming dictionary
  • List of names
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an interesting character for your poem. Brainstorming is key. Generate a list of options. Compose a Clerihew about a celebrity, historical figure, family, friend or even a pet.

    • 2

      The first line of a Clerihew poem uses the character's name. For instance, the poet, Edgar Allan Poe.

    • 3

      The first line of the verse must rhyme with the second line. For example, "The poet, Edgar Allan Poe, Took interest in an ordinary crow."

    • 4

      The third line of the Clerihew poem is required to rhyme with the fourth and final line. The poem must be funny or quirky and not insulting or offensive like a limerick. As an example, "The poet Edgar Allan Poe, Put horror in an ordinary crow. When a reader's face befell a ghostly white, She dashed through the house to turn on all the lights."

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Poetry

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