Clerihew: An Exercise in Clever | Blog
How good is your Clerihew-writing skills? If you're able to be witty and funny without looking smug or vulgar, it might be enjoyable to write clerihews.
In around the turn of century, these smart little rhyming puns were all trendy. The best clerihews can be constructed with a bit of honesty; however, nonsense does not offer the same impact on an emotional level.
Clerihews could be utilized as exercises that stimulate your creativity. The humor can be gossipy and obvious, or a bit unclear, you decide. If it provokes you to think about it, or makes you laugh, then it's well performed.
What is a Clerihew?
Most often, they are designed to make fun of people, so clerihews can be described as funny, short, and irreverent quatrains--four line poems, with the AABB rhyming scheme. The poet, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, described them as "baseless biographical sketches" which is also the name of his third collection, which was published in1939.
The year 1905 was the first time Bentley issued a work that contained his poems. Biography , a guide for beginners The name used was E. Clerihew, with illustrations by his acquaintance G. K. Chesterton. That's why they're called clerihews instead of bentleys.
Who was Edmund Clerihew Bentley?
was born on the 10th day of July, 1875. He was born in London, England, Edmund Clerihew Bentley was also known as E.C. Bentley and E. Clerihew, was a British journalist, poet, and novelist who is best known for inventing the clerihew and various other types of light verse. The poet passed away on the 30th March 1956 at the age of 80.
Bentley invented his first clerihew when a sixteen-year-old student in St. Paul's school in London. His science teacher was named Humphry Davy who was a famous scientist and experimental chemist who created the miner's safety lamp and has been called"the" Davy lamp.
The very first Bentley clerihew was focussed on his instructor. It said:
Following that, Bentley went to Oxford for law school. Following his graduation from Oxford with a law degree Bentley was determined to work in journalism, and returned to the profession. The majority of his working life on the editorial pages of The Daily Telegraph. In his lifetime the newspaper released three collections of Clerihews.
Additionally, he wrote poems and writing for the newspaper to that, he also wrote several short stories, including a bestseller detective novel, The Last Case(1913) in 1913, that was then followed by The Trent's Personal Case in 1936, co-written by Warner Allen, and Trent Intervenes in 1938. The collection includes detective stories.
Clerihew Day
Every year on July 10, E.C. Bentley's birthday day is commemorated with the title of National Clerihew Day. Even though there aren't fireworks or special foods but you are able to celebrate by reading clerihew poems or writing your own.
Clerihews concentrate on comedy, creativity and fun, so have fun! Poetry written in clerihews can make a great educational activity that is suitable for all ages.
Clerihew Examples
Sir Francis Bacon
Edmund Clerihew Bentley
Hannibal
Edmund Clerihew Bentley
Biography
Edmund Clerihew Bentley
To the Poetry Editor at the New Yorker
W. H. Auden
William Cobbett
G. K. Chesterton
How Do You Write a Clerihew
1. Select a Topic
Clerihews are usually about one person, however, they do not have to be and are not always about a genuine person. The very first line includes either the name of the person who is the person who is the subject.
As an example one could write a piece that focuses on the character of Obi-Wan-Kenobi as well as a real person, for instance Ruth Bader Ginsberg, or some other thing like a biography.
This is a current example of Lin Manuel-Miranda, Hamilton's principal actor:
2. It's as straightforward as it gets! AABB
There is only one strict and speedy standard: AABB couplets. The initial two lines rhyme. the next two lines rhyme.
3. Find a way to get a point across
The second line sets up the notion and also explains something regarding the topic. The second line should rhyme with the initial line. The rhyme doesn't need to be true, or even be rational.
3. Contextualize
Third and Fourth lines provide an additional layer to the premise like the joke's punchline. They must rhyme, however they do not have to rhyme with the previous two lines.
4. Create a funny scene
5. It's unpredictability
The irregular meter makes this shape easy to draw and contributes to the fun charm. Lines may be of any length, from single word , up to ten or greater.
"Metrical insaneness is a desideratum," comedian Stephen Fry declared during the film The Ode Less Travelled. "Indeed that it's a extremely unprofessional to have a clerkihew scan."
6. Don't Overthink It
Paul Ingram, owner of Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City as well as a contemporary clerihew master, says "If it takes longer than two minutes you to make out the word "clerihew," it's not likely to work."
Let's Celebrate Creativity!
Clerihew Day is a prime occasion to test the imagination of your child and encourage your imagination. The art of writing poetry will help you look at common situations from a new angle. The most entertaining thing to do is of looking at ordinary situations from a completely different angle or introducing a new twist.
Clerihew poems that focus on the most popular celebrities could create great memes that can be used on social media. the latest use of the old-fashioned design. Check this out!
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