EPITAPH

1
HOW TO WRITE AN
EPITAPH
2
First of all, what is an epitaph?
An epitaph is the engraving that is left on a
tombstone.
It is usually thought of as a statement that sums
up a persons life.
These statements are usually about something the
person did in life or an activity they loved.
3
Sometimes it helps to think of epitaphs as a type
of poetry.
The ends of both lines of an epitaph usually
rhyme. If there are more than two lines, every
other line rhymes.
Most epitaphs are only two lines long and are
roughly about the same length. (Usually the same
amount of syllables.)
Not all epitaphs are written this way, but for
poetic reasons many follow this pattern.
4
Here are a few examples of funny epitaphs, some
are written by former students
Here lies an atheist,All dressed up and,No
place to go.
Here lies the body of our AnnaDone to death by a
bananaIt wasn't the fruit that laid her lowBut
the skin of the thingThat made her go.
Here lies NedThere is nothing more to be
saidBecause we like to speakwell of the dead.
Here lies Adam who
really loved soccerHe got in a fight and
was stuffed in a
locker.
Here lies James who had a real bad dayWhen he
was run over by a fat man riding in a sleigh.
Here lies Matt who really hated schoolHe fell
asleep in class and drowned in his drool.
Here lies Nathan who died at age sevenWhen he
tried to eat school lunch, he went
straight to heaven.
5
Now it's YOUR turn...
Its time to write your own epitaph!
Remember, epitaphs usually start with, Here
lies ____________ who
If you write two lines only, they should rhyme.
If you write more than two lines, every other
line will rhyme.
You might want to think of an activity that you
really enjoy doing and then think of a funny way
that you could die doing it. Think of something
very unrealistic or far fetch to make it funny!
Write at least 7 epitaphs. Do at least one for
yourself. You may use your teachers, parents,
and friends. (BE TASTEFUL) Then choose your two
favorite epitaphs and write them neatly on the
tombstone. Feel free to decorate your tombstone
further with spider webs, bats, etc