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Poetry Forms - Definitions and Examples
Poetry Forms - Definitions and Examples
1. ABC Poem
In an ABC poem, each line of the poem begins with a letter in the alphabet,
starting with A and moving in order through Z.
Examples of ABC poems:
Poem About A Friend
2. Acrostic
Acrostic is a form of poetry where the first or last letters of each line create a name,
word, or phrase.
An acrostic poem is a poem where the one letter in each line spells out a word or
phrase vertically that acts as the theme or message of the poem. The word used for
the acrostic can be the name of the person you are writing the acrostic about, a
message such as Happy Birthday or a theme such as Acceptance, Love or Hope
You can find these words by looking vertically at the beginning or end of the lines.
.
Examples of Acrostic poems:
A Family
F- fiercely loyal to those we love.
A- accepting each for who and what they are.
M- matchless in our hopes and dreams for one
another.
I- instilling pride in our hard fought heritage.
L- learning about our past guides us in the future.
Y- you love and cherish the people of your heart.
3. BIO POEM
A bio poem is used to reveal information to the reader about the poet.
Example
Line 1: First name
Line 2: Who is... (descriptive words that describe you)
Line 3: Who is the brother/sister or son/daughter of...
Line 4: Who loves...(three ideas)
Line 5: Who feels...(three ideas)
Line 6: Who needs...(three ideas)
Line 7: Who gives...(three ideas)
Line 8: Who fears...(three ideas)
Line 9: Who would like to see...(three ideas)
Line 10: Who shares...(three ideas)
Line 11: Who is...(three ideas)
Line 12: Who is a resident of...(your town)
Line 13: Last name
4. CINQUAIN
A cinquain is a 5 line poem that follows a specific format. There are various types of
cinquains. Some are created with a number of words or syllables in mind. Another
form is created using various parts of speech.
Words:
Line 1- 1 word
Line 2- 2 words
Line 3- 3 words
Line 4- 4 words
Line 5- 1 word
Syllables:
Line 1-2 syllables
Line 2- 4 syllables
Line 3- 6 syllables
Line 4- 8 syllables
Line 5- 2 syllables
Restless
Waiting for light
Darkness covers the earth
Until sun crests over the hill
Morning
Parts of Speech:
Line 1- noun
Line 2- 2 adjectives
Line 3- 3 -ing words
Line 4- a phrase
Line 5- another word for the noun from line 1
6. DIAMANTE
A diamante poem is a 7 line poem that looks like a diamond. It does not have to
rhyme.
7. EMOTION Poem
8. FREE VERSE
Free verse poems do not follow any rules. Their creation is completely in the hands
of the author.
Rhyming, syllable count, punctuation, number of lines, number of stanzas, and line
formation can be done however the author wants in order to convey the idea.
There is no right or wrong way to create these poems.
So I don't talk;
I compose,
I write,
I dream.
9. HAIKU
Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables
Examples of Haiku
Spring
Water runs down stream.
Fish swimming with the current.
Life moving along.
10. LIMERICK
Examples of Limericks:
11. NARRATIVE
12. PANTOUM
A pantoum is a poem that uses a lot of repetition. To create this poem, follow these
steps.
1. Write a quatrain (4 line stanza). Writing emotional lines usually works best.
2. Take lines 2 and 4 of the first stanza and make them lines 1 and 3 of the second
stanza.
3. Take lines 2 and 4 of the second stanza and make them lines 1 and 3 of the third
stanza.
4. Continue your poem using this pattern.
5. For your last stanza, go back to the first stanza of the poem. Make line 3 of the first
stanza line 2 of your last. Make line 1 of the first stanza line 4 in your last.
Example of pantoum:
Her Smile
Her smile was visible to all,
Showing a dark secret
From an inescapable memory
Because of the lie she kept telling herself.
13. SONNET
A sonnet is a 14 line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. Each type of sonnet
follows a different rhyming scheme.
Spenserian Sonnet
14 line poem
3 quatrains followed by 1 couplet
Rhyming scheme of ABAB BCBC CDCD EE
Example of Spenserian Sonnet:
Edmund Spenser (c. 1552-1599)
What guile is this, that those her golden tresses
She doth attire under a net of gold;
And with sly skill so cunningly them dresses,
That which is gold or hair, may scarce be told?
Is it that men's frail eyes, which gaze too bold,
She may entangle in that golden snare;
And being caught may craftily enfold
Their weaker hearts, which are not yet well aware?
Take heed therefore, mine eyes, how ye do stare
Henceforth too rashly on that guileful net,
In which if ever ye entrapped are,
Out of her bands ye by no means shall get.
Folly it were for any being free,
To covet fetters, though they golden be.
14. TANKA
A tanka is another Japanese form of poetry that follows a syllable format.
This poem is composed of 5 lines.
Lines 1 and 3 have 5 syllables.
Lines 2, 4, and 5 contain 7 syllables each.
Line 1- 5 syllables
Line 2- 7 syllables
Line 3- 5 syllables
Line 4- 7 syllables
Line 5- 7 syllables
Tanka examples:
15. VILLANELLE
Villanelle Examples:
The End By Tynea Lewis
No one told me about this pain.
Everything hurts, even my pride.
It's these emotions I am forced to contain.
Tears have fallen from my eyes like a steady rain.
Nothing can take back those nights I've cried.
No one told me about this pain.
My feelings I cannot even explain.
To you, my heart was open wide.
Now it's these emotions I have to contain.
I'm at the point where I feel nothing but shame
Because I thought you were going to be my guide.
If only I was warned about this pain.
With you is where I wanted to remain.
Now I have to continue on with a long stride,
But these emotions I am forced to contain.
Please tell me our relationship was not in vain.
I hope to not regret having tried.
No one told me about this pain.
It's these emotions I am forced to contain.
Need help thinking of rhyming words or counting the syllables in words?