Poetry Style Guide
ABC Poem-- A poem with one word per line. The writer begins with any letter in the alphabet for the first word; the next line begins with the next letter of the alphabet and so on. The poem may be as long or as short as desired, and the alphabet may be used backwards too.
All Butterflies
Can
Dance on
Each
Flower
Giving
Hope
In
June
Acrostic Poem-- The first letter in each line can be read vertically to form a word.
Smile Mandatory In Laughing Effectively |
Everybody Needs Good Language I'm Studying Hard |
Concrete/Picture Poem-- An idea that is expressed in both verbal and pictorial form.
Examples:
http://wordandimage.wordpress.com/tag/visual-poetry/
Suck it in Late --as usual-- hurry hurry hurry I forgot to do the wash last night Actually I didn't forget I read a book instead Couldn't find my favorite jeans they must be on the floor of the laundry room I'm sure these will fit I think they will fit . . . Haven't worn them lately I thought they fit me last year -- or maybe it was the year before that? For crying out loud -- must have been 1989 That's it I give up . . . where are my sweatpants? |
Cheese Burger by Kennedy C.
BunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBun BunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBnBun BurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurger BurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurger PicklesPicklesPicklesPicklesPickles KetchupKetcupKetchupKetchup MustardMustardMustard LettuceLettuceLettueLettuceLettuce CheeseCheeseCheeseCheeseCheeseChese BurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurger BurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurgerBurger BunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBun BunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBunBun |
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Found Poem-- A found poem is made with words and phrases from something you read or hear. It uses someone else's words, but the poet combines them in a new way.
Where's the Hospital Zone When You Need It? By Bruce Lansky
Men Working Slow Weak Shoulders |
Don't Stop At This Restaurant By Bruce Lansky
Next Exit Taco Bell Food Gas |
Cinquain-- Five-line poem that follows a distinct pattern as follows:
line 1: a one-word title line 2: two words describing the title line 3: three words expressing action line 4: four words expressing a feeling line 5: another word for the title |
Computers speedy, amazing typing, surfing, IMing freezing, error, corrupt file Frustrating!
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Diamante-- seven-line poem that has a specific format as follows:
line 1: one-word title line 2: two words describing the title line 3: three -ing words telling about the title line 4: four nouns relating to the title line 5: three -ing words describing line 7 line 6: two words describing line 7 line 7: one word that is nearly the opposite of the title |
Night dark, tired slumbering, snoring, dwindling moon, darkness, shadows, quiet rising, shining, awakening sunny, bright Day |
Wingspark-- has 5 lines which follow a specific pattern:
line 1: "I dreamed" line 2: answers the question Who? line 3: answers the question Where? line 4: shows action line 5: describes how the action was done |
I dreamed Martin Luther King Jr. Came to my classroom Bringing the message of hope to all with his words |
List Poem-- any number of lines in the poem that list ideas, usually without transitional phrases. List poems may be based on any possible concept (things that are beautiful, things that are ugly, things I found when I cleaned my room, things you shouldn't do with a lawnmower...)
Where Poetry Hides… By: 3rd Hour English
Poetry hides…
On my 4 wheeler driving down the road, In the fun of sports, In your heart, In my room on a rainy day, In the woods on a summer night, Inside me, deep down, In a rainbow, In my pencil bag, Out in the barn in the hayloft, Outside in the woods when I am running around having fun, In a feather on a bird in the sky, At the bottom of the ocean, In the heart and soul of a person, In my closet by my shoes, In the tip of a pencil waiting to be written, In the smiles of my friends and family, By my creek under a shady tree, By a swimming pool, Anywhere in the world!
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Clerihew-- 4 line poem with AABB rhyme scheme that starts with a name.
Lewis Carroll bought sumptuous apparel and built an enormous palace out of the profits of Alice
--E. Clerihew Bently |
Mr. H.G. Wells was composed of cells. He thought the human race was a perfect disgrace
--E. Clerihew Bently |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar thinks he's best by far. But Dr. J puts him to shame with moves throughout the game.
--unknown |
Haiku-- three lines in length and usually about nature. The first line must have five syllables, the second line seven syllables and the third line five syllables.
The young tree bending the wind whispering the way swaying back again. |
Limerick-- stylized rhymes - always 5 lines. The first, second and fifth lines rhyme, and the third and fourth rhyme. (AABBA rhyme scheme)
There once was a dog from the pound. She liked to escape to downtown. She snuck out one night, and gave us a fright, but by morning was back sleeping sound. |
Free Verse-- It's not that no rules apply to free verse; rather, the poet makes up the rules for each poem! Free verse done well will have rhythm, though it may not have a regular beat. A variety of poetic devices may be woven throughout the piece. There may be patterns of sound and repetition. Free verse can be compared to a song that doesn't rhyme. There is still a lyrical quality to it.
joyride
the sun bounces off the metallic blue of the chevy and the gravel road dust eats at the green as we rumble by glancing at everything noticing nothing we rush to live we look with affection and acknowledge the day for what it contains and what it implies of simple complications your beautiful eyes and my smile too bright for the afternoon |
Sonnet-- a fourteen-line poem that has a strict form and rhyme scheme, but freedom of topic within the form.
Sonnet 71 --No longer mourn for me when I am dead By William Shakespeare
No longer mourn for me when I am dead Then you shall hear the surly sullen bell Give warning to the world that I am fled From this vile world, with vilest worms to dwell: Nay, if you read this line, remember not The hand that writ it; for I love you so That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot If thinking on me then should make you woe. O, if, I say you look upon this verse When I perhaps compounded am with clay, Do not so much as my poor name rehearse. But let your love even with my life decay, Lest the wise world should look into your moan And mock you with me after I am gone. |
All poems on this page copyright Jeannie Krambeer unless otherwise stated.