Here are some different types of poems to try in your classroom or at home for fun.
1. ACROSTIC
In Acrostic poems, the first letters of each line are aligned vertically to form a word.
The word often is the subject of the poem.
An example is-
Elegantly and efficiently shaped
Good to eat
Great fun to find at Easter
Smooth shelled
2. ALPHABET
Each line begins with the letters of the alphabet in order.
An example
A young girl was busy working on her project for school
But suddenly she had a question.
Could this be her lucky day?
Deciding to find out, she
Entered her backyard and
Found hundreds of green shamrocks waiting for her.
Another type of alphabet poem requires you to use all 26 letters of the alphabet in your poem.
3. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL:
Write a poem about yourself using this form or another poetry form.
Line 1: __ Your name
Line 2: _, _, _ 3 personal characteristics or physical traits
Line 3: Brother or sister of__ or son/daughter of
Line 4: Who loves__, __, and __ 3 people, things, ideas
Line 5: Who feels__ about__1 emotion about 1 thing
Line 6: Who needs__, __, and __ 3 things you need
Line 7: Who gives __, __, and __3 objects you share
Line 8: Who fears__, __, and __3 items
Line 9: Who'd like to see, __1 place, or person
Line 10: Who dreams of __ 1 item or idea
Line 11: A student of__ your school or teacher's name
Line 12: __ Nickname or repeat your first name
Example:
Jamie
Funny, friendly, happy, caring
Sister of Jill
Who likes animals and books
Who feels happy in warm weather
Who needs family and friends
Who gives encouragement
Who fears the end of summer
Who would like to see Italy
Who dreams of being a princess
Student of Mrs Smith
Mills
*Your poem should be neat and creative.
4. BALLAD:
Retell an event in history, in the news, or in your life as a ballad.
You will want the ballad to rhyme. You may copy the style of other poets.
An example is -
Joan of Arc
The day was cold,
Both armies bold,
As hands grasped the ladders,
Ramparts were scaled,
Arrows were sailed,
But the French climbed the Tourelles.
Although Joan was hit in the shoulder,
The French continued to grow bolder,
Even slowly healing in a field,
She raised a fiery French revolt,
Just hit by a crossbow bolt,
Armor glistening white.
The English got cold feet,
And began a hasty retreat,
As the French crawled out of Orleans,
Passing the cold river on boards,
Attacking English with sharp swords,
They set the Tourelles on fire.
English Captain Sir Glendale,
Certainly looked very pale,
When they found him drowned in the river,
Sir Talbot ordered the English forts be left,
To avoid anymore French fort theft,
And so Orleans was freed.
-Pierce
5. CINQUAIN: (History of)
Cinquains have five lines
Line 1: Title (noun) - 1 word
Line 2: Description - 2 words
Line 3: Action - 3 words
Line 4: Feeling (phrase) - 4 words
Line 5: Title (synonym for the title) - 1 word
An example is -
Mom
Helpful, caring
Loves to garden
Excitable likes satisfying people
The day was cold,
Both armies bold,
As hands grasped the ladders,
Ramparts were scaled,
Arrows were sailed,
But the French climbed the Tourelles.
Although Joan was hit in the shoulder,
The French continued to grow bolder,
Even slowly healing in a field,
She raised a fiery French revolt,
Just hit by a crossbow bolt,
Armor glistening white.
The English got cold feet,
And began a hasty retreat,
As the French crawled out of Orleans,
Passing the cold river on boards,
Attacking English with sharp swords,
They set the Tourelles on fire.
English Captain Sir Glendale,
Certainly looked very pale,
When they found him drowned in the river,
Sir Talbot ordered the English forts be left,
To avoid anymore French fort theft,
And so Orleans was freed.
-Pierce
5. CINQUAIN: (History of)
Cinquains have five lines
Line 1: Title (noun) - 1 word
Line 2: Description - 2 words
Line 3: Action - 3 words
Line 4: Feeling (phrase) - 4 words
Line 5: Title (synonym for the title) - 1 word
An example is -
Mom
Helpful, caring
Loves to garden
Excitable likes satisfying people
Mommy
6. COLOR:
A poem about your favorite color. Express your feelings about a single color with analogies or similes or list nouns that are (or remind you of) that color. Another easy form is to use the 5 senses-looks like, sounds like, smells like, tastes like, feels like.
Colour looks like
Colour sounds like
Colour smells like
Colour tastes like
Colour feels like
An example is -
Orange
Orange is feeling in your stomach after an orange soda quenching your thirst.
Orange is the sun after a summer day.
Orange is the sound of a field filled with dandelions blowing in the wind.
Orange is the taste of a pizza that just came out of the oven.
Orange is the sound of a busy bumblebee.
Orange is the taste of a cold glass of orange juice.
Orange is the feeling inside you when you accomplish something.
Orange is the sound of a tomato plant growing.
Orange is the color of a carrot that just popped out of the ground.
Orange is the smell of a Tiger-Lily petal.
Orange is the feeling after a baby smiles.
Orange is the color of a brown beaver's incisor.
Orange is the smell of a late July day.
Orange is the feeling of a puppy's fur.
Orange is the color of peach marmalade on a side of toast.
Orange is the sound of a canoe paddling through shallow water.
And orange is a color that is safe and alive.
-Julia-
7. DIAMANTE:
The Diamante is a form similar to the Cinquain. The text forms the shape of a diamond.
Line 1: Noun or subject - one word
Line 2: Two adjectives that describe line 1
Line 3: Three 'ing words that describe line 1
Line 4: Four nouns - the first two are connected with line 1; the last two are connected with line 7
Line 5: Three 'ing words that describe line 7
Line 6: Two adjectives that describe line 7
Line 7: Noun Synonym for the subject
6. COLOR:
A poem about your favorite color. Express your feelings about a single color with analogies or similes or list nouns that are (or remind you of) that color. Another easy form is to use the 5 senses-looks like, sounds like, smells like, tastes like, feels like.
Colour looks like
Colour sounds like
Colour smells like
Colour tastes like
Colour feels like
An example is -
Orange
Orange is feeling in your stomach after an orange soda quenching your thirst.
Orange is the sun after a summer day.
Orange is the sound of a field filled with dandelions blowing in the wind.
Orange is the taste of a pizza that just came out of the oven.
Orange is the sound of a busy bumblebee.
Orange is the taste of a cold glass of orange juice.
Orange is the feeling inside you when you accomplish something.
Orange is the sound of a tomato plant growing.
Orange is the color of a carrot that just popped out of the ground.
Orange is the smell of a Tiger-Lily petal.
Orange is the feeling after a baby smiles.
Orange is the color of a brown beaver's incisor.
Orange is the smell of a late July day.
Orange is the feeling of a puppy's fur.
Orange is the color of peach marmalade on a side of toast.
Orange is the sound of a canoe paddling through shallow water.
And orange is a color that is safe and alive.
-Julia-
7. DIAMANTE:
The Diamante is a form similar to the Cinquain. The text forms the shape of a diamond.
Line 1: Noun or subject - one word
Line 2: Two adjectives that describe line 1
Line 3: Three 'ing words that describe line 1
Line 4: Four nouns - the first two are connected with line 1; the last two are connected with line 7
Line 5: Three 'ing words that describe line 7
Line 6: Two adjectives that describe line 7
Line 7: Noun Synonym for the subject
An example is-
8. EPITAPH:
Example:
9. HAIKU:
Haiku is a Japanese poetry that reflects on nature and feelings. You use your observation skills to write what you see in a new or different way.
There are three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second, and five syllables in the third.
10. I WISH POEM:
Each line of the poem begins with the words "I wish" and then you fill in your ideas.
The poem should be 8-10 lines long.
Example:
I wish I had three day weekends
I wish I had a nap at noon
I wish I had more time to play
I wish I had greener grass
I wish I had whiter teeth
I wish I had summer year-round
I wish I had six-pack abs
I wish I had a magic wand
to make all my wishes
come true.
11. LIES POEM:
Here is your chance to tell a falsehood and not get punished!
In this type of poem, each line contains an outrageous lie.
Each line must begin differently.
The main rule is not to say anything that hurts anyone.
12. LIMERICK:
A limerick has five lines.
The last words of lines one, two, and five rhyme.
The last words of lines three and four rhyme.
A limerick has to have a pattern of stressed (S) and unstressed (U) syllables.
An example is -
What a fine day
To go out to play
In May.
c) Quatrains
Quatrains are made up of four lines. The rhyming pattern can be AABB or ABAB.
An example is -
The Purple Cow
Gelett Burgess
I never saw a purple cow,
I never hope to see one:
But I can tell you, anyhow,
I'd rather see than be one.
****For help to find words that rhyme, go to http://www.rhymezone.com/
15. SHAPE (or CONCRETE):
Shape poems are made up of words that have been placed in such a way that they make the shape of an object and also use words to describe the object.
How to make a Shape Poem
i) Start by making a simple outline of the shape or object ( an animal, a football, a fruit, etc.) large enough to fill a piece of paper.
ii) Then brainstorm a minimum of ten words and phrases that describe the shape.
The third eye notices when Abbie spilled juice on the rug and said it was Lizzie.
The third eye notices when you tell your mom you brushed your teeth for two minutes,
and you only brushed for one.
The third eye notices when you're supposed to be doing your homework, and you're listening to music.
The third eye sees when you're on the phone for five minutes longer than you're supposed to be.
The third eye can tell when you had ice cream for dinner when your parents went out.
-Courtney-
"Here lies Sam Shay,
Smoked six packs a day.
He started smoking when he was five.
Now that fool is no longer alive."
Smoked six packs a day.
He started smoking when he was five.
Now that fool is no longer alive."
9. HAIKU:
Haiku is a Japanese poetry that reflects on nature and feelings. You use your observation skills to write what you see in a new or different way.
There are three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second, and five syllables in the third.
Harry Potter Haiku –
His hair black as night
A lightning scar tells his life
He is a legend.
- Cherie, age 10 -
A powerful blast
Harry is blown off his feet
From the shadow steps
-Alyssa, age 12-
10. I WISH POEM:
Each line of the poem begins with the words "I wish" and then you fill in your ideas.
The poem should be 8-10 lines long.
Example:
I wish I had three day weekends
I wish I had a nap at noon
I wish I had more time to play
I wish I had greener grass
I wish I had whiter teeth
I wish I had summer year-round
I wish I had six-pack abs
I wish I had a magic wand
to make all my wishes
come true.
11. LIES POEM:
Here is your chance to tell a falsehood and not get punished!
In this type of poem, each line contains an outrageous lie.
Each line must begin differently.
The main rule is not to say anything that hurts anyone.
12. LIMERICK:
A limerick has five lines.
The last words of lines one, two, and five rhyme.
The last words of lines three and four rhyme.
A limerick has to have a pattern of stressed (S) and unstressed (U) syllables.
An example is -
(U) (S) (U) (U) (S) (U) (S)
"There was an old man from Peru
"There was an old man from Peru
(U) (S) (U) (U) (S) (U) (S)
Who dreamed he was eating his shoe
(U) (S) (U) (U) (S)
Who dreamed he was eating his shoe
(U) (S) (U) (U) (S)
He awoke in the night
(U) (S) (U) (S)
With a terrible fright
With a terrible fright
(U) (S) (U) (U) (S) (S)
To discover it was totally true."
13. MONSTER POEM:
Describe an imaginary monster.
To discover it was totally true."
13. MONSTER POEM:
Describe an imaginary monster.
Try to have a theme (food, sports, animals, school subjects, etc.)
An example is-
14. RHYMING:
An example is-
"The Scrumptious Sweet- Tooth Monster"
The Scrumptious Sweet- Tooth Monster has:
Hershey Kiss Cranium
Peppermint Smirk
Appealing Rock Candy Torso
Red Licorice limbs
Black Licorice appendages
Green and Blue M&M eyes
Bubble gum feet that blow up into hefty bubbles when he scampers
The snout is made of a bulky scoop of rocky road ice cream that is so cold it will never liquefy
Vibrant Colored Chiclets for his choppers
Tootsie Rolls for eyebrows
In a crown form, he has Sweet Tarts for locks of hair
Left Fingers are made of grape lollipops
Right Fingers are made of Watermelon lollipops
This is one appetizing monster!
By: Kate
14. RHYMING:
a) Couplets
Couplets are made up of two lines whose last words rhyme. They are often silly.
Couplets are made up of two lines whose last words rhyme. They are often silly.
An example is -
The cat ate a mouse
And then brought it in the house.
b) Triplets
Triplets are made up of three lines. The rhyming pattern can be AAA or ABA
An example is -
And then brought it in the house.
b) Triplets
Triplets are made up of three lines. The rhyming pattern can be AAA or ABA
An example is -
What a fine day
To go out to play
In May.
c) Quatrains
Quatrains are made up of four lines. The rhyming pattern can be AABB or ABAB.
An example is -
The Purple Cow
Gelett Burgess
I never saw a purple cow,
I never hope to see one:
But I can tell you, anyhow,
I'd rather see than be one.
****For help to find words that rhyme, go to http://www.rhymezone.com/
15. SHAPE (or CONCRETE):
Shape poems are made up of words that have been placed in such a way that they make the shape of an object and also use words to describe the object.
How to make a Shape Poem
i) Start by making a simple outline of the shape or object ( an animal, a football, a fruit, etc.) large enough to fill a piece of paper.
ii) Then brainstorm a minimum of ten words and phrases that describe the shape.
iii) List action and feeling words as well.
iv)Next, place a piece of paper over the shape and decide where your words are going to be placed so that they outline your shape but also fit well together.
v) Separate words and phrases with commas.
16. THIRD EYE:
The Third Eye poem tells about things that might go unnoticed and are improbable or impossible to see with regular eyesight. The Third Eye knows what is really happening.
An example is -
iv)Next, place a piece of paper over the shape and decide where your words are going to be placed so that they outline your shape but also fit well together.
v) Separate words and phrases with commas.
16. THIRD EYE:
The Third Eye poem tells about things that might go unnoticed and are improbable or impossible to see with regular eyesight. The Third Eye knows what is really happening.
An example is -
The third eye notices when Abbie spilled juice on the rug and said it was Lizzie.
The third eye notices when you tell your mom you brushed your teeth for two minutes,
and you only brushed for one.
The third eye notices when you're supposed to be doing your homework, and you're listening to music.
The third eye sees when you're on the phone for five minutes longer than you're supposed to be.
The third eye can tell when you had ice cream for dinner when your parents went out.
-Courtney-
