Types of Poems

High and dry when your teacher asks you what kind of poem you wrote? Well, not anymore. Here are some links and poem types that will put you at the front of the class.

A Haiku has three lines - 17 syllables:

5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables

A Cinquain has 5 lines-based on the number of syllables or words:

1) the title
2) a description of the title in 4 syllables or words
3) a description of the action in 6 syllables or words
4) a description of the feeling on 8 syllables or words
5) another word for the title in 2 syllables or words

A Diamante poem is diamond-shaped to show growth or movement from one extreme to another:

Other Forms of poetry:

Free verse
Prose

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.

Rhymes - There are several rhyming poetry forms. Couplets are poems with two rhyming lines. Triplets have three rhyming lines. Combinations use a variety. For example, every line may rhyme with a couplet at the end. Limericks are fun poems that combine a couplet with a triplet. Lines 1, 2 & 5 rhyme with each other. Lines three and four rhyme.

Autobiographical - Write a poem about yourself. Or, create a biographical poem about your favorite character or real life personality.

Line 1: First name
Line 2: 3 characteristics or physical traits
Line 3: Brother or sister of__ [or son/daughter of]
Line 4: Who loves__ __ __ (3 people, things, ideas)
Line 5: Who feels__ (1 emotion about 1 thing)
Line 6: Who needs__ __ __(3 things)
Line 7: Who gives __ __ __(3 items you share)
Line 8: Who fears__ __ __(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__ (school or teacher's name)
Line 12: Nickname__ [or repeat first name]

http://www.wallowa.k12.or.us/wallowa/poetry/poetry.html
http://www.apci.net/~yankee/
http://www.yquestion.com/

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