Poetry comes in a variety of forms. Some forms have more structure than others. Some follow rules that have to do with rhyming, syllables, repetition, etc. Others are an expression that are fully in the hands of the author. Explore these common forms, and give them a try. 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. General Templates of ABC Poem (PDF): This is a form of poetry where the first or last letters of each line create a name, word, or phrase. You can find these words by looking vertically at the beginning or end of the lines. A bio poem is used to reveal information to the reader about the poet. 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... Line 5: Who feels... Line 6: Who needs... Line 7: Who gives... Line 8: Who fears... Line 9: Who would like to see...

Line 10: Who shares... Line 11: Who is... Line 12: Who is a resident of... Line 13: Last name Who is creative, loyal, and quiet. Who is the sister of Travis. Who loves writing, fall, and a good book. Who feels excitement, anticipation, and joy. Who needs quiet, sleep, and love. Who fears crocodiles, losing loved ones, and knives. Who would like to see miracles, more sunrises, and Ireland. Who shares laughs, hugs, and advice. Who is a writer, mother, and friend. Who is a resident of Pennsylvania. 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. Line 1- 1 word Line 2- 2 words Line 3- 3 words Line 4- 4 words Line 5- 1 word Line 2- 4 syllables Line 3- 6 syllables Line 4- 8 syllables Line 5- 2 syllables Darkness covers the earth

Until sun crests over the hill Line 2- 2 adjectives Line 3- 3 -ing words Line 4- a phrase Line 5- another word for the noun from line 1 General Templates for Cinquains (PDF): A concrete poem is written in a way that the words create the shape of the subject of the poem. A diamante poem is a 7 line poem that looks like a diamond. It does not have to rhyme. It can be used to describe 1 topic or 2 opposite topics. Line 1: 1 word (subject/noun) Line 2: 2 adjectives that describe line 1 Line 3: 3 -ing words that relate to line 1 Line 4: 4 nouns (first 2 relate to line 1, last 2 relate to line 7--if you're writing about opposite topics) Line 5: 3 -ing words that relate to line 7 Line 6: 2 adjectives that describe line 7 Line 7: 1 word (subject/noun) General Templates for Diamante Poems An emotion poem is used to describe various emotions, good or bad, using descriptive language. There are a couple different emotion poem formats to follow, and you could always come up with your own.

Line 1: State the emotion Line 2: Describe the emotion as a color Line 3: It happens when... Line 4: It sounds like... Line 5: And smells like... Line 6: Restate the emotion Example of an Emotion poem: Is the color of lava spilling from a volcano. It happens when a vase shatters into slivers on the floor.multi coloured chandelier tesco It sounds like a car screeching to a haltchandelier ranch ballinger texas And smells like burning toast.chandelier arpege Line 2: It smells like... Line 3: It tastes like... Line 5: It feels like... Line 6: It looks like... Line 7: (Emotion) is... Example of an emotion poem: It smells like a deep red rose opening in the sun.

It tastes like delectable chocolate melting in your mouth. It sounds like the birds chirping on a clear spring morning. It feels like a fire on a cold winter's night. It looks like an ocean scene painted by God. Love is unpredictable and breathtaking. Try writing an emotion poem yourself: 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. This is a form of Japanese poetry that follows a specific syllable pattern. It's made up of 3 lines, consisting of 17 syllables in total. Haikus are usually about a specific part of nature. Line 1: 5 syllables Line 2: 7 syllables Line 3: 5 syllables Try writing a haiku yourself: A limerick is a short, humorous poem that follows a determined rhyme scheme of AABBA.

This five line poem also follows a syllable count. Line 1: 7-10 syllables Line 2: 7-10 syllables Line 3: 5-7 syllables Line 4: 5-7 syllables Line 5: 7-10 syllables Try writing a limerick yourself: A narrative poem tells the story of an event in the form of a poem. A pantoum is a poem that uses a lot of repetition. To create this poem, follow these steps. Try writing a pantoum yourself: A sonnet is a 14 line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. Each type of sonnet follows a different rhyming scheme. 3 quatrains (4 line stanzas) followed by 1 couplet (2 line stanza) Rhyming scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG All We Will Be By Tynea Lewis He sits, paying no attention to me. I wonder what is going through his head. It hurts knowing friends is all we will be. His unexpected glace turns my face red. His mud brown eyes are so piercing and deep. Then a smile fills his flawless, tanned face. If only into his heart I could creep.

The slow motion moment makes my heart race. Our time together is a dream come true But I fear he can see into my heart. When I am with him, I don't feel so blue, But something new won't be able to start. Since nothing will be, onward I must go. These feelings I have to hide and not show. 1 octave (8 line stanza) followed by 1 sestet (6 line stanza) Rhyming scheme of ABBAABBA CDCCDC (or CDECDE) When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he returning chide; "Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?"but Patience to prevent That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts; Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. Thousands at his bidding speed And post o'er land and ocean without rest:

They also serve who only stand and wait." 3 quatrains followed by 1 couplet Rhyming scheme of ABAB BCBC CDCD EE 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. General Templates for Sonnets (PDF): 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 Journey of a Dewdrop By Paul Holmes Sparkles in morning sunlight Then, slowly drips down A dandelion's green stem Nourishing its thirsty roots. Try writing a tanka yourself: 5 tercets (3 line stanzas) with ABA rhyme scheme Followed by 1 quatrain (4 line stanza) with ABAA rhyme scheme The first and third lines of the tercet are alternately repeated as the last lines of the remaining stanzas. 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. 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.