An acrostic poem is written so that when you are done, the first letter of each line forms a word. The word (topic) you choose guides you in the writing of your poem.
Acrostic poetry has been around for a VERY long time. In fact, some very famous poets have written in this style of poetry.
Often, the subject of an acrostic poem is a person. They are great to use for introducing yourself or others, as a gift to that special someone, or as a description of a character for a book report.
Acrostic poems can also be used to write about many other things. You can use them to help you remember the meaning of a word, to describe something fun to do, or to grump about having to do homework!
If you want to spice things up a bit, write your acrostic word vertically or diagonally!
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Writer's Toolbox
Before you begin writing, you may want to gather some tools to help you as you search for just the right words. Here is a list of materials you might need:
- something
to write on — notebook paper, adding machine tape, file cards,
graph paper...
- something
to write with — pencils, crayons, typewriter, computer, markers...
- drawing
paper ... sometimes it helps to draw a picture first!
- art supplies
(colored pencils, crayons, and other fun stuff!)
- word lists
(Click HERE for
an example or HERE
for a blank list!)
- a thesaurus
- a dictionary
Your
Turn!
Start your acrostic poem by choosing a word. This word will be both your topic AND the guide for your poem.
Next, begin to brainstorm the many, varied, and unusual words that begin with the letters in your word. This is a great place to use word lists! Once you have your lists, you are ready to choose the words for your acrostic. Play with a lot of different combinations to find just the right words.
When you have finished your rough draft, read it to a friend, your mom or dad, or your teacher. Ask them to give you some feedback about the words you have chosen. If you think that their suggestions will help your poem, add them.
When you have your poem just the way you like it, it's time to publish it. You can publish any way you like. You can print it on fancy paper, create a work of art to surround it, use a computer application (like PowerPoint, HyperStudio, or even Flash), read it out loud, or you may even choose to keep it to yourself!
The great thing about an acrostic poem is that any topic (word) will work. You may even want to write an acrostic poem that uses more than one word ... like "running fast" or your first and last name.
You could write an acrostic poem about your favorite television character, your mom or dad, a type of tree, a new friend, summer vacation, a place you would like to visit ... the possibilities are endless!
Click the button below for your journal page!
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