A cinquain is poem that has exactly 5 lines. Each line of the poem has a specific number of syllables. The syllable pattern is really the only rule of a cinquain. They do not have to rhyme, although some do. Their syllable pattern also gives them a special rhythm.
The syllable pattern for a cinquain is:
Line 1: 2 syllables
Line 2: 4 syllables
Line 3: 6 syllables
Line 4: 8 syllables
Line 5: 2 syllables
Cinquains seem to work best when they describe or tell about something that can be experienced with your senses. In other words, something that you can touch, hear, smell, taste, or see!
The author of this poem uses a cinquain to describe her feelings about an old pair of shoes. Notice that the author did not just describe how the shoes looked. Instead, she used the poem to compare old shoes to old friends. Because the poem is more than just a list of adjectives, it is more interesting for the reader!
If you want to tell more about a topic than the pattern allows, you might choose to put more than one cinquian together to form stanzas of a longer poem.
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!
Cinquains are a great way to play with words and rhythms. To get started, pick a topic. You may want to make a list of objects first so that you have many ideas for your topic.
Once you have your topic, you want to write a great starting phrase. Think of a 2-syllable word or phrase that will catch your reader's attention. Your first line also needs to lead into the second line.
These syllables are a dramatic way to open a cinquain. Readers will want to read on to find out what happens next. The words "boom" and "crash" also have a nice rhythm when they are read aloud.
Your first phrase should lead the reader right on to line 2. The job of line to is to give your reader more information about your topic. So, in our example, line 2 might be:
Lines 3 continues the idea of your poem. To make your poem more interesting, allow your idea to cover more than one line. In our example, line 2 doesn't finish a thought. So, it will have to be completed in line 3.
When you read a story, the plot moves on until it reaches what we call a climax. Cinquains are no different. Line 4 gets your reader ready for the ending of the poem.
Line 5 is the ending of your poem. It should complete all of the thoughts and ideas that were started in the poem.
When you have finished your rough draft, read it aloud to a friend, your teacher, your grandma, or your parents. When you are finished reading, ask for feedback about the words and rhythm 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 write your poem on fancy paper, create a collage that includes your poem, create a special piece of art to illustrate your poem, use a computer program (like PowerPoint, HyperStudio, or Flash), or you can keep your poem to yourself!
Click the button below for the cinquain poem journal page!
|
|
Poetry Menu
- Poetry
Home
- The Process
- ABC Poem
- Acrostic
- BioPoem
- Chant
- Cinquain
- Diamonte
- Epitaph
- Free Verse
- Haiku
- List Poem
- Lune
- Occasional
- Quatrain
- Shape
- Teachers
Only
(Password Required)
Graphics used with permission: ©2001-2002 Arttoday.com