Diamonte poems are symmetrical poems that follow a pattern. When you are finished composing your poem, the words usually appear to be diamond-shaped.
To write a diamonte poem, the author must work with words that are related in some way. It is the relationship between the words that makes up the poem. Notice the word pair used in this diamonte.
The authors of this poem chose to write about the opposite pair sky and land. They began the poem by writing about the sky. Then, finished the poem by writing about land. To fill in the middle of the poem, they followed the diamonte pattern.
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Line
1
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a
noun
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Line
2
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two
adjectives associated with line 1
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Line
3
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three
participles ("ing" words) associated with line 1
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Line
4
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two
words associated with line 1; two words
associated with line 7
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Line
5
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three
participles ("ing" words) associated with line 7
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Line
6
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two
adjectives associated with line 7
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Line
7
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a
noun (related to the noun used in line 1)
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Diamonte poems are great for comparing two ideas or things!
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!
Begin your diamonte poem by choosing a pair of related words. You might find it helpful to make a list of possible word pairs. Some are listed in this chart:
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Now that you have your word pair, you can work to find words to fill out the pattern. Your poem can be silly or serious depending upon what you want your reader to know about the word pair you have chosen to write about!
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 create a kite and print your poem on the front, write it in calligraphy on a diamond shaped piece of paper, use a computer application (like PowerPoint, HyperStudio, or even Flash), read it out loud, or you may even choose to keep it to yourself!
Click the button below for your journal page!
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