How to write poetry: Cinquain poems

Cinquain poems are a short form of structured poetry for kids to write about something they love. Cinquains are easy to write and fun to decorate. You can even make them into cards for special occasions.

What you need:

• grey lead pencil for writing
• paper

Decorative options:

• coloured cardstock
• coloured pencils or markers
• scissors

Number of players:

Activity:

To begin writing your cinquain poem, you will need to determine a subject. If you are writing for a present or a card, choose something about either that person or something they love. For example, if it is for your dad, he might like cars.

A cinquain poem is structured as a short, but factual poem about one subject. The lines are set out like this:

Line 1. Title – one word.
This is the subject matter of your cinquain poem.

Line 2. Description – two words
Two things that describe your subject.

Line 3: Action – three words
Three words that describe what your subject likes to do.

Line 4: Feeling – four words
A factual line about your subject.

Line 5: Title – one word.
This should be a synonym for your title.

Here is an example of what a completed cinquain poem looks like.

Baby
Loud, smelly
Sleep, eat, cry
Loves to play peek-a-boo
Bubba

or

Dad
Happy, strong
Run, play, tickle
Makes me laugh a lot.
Daddy

Now you have a go! It is easy and great fun. Your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles may like these as gifts.

Notes:

• If you have chosen the decorative option, fold a piece of cardstock in half and create your cinquain on the front of the card. Decorate around it and write a message inside. You now have a card to give as a gift.
• You could cut your card into any shape you like. If you have chosen to write a cinquain poem about a cat, cut your card into a cat shape and write the cinquain poem on the belly of the cat, decorate and give as a gift.

Image from Shutterstock.