CINQUAIN
 

CINQUAINS were developed in the early 1900s by an American poet to resemble Haiku. Cinquains always have 5 lines. There are two formulas for writing a cinquain.

Formula 1: One way of writing a cinquain poem is:

The first line has one word (2 syllables) - this can be the title.

The second line has two words (4 syallables) that describe the  first line. 

The third line has three words (6 syllables) that show  action. 

The fourth line has four words (8 syllables) that show feeling. 

The fifth line has one word (2 syllables) that refers back to the first line. 

Bubbles

Delicate balls

Softly Floating above

Unbelievable happiness

Transparent

You can use this on line template to help you wrtie a cinquain.  

Formula 2: Another way to write a cinquain poem is:

Line 1 - a one word title

Line 2 - a 2 word phrase that describes your title or you can just use two words

Line 3 - a 3 word phrase that describes an action relating to your title or just actions words

Line 4 - a 4 word phrase that describes a feeling relating to your topic or just feeling words

Line 5 - one word that refers back to your title

Seedlings

small, minute

surging, struggling, stretching

reaching for the sky

Forest
 

Try wrtiting a wacky web cinquain that follows formula 2. Go to http://www.eduplace.com/tales/c/cinquains.html

Interview a friend and use what you learn to write a cinquain about that person.

Interview a Friend

1. What is your name? _______________________________

 

2. What are some adjectives that describe you?

3. What are some activities that you enjoy?

4. What do you think makes you a good friend to others?

5. Do you have a nickname? ________________________________

 

6. What else do you want to tell me about yourself?

Write the Poem

(Person's Name) ___________

(Two adjectives describing the person.) ___________, ___________

(Three action words)

____________________ , ___________________, ____________________

(A four-word phrase about friendship) ___________________ __________________ ___________________ ___________________

(Nickname or noun) ____________________

Hope you're inspired because now it's time for you to create an original cinquain.

  1. Think of images, descriptive words, and figurative language that best describe you.
  2. Jot them down in web form or in a list as you think of them.
  3. Turn your ideas into a paragraph or paragraphs.
  4. Go back and break the paragraph into lines. As you do this, revise the lines until they look, feel, and sound right to you. Draft, revise, and edit.
  5. Now, for the real test, read it ALOUD. Does it really paint a clear picture of you?
  6. Share your poem with someone else. Listen to his or her critique of your poem. A critique is when someone tells you the strengths and weaknesses of your work. DON'T GET MAD, LISTEN to the suggestions. Revise your work. Remember, the BEST writers are REWRITERS!
  7. Give your poem a title.
  8. Type and choose a font that adds to the look of your poem.
  9. Illustrate your poem.

Want to enter your cinquain to PBS KIDS? Connect to this site and send your poem in.

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