Language Arts

Types of Poetry

When presenting poetry lessons for the first time, follow these steps:
Step 1: Introduce the type of poetry to be studied.
Step 2: Present an example of this type of poetry. You may wish to use one of the examples that
have been provided here, or you can use one of your own.
Step 3: Provide students with guided practice by creating one or more poems with the entire class.
Step 4: Have students work independently, with a partner, or in a cooperative learning group to
write a poem.
After students become familiar with the different types of poetry, you can use these examples on a
bulletin board or in a learning center.

Clerihew
A clerihew is a humorous poem about a person. It was invented by Edward Clerihew Bentley, an
English mystery writer. The first line of a clerihew ends with the person’s name. The second line
rhymes with the first and tells something about the person. The third and fourth lines rhyme with each
other and tell something about the person, too.
There goes a boy named Stacey Logan,
He thinks he’ll have some fun.
He brings the school bus to a screeching halt,
Without anyone knowing who’s at fault.

Diamonte
This verse has seven lines and is diamond-shaped. It begins with one topic and ends with a completely
different topic. To write a diamonte, begin each word with a capital letter and follow these directions.
Line 1 is a noun. It is the subject of the poem.
Line 2 has two words that describe the subject.
Line 3 contains three “-ing” words that describe the subject.
Fire
Line 4 has two short phrases. The first phrase
Hot, Angry
describes the original subject and the second
phrase describes a new subject that is often Blazing, Dancing, Devouring
the opposite of the original subject. Brilliant Display, Cooling Off
Smothering, Smoldering, Fizzling
Line 5 uses three “-ing” words about the new
subject. Gray, Ruined
Ashes
Line 6 contains two words that describe this new subject.
Line 7 names the new or opposite subject.

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Language Arts

Poetry (cont.)

Couplet
The couplet is a two-line verse. The last word in each line rhymes. A poem can be made up of one or
more couplets.
The rabbits danced away the night,
Then disappeared at morning’s light.

Limerick
A limerick is a comical poem consisting of five lines. Lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme and lines 3 and 4 rhyme.
There once was a young girl named Rose,
Who dreamed of great wealth and fine clothes.
So exceedingly vain,
Was this very “plain Jane,”
That to others she would snub her nose!

List Poem
In a list poem the first line is the title and consists of a word or phrase stating the main idea. Then
there are several short statements that tell the author’s feelings about the main idea.
What makes me happy
Reaching my goals,
Making others smile,
Being accepted for
who and what I am,
Ice cream sundaes
on a hot summer day,
Having others call me friend.

Acrostic
The acrostic has been around for centuries. To write an acrostic, write a word, phrase, or name down
the left side of the paper. Then write a series of word or phrases that describe the topic or give your
feelings about it. Each line begins with a letter of the name or subject.
Beauty sometimes
Lies below the surface. Look
At the inside
Not the
Covering. You might find
Hidden an
Enchanting surprise.

Alliteration Poem
An alliteration poem uses sound to create a special effect. To create an alliteration poem, choose words
that begin with the same sound. Try writing three lines of poetry with alliteration in each line. The
trick is to make all the words start with the same sound.
Terrible, taunting Tom
Took the test
Two times two.

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