Cinquain Practice
Teaching poetry to young students usually involves formula. Something with form and purpose that allows for creativity but is not wide open. Consider form poetry as a trail through the woods. It is distinct and has a beginning and an end. Students know if they are off and know what to do to get back on track. There is wrong and right. Free-form and writing in prose may be seen as a more creative endeavor, but the open interpretation is difficult to explain form and explain critique.
Cinquain is a formulaic poem. A cinquain follows pretty easy rules that deal with each of 5 lines and what those lines should do with a syllable count:
1st Line= 1 Noun (title or subject) as well as 2 syllable
2nd Line= 2 adjectives describing First Line as well as having 4 syllables
3rd Line= 3 action words (verbs) ending in -ing that describe First Line as well as having 6 syllables
4th Line= 1 phrase expressing a feeling/emotion about the subject (1st Line) as well as having 8 syllables
5th Line= A synonym of 1st Line or a word that summarizes the whole poem as well as having 2 syllables
My Cinquain Poem
Brook Trout
Beautiful, free
Undulating, flashing
Champions of the Hemlock brooks.
Native.
