1. A Quick Review of Some Popular Forms of Poetry
Fun with Poetry
A Quick Review of Some Popular Forms of Poetry

2. The types of poetry you’ll learn about are:
Introduction
In this program, you will learn about just a few of the various types of poetry, their individual formats and even shown some examples.
The types of poetry you’ll learn about are:
Cinquain
Haiku
Tanka
Limerick

3. Cinquain
Like other forms of poetry, a Cinquain (sin-kwain) poem follows a specific recipe. Because there are only five lines to this type of poetry, you can’t write complete sentences and therefore will have to carefully choose your words.

4. Cinquain format
Each line of a cinquain poem follows this precise structure
Line one: 1 word ( a noun, or name)
Line two: 2 adjectives that describe line one
Line three: 3 verbs that tell what line one does
Line four: a 4 word phrase that tells about your subject ( a though, not a sentence)
Line five: 1 word that means the same as line one (synonym)

5. growing, reaching, standing
Example
Tree
tall, green
growing, reaching, standing
a witness to the past
future
Because of the shape these poems take on once written, some people may call them diamond poems. Either way, it’s a fun way to review your parts of speech

6. Haiku
Haiku poetry originated in Japan in the 15th century and was traditionally very long, but by the time it reached America in the 1890’s it had been reduced. The more modern Haiku has only 3 lines and has only 17 syllables in total.
Although there are different types of Haiku, most focus subjects that are simple, or appear in nature.

7. Remember, Haiku poetry is very structured.
Haiku format
Remember, Haiku poetry is very structured.
Line one: 5 syllables
Line two: 7 syllables
Line three: 5 syllables
Perhaps the most difficult part of writing Haiku poetry is restricting yourself to only 17 syllables!

8. fluttering above the Earth
Example
Lovely butterfly
fluttering above the Earth
how fragile you are

9. Tanka
Tanka poetry was originally written in Japan over 1300 years ago and, therefore even older than Haiku poetry. This was a vital part of Japan’s culture from A.D.
It is meant to capture a single scene from nature and since it is done in such a concise manner it is said to cause the writer, and reader, to better appreciate nature.

10. Tanka format Line one: 5 syllables Line two: 7 syllables
Tankas look a lot like Haiku, but as you see they consist of five lines. The format looks like this:
Line one: 5 syllables
Line two: 7 syllables
Line three: 5 syllables
Line four: 7 syllables
Line five: 7 syllables

11. Example The moon shines brightly Lighting the dark, dreary night
With a pale, white light
Touching forests, mountains, seas
Giving brightness to the earth

12. Limerick
Limericks are as much fun to write as they are to read! They are said to originate in Ireland and are typically humorous. Not only do they follow a specific format, but have a distinctive rhyme scheme, or rhyming pattern.
These are usually five lines long and rely on a particular amount of syllables for each line. Sound difficult? Not really, just follow the directions.

13. Limerick format
Creating limericks is easy if you follow this rhyming pattern:
This means that lines one, two and five rhyme with each other, and should have roughly the same amount of syllables A B
Then lines three and four rhyme wit only each other. This is called and internal rhyme scheme. These two lines must also have fewer syllables than 1,2 and 5

14. Line one: There once was a bird named Lou
Example
Line one: There once was a bird named Lou
Line two: who one day just off and flew
Line three: away from home
Line four: all on his own
Line five: to where, he hadn’t a clue
Did you notice? Lines 1,2 and 5 all have 7 syllables and end with words that rhyme with each other. Meanwhile, lines 3 and 4 have 4 syllables and only rhyme with each other and not with the other lines.

15. Can You Guess? Cinquain Haiku Tanka Limerick
Now that you’ve learned a little about poetry, let’s see if you can identify the following pieces
Cinquain
Haiku
Tanka
Limerick

16. Did You Guess? That’s right! This is an example of a LIMERICK
There was a man with curly hair
such a big mess but didn’t care
shoulda bought a brush
he thought “what’s the rush”
and now it makes everyone stare!
That’s right! This is an example of a LIMERICK
Did You Guess?
Tortoise
aged, wise
observing, listening, watching
can retreat into shell
turtle
Yep, diamond shaped, five lines . . You got it! It’s a Cinquain!

17. Three lines and 17 syllables. You guessed right! This is a Haiku
Cloud burdened mountain
filled with intrigue and secrets
breath of the dragon
Did You Guess?
It looks like a Haiku, but is longer-
That’s correct, it’s a
Tanka!
A gentle breeze blows
standing barefoot in cool grass
blessed solitude
flowers dancing in the wind
releasing their fragrant scent

18. Let’s Review Some of These Formats
Limerick format
Line one: There once was a bird named Lou
Line two: who one day just off and flew
Line three: away from home
Line four: all on his own
Line five: to where, he hadn’t a clue
Tanka format
Line one: 5 syllables
Line two: 7 syllables
Line three: 5 syllables
Line four: 7 syllables
Line five: 7 syllables

19. Let’s Review Some of These Formats
Haiku format
Line one: 5 syllables
Line two: 7 syllables
Line three: 5 syllables
Cinquain format
Line one: 1 word ( a noun, or name)
Line two: 2 adjectives that describe line one
Line three: 3 verbs that tell what line one does
Line four: a 4 word phrase that tells about your subject ( a though, not a sentence)
Line five: 1 word that means the same as line one (synonym)

20. Try these web sites for more interesting poems
Still Interested?
Try these web sites for more interesting poems
Crazy Limerick Machine
Poetry.Com

21. Some Contributing Poets