Types of PoemsTypes of Poems

CoupletCouplet Poems with 2 rhyming linesPoems with 2 rhyming lines

TRIPLETTRIPLET

(9) (9) It filled the can, it covered the It filled the can, it covered the floor,floor,(9)(9) It cracked the window and blocked the It cracked the window and blocked the door,door,

(7)(7) Pizza crusts and withered Pizza crusts and withered greensgreens,,(7)(7) Soggy beans and Soggy beans and tangerinestangerines,,

Poems with 3 rhyming linesPoems with 3 rhyming lines

CoupletCoupletCoupletCouplet

CinquainCinquain

Poem with 5 lines and 22 syllables Poem with 5 lines and 22 syllables total (looks like a Christmas tree)total (looks like a Christmas tree)

11stst line: 2 syllables line: 2 syllables 22ndnd line: 4 syllables line: 4 syllables 33rdrd line: 6 syllables line: 6 syllables 44thth line: 8 syllables line: 8 syllables 55thth line: 2 syllables line: 2 syllables

Alternate CinquainAlternate Cinquain

11stst line: 1 word: subject line: 1 word: subject 22ndnd line: 2 describing words line: 2 describing words

(adjectives)(adjectives) 33rdrd line: 3 “ing” words (verbs) line: 3 “ing” words (verbs) 44thth line: 4 word phrase about the line: 4 word phrase about the

subjectsubject 55thth line: synonym for the subject (1 line: synonym for the subject (1

word)word)

HaikuHaiku

Japanese poemJapanese poem 17 syllables total17 syllables total 3 lines long3 lines long Topic: usually nature/seasonTopic: usually nature/season Line 1: 5 syllablesLine 1: 5 syllables Line 2: 7 syllablesLine 2: 7 syllables Line 3: 5 syllablesLine 3: 5 syllables

AcrosticAcrostic 11stst letter in each line of the poem spells letter in each line of the poem spells

the subject verticallythe subject vertically

CCats purr ats purr loudly;loudly;AActive at ctive at night,night,TTackle my ackle my toes.toes.

BalladBallad

Narrative rhyming poem (tells a Narrative rhyming poem (tells a story)story)

Often put to song/musicOften put to song/music

ElegyElegy

Poem of grief and mourningPoem of grief and mourning

EpicEpic

Long, heroic, narrative poem (does Long, heroic, narrative poem (does not have to rhyme)not have to rhyme)

Example: Example: The OdysseyThe Odyssey

SonnetSonnet

14 line poem14 line poem Shakespeare wrote manyShakespeare wrote many Shakespearean sonnets followed the Shakespearean sonnets followed the

rhythm of iambic pentameter (U /)rhythm of iambic pentameter (U /) Rhyme scheme:Rhyme scheme:

a,b,a,b,c,d,c,d,e,f,e,f,g,ga,b,a,b,c,d,c,d,e,f,e,f,g,g

Free VerseFree Verse

A fluid form of poetry which conforms A fluid form of poetry which conforms to no set rules (does not have to to no set rules (does not have to rhyme or follow any other poetry rhyme or follow any other poetry rules)rules)

LimerickLimerick

A light or humorous poem made of 5 A light or humorous poem made of 5 lineslines

Lines 1,2, and 5 rhyme; lines 3 and 4 Lines 1,2, and 5 rhyme; lines 3 and 4 rhyme (rhyme scheme a,a,b,b,a)rhyme (rhyme scheme a,a,b,b,a)

Lines 1,2 and 5 are longerLines 1,2 and 5 are longer Lines 3 and 4 are shorterLines 3 and 4 are shorter

Nursery RhymeNursery Rhyme

A short poem for children that A short poem for children that rhymes and is handed down in rhymes and is handed down in folklorefolklore

ConcreteConcrete

A poem that takes the shape of the A poem that takes the shape of the topic it is abouttopic it is about