Cinquain

Students write five-line poems following a fixed pattern of parts of speech, focusing on adjectives and -ing verb forms.

Procedure

1. Tell students they will write a poem that creates an image without full sentences, using different parts of speech. Show samples and ask them to identify the pattern:
   • Line 1: Noun (the subject)
   • Line 2: Two adjectives
   • Line 3: Three -ing verb forms
   • Line 4: Four-word phrase
   • Line 5: Synonym or closely related noun
2. Example: Dogs / Furry, cuddly / Running, playing, barking / Always loyal and loving / Friends
3. Choose a one-word topic with the class. Brainstorm adjectives related to it, then select the two most descriptive. Demonstrate comma use.
4. Brainstorm -ing verbs for the topic, select three. Demonstrate comma use in a series.
5. Brainstorm four-word phrases about the topic or how it affects them. Select one.
6. Brainstorm synonyms or closely related nouns for the final line.
7. Read the completed poem aloud. Let students negotiate changes for meaning or rhythm.
8. Students write their own poems individually, in pairs, or in small groups.

Tips

• Good for describing people they admire, places, abstract concepts, or story characters
• Can also describe things they dislike — often produces amusing results
• Allow students to incorporate L1 words at lower levels
• Use "present participle" or "-ing form" depending on what terminology students know