Cinquain, Haiku & Diamante Poems

• Poems come in various forms, each with unique structures and characteristics.
• Cinquain, haiku, and diamante are three distinct types of poems.

Cinquain

• A cinquain is a five-line poem.
• Structure follows a specific pattern focusing on syllables or word count per line.
• There are different cinquain forms, including the American cinquain and the didactic cinquain.
• The American cinquain form follows a syllable count of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 2 syllables in lines 1 through 5, respectively.
• An example of a typical cinquain structure includes:
  • Line 1: Noun (Subject of the poem)
  • Line 2: Two adjectives describing the noun
  • Line 3: Three verbs related to the noun
  • Line 4: A four-word phrase about the noun
  • Line 5: Another noun that is a synonym or closely related to the first noun
• Color, sound, animals, or seasons are common themes.
• The cinquain allows for a concise exploration of a subject.
• Cinquains rely on impactful word choices.
• Adelaide Crapsey is credited with inventing the cinquain poetic form in the early 1900s.

Haiku

• A haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry.
• Haikus consist of three lines.
• Haikus follow a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
• Haikus often focus on nature or seasonal themes.
• The essence of haiku lies in capturing a moment or observation.
• Haikus use simple language and imagery.
• Haikus aim to evoke a feeling or realization in the reader.
• A key element is kireji, or "cutting word," which provides a sense of closure.
• There is a focus on juxtaposition or comparison.
• Haikus often include a kigo, a seasonal reference.

Diamante

• A diamante poem takes the shape of a diamond.
• It uses contrasting nouns or concepts at the beginning and end.
• The structure of a diamante is as follows:
  • Line 1: Noun or subject
  • Line 2: Two adjectives describing the first noun
  • Line 3: Three verbs related to the first noun
  • Line 4: Four nouns or a phrase linking the two opposite subjects
  • Line 5: Three verbs related to the second noun
  • Line 6: Two adjectives describing the second noun
  • Line 7: Noun or subject opposite of the first noun
• Diamantes visually represent the contrast or transition between two subjects through words.
• Diamantes allow for creative exploration of opposing ideas or concepts.
• Diamantes are useful in exploring comparisons.
• Diamante poems provide a structured approach to vocabulary and figurative language.

Explore the structures of cinquain, haiku, and diamante poems. Learn about the syllable and word patterns to follow when writing these poems. Understand the themes best suited for each form.