How To-16: "How to Write an Acrostic Poem"

How to Write an Acrostic Poem

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When we think of 'poetry', we only think of poetry that rhymes. There are many other forms and styles of poetry and each one different from each other. Acrostic is different, unique, and used for different purposes than either prose or rhyming.

Steps

1. Get out a pen and piece of paper, or open a word processor on your computer.
   
2. Choose a title. It should be one word in length, and not too long. Depending on the number of letters in your title, you'll be creating fewer or additional lines in your poem. For example, if your title is "SINGING", you will have a 7-line poem.
   
3. Write the word of your title vertically on the page. You will want to have one letter for each line.
   
4. Add the lines of your poem to the acrostic. Your lines will begin with the corresponding letter of that particular line. For example, if you are using "SINGING" as your title, you will write a sentence that has meaning that starts with the "S". The next sentence will start with an I but has to relate to the first sentence. Continue until the end of the word.
   
5. Each line has to relate with each other line, and the acrostic letters must also relate to each other.
   

Tips

• Be creative! Acrostic poems don't have to rhyme, but you might try to give it a shot anyway.
  
• If you're having trouble, you might want to start off with a short title, like "BIRD" or "CAR". As you get better, you'll be able to think of more lines to add to your title.
  

Example Poem
DARLINGby Sondra Crane
Dearer to me than words impart
Always in my thoughts and heart
Right from the very start I knew,
Love would always mean just you.
In every dream I see your face,
No one else can take your place,
Go where I will, you’ll always be,
The only Valentine for me.

Related wikiHows

• How to Write a Poem
  
• How to Write a Love Poem
  
• How to Write a Haiku Poem
  
• How to Become Inspired to Write Poetry
  

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