An acrostic poem is a form of poetry where the first letter of each line spells out a word or phrase vertically. The lines of an acrostic poem should relate to and describe the topic word. An example is provided where the letters in the word "SUN" are used to start each line describing the sun. Students are instructed to choose a topic, brainstorm descriptive words using a graphic organizer, then write an acrostic poem using the organizer as a prewriting exercise.

1. 1
Acrostic
Poetry

2. 2
Form of Writing
Acrostic Poem
What is an acrostic poem?
An acrostic poem uses
letters in a topic word to
begin each line. All lines in
the poem should relate to
or describe the topic word.

3. 3
Example of Acrostic Poem
Shines brightly
Up in the sky
Nice and warm to my skin
Read Write Think. Retrieved February 29, 2008, from
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/acrostic/
Acrostic Poem Generator also found on the above website to be used as an
extension or to enhance technology in the classroom.

4. 4
Acrostic Graphic Organizer
Topic Word
Idea Idea
Idea Idea
Idea Idea
Idea Idea
Think about:
Topic, Audience, Purpose, & Format

5. 5
Stage of Writing
Prewriting
Think about your audience:
your classmates
Think about your purpose: to
entertain or to inform
Format: acrostic graphic
organizer

6. 6
Practice Activity for Prewriting
Choose a topic: “Today, our topic will
be your name, anything you like, a
sport, music.” You may choose what
your acrostic is about.
Brainstorm a list of words, ideas, or
phrases that describe the topic word
and write them in your organizer. You
will want some words or phrases to
begin with a letter(s) from the topic
word.

7. 7
If you need to, complete an
acrostic graphic organizer
to later use during drafting.
I gave you the link on
moodle.
Topic: Your name (or
whatever else you picked).

8. 8
Acrostic Poetry is formed by writing
a topic word vertically down the
page
Each line will start with one letter
from the topic word
Each line must begin with a capital
letter
May use one word or a phrase
Does not have to rhyme
Use adjectives and phrases that
describe the word

9. 9
Use your prewriting graphic organizer to
write your own acrostic poem.
Complete your poem on word,
powerpoint, or in the online draft of
moodle.
Each poem must describe the word that
is written on the left. Write it vertically
down the left side of page. Each letter
in the vertical word must begin the next
line.

10. 9
Use your prewriting graphic organizer to
write your own acrostic poem.
Complete your poem on word,
powerpoint, or in the online draft of
moodle.
Each poem must describe the word that
is written on the left. Write it vertically
down the left side of page. Each letter
in the vertical word must begin the next
line.