This document provides definitions and examples of different types of poetry structures and forms, including rhyme schemes, stanzas, couplets, triplets, quatrains, cinquains, clerihews, haikus, limericks, acrostics, narrative poems, found poetry, and shape poetry. It explains the key characteristics of each type such as line and syllable count, rhyming patterns, and subject matter. Examples are provided to illustrate each form of poetry discussed.

1. Rhyme Scheme, Couplet, Triplet, Quatrain,
Cinquain, Clerihew, Haiku, Limerick,
Acrostic, Narrative Poetry (I am/Selfie),
Found Poetry, Shape Poetry)

2. First, you need to know the difference
between lines and stanzas

3. Poem Structure &
Rhyme Scheme
 Poems can also be arranged into stanzas, which are
kind of like paragraphs, or verses of a song. When a
stanza is organized.
 Couplets have two lines. Most of the time these rhyme,
but not always. Usually each line is about the same
length.
 Triplets (or tercets) have three lines. When they
rhyme, they have a rhyme scheme of aaa or aba. These
are less common than couplets or quatrains.
 Quatrains have four lines with a structure of aabb,
abab, abba, or abcb.

5. Couplet
Each line of a
couplet ends with
a word that
rhymes with the
previous or next
line.
It does NOT have
to be TRUE rhyme.
The means the
words don’t have to
end with the same
spelling. It just has
to sound the same.
Your fill-
in-the
blanks
are in
red!

6. Couplet Practice

7. Triplet
Triplets (or tercets) have three lines. When they rhyme,
they have a rhyme scheme of aaa or aba. These are less
common than couplets or quatrains.
Example of a Triplet Poem with
an ABA rhyme scheme:
Football is the sport for me.
OSU is my favorite team.
Touchdowns are what I like to see.
Your fill-in-the-blanks-
are in red!

8. QuatrainQuatrains have four lines with a structure of aabb, abab,
abba, or abcb.

9. Independent Practice-
Rhyme Scheme handout
 You will read each poem and write the type of
structure and the type of rhyme scheme. We will
check as a class in a few minutes.

10. Let’s
Check

11. CinquainCinquain (sin cane) is a five-line poem containing 22
syllables in a 2-4-6-8-2 syllable pattern and they are using
rhyming. Cinquain poems often describe something, but
they may also tell a story.
Here is an example: *Write this down somewhere to
reference later!!!!
Playground
A place to play
Boys, girls, teachers, freedom
Free my spirit – send me
flying
Hooray!

12. HaikuA haiku (high koo) is a Japanese poem consisting of
17 syllables arranged in three lines of five, seven,
and five syllables. The lines are non-rhyming. A
haiku poem deals with nature and presents a single
clear image. It is a concise form, much like a
telegram. It is important to describe only one thing
and try to “paint a picture” with words.
Here is an example of a haiku:
5
7
5

13. Cinquain Practice- Your turn!
Example
Rain Cloud
Heavy, Ready
Drenching, Soaking, Pouring
Pedestrians grab their rainboots
Nimbus

14. LimerickLimericks were invented in Ireland and are most often associated with
Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day.
The limerick is a form of light verse that uses both rhyme and rhythm.
The poem consists of five lines; the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme,
while the third, and fourth lines rhyme with each other and are shorter
than the other three. The rhyme scheme is a-a-b-b-a and a limerick is
arranged this way:

15. Limerick Examples

16. Clerihew

17. Acrostic
Choose three topics (your choice) and write three acrostic poems. You must choose words
that are at least 7 letters long.

18. Narrative Poems
 Narrative poems are various poems that tell the story
of the writer. We will talk about three different types.

19. In a SHAPE POEM, the words of the poem make up the shape (some
types of shape poems have the words making up the outline of the
poem, while others fill in the shape.
The poem should be about whatever shape it is. For example, if the poem is
about flowers, it should be flower-shaped.
For, a NARRATIVE
shape poem, you
can use a
FINGERPRINT
outline for your
poem that you will
use to write about
yourself.

20. You could also do a SHAPE
(Narrative) Poem like this:

21.  Found poetry is poetry that you “find” in places like
magazines, books, random readings. It is clippings
from various places that come together to form a
poem.

22. Your selfie can
be an actual
picture or
hand-drawn,
you choose!

24. Poem Practice Hand-out
 On the back of your notes packet, you have a hand-out
entitled Poem Practice to complete. Use your notes to
help you create an example of each one.
 This will become your guide to help you with your
Poetry Booklet project you will be working on this
week.
 If you need to reference the PowerPoint from class,
remember, it is on itsLearning, utilize it! Also on the
bulletin board!! 