Acrostic Poem: History, Definition and Examples

Have you ever come across a poem where the first letters seem to hold a secret message?

That's the magic of an acrostic poem! 

An acrostic poem is a fun and creative way to write about a topic.

In this blog post, you'll learn:

• A clear definition of acrostic poem and how it works.
• Inspiring examples to ignite your creativity and help you appreciate this unique poetic form.

Let’s get started.

What is an acrostic poem?

An acrostic poem is a fun and creative way to write poetry, especially well-suited for kids. 

It's a poem where certain letters, typically the first letters of each line, spell out a word or phrase when read vertically.

Here's a breakdown of what makes an acrostic poem:

Structure: 

The key feature is using the first letters of lines to spell out a word.

You can also get creative and use letters in other positions, like the last letter of each line.

Content:

The word or phrase spelled out is usually the poem's subject.

The body of the poem then uses descriptive language to tell us something about that subject.

Rhyme (optional): While not mandatory, acrostic poems can rhyme for added fun.

History of an acrostic poem

Way back in Ancient Greece and Rome: 

The word "acrostic" comes from Greek words meaning "highest line" and "verse." Way back in ancient Greece, people used acrostics for secret messages!

They'd write messages on leaves, and the first letter of each leaf spelled out a hidden word. 

Roman writers also liked acrostics, even using them as titles for their plays.

Middle Ages: 

Acrostics stuck around during the Middle Ages. Sometimes monks used them in religious writings, maybe as a special way to praise God.

Believe it or not, acrostics even showed up in love poems during this time!

Someone might make a poem where the first letters spelled out their sweetheart's name, then use the poem to tell them how much they cared.

Today:

Mostly, acrostic poems are used to help kids learn and have fun with words. They're a cool way to play with language and be creative!

Examples of an Acrostic Poem

Here are three acrostic poems on different topics, explained step-by-step:

1. Acrostic Poem on Apple

Explanation:

• We start by writing "APPLE" down the left side.
• For "A," we describe the apple's texture: crisp and juicy.
• "P" lines talk about picking it and its superiority to other fruits.
• "L" focuses on the taste.
• "E" mentions ways to eat it.

2. Acrostic Poem on MacDonald's

Explanation:

• This poem is longer, using "MacDonalds" as the base word.
• Each line describes a menu item or an aspect of the fast-food experience.

3. Acrostic Poem on Homework

Explanation:

• This poem uses "Homework" as the base word.
• It describes the effort involved in homework and the positive outcomes of learning.
• We added a bracketed phrase for clarification in the "E" line.
• These are just a few examples. You can write acrostic poems about anything that interests you!

Summing Up

So you've learned all about acrostic poems

Now that you've explored the history, definition, and examples of acrostic poems, what will you write about yours? Maybe it'll be a favorite animal, a hobby you enjoy, or even a special person in your life.

Ready to get started? Grab a pen and paper and write whatever you can think of!

If you're feeling a bit stuck or want some extra help getting started, you might want to try an acrostic poem maker.

This online tool can be a fun way to spark your creativity, especially if you're new to creating acrostics.

External Resources:

• Have you ever written an acrostic poem?
• Acrostic Poems
• 18 Acrostic Poems Inspired by U.S. Presidents