5+ Types of Acrostic Poems
This guide teaches you acrostic types to write your own amazing poems. Easy to follow, perfect for beginners. Write like a poet today!
Have you ever wanted to add a touch of creativity to your poetry?
Acrostic poems offer a unique way to express your thoughts and ideas.
However, navigating the various kinds of acrostic poems can be confusing.
In this blog post, you'll learn today:
- The different forms of acrostic poems and how to use them effectively.
- Examples illustrate how each type of acrostic poem can be used creatively.
You may also read more guides:
Let's get started!
Different types of acrostic poems
Here are different types of acrostic poems, each with its own unique flair and style!
Lets start discussing them:
1. Conventional Acrostics
A conventional acrostic poem is formed when the first letter of each line spells out a word or phrase vertically.
The poem itself describes or relates to the hidden word in some way.
It's a fun way to play with language and create a message within a message.
Here's an example of a conventional poem:
As you can see, the first letter of each of these lines adds up to spell the word 'ELIZABETH'.
2. Telestich Acrostic
A telestich is created when the last letter of each line combines to form an acrostic.
It's another creative way to incorporate a hidden message within the poem.
Here's an example of a telestich poem:
The final letters here make the acrostic 'HORSE.'
3. Double Acrostic Poem
In a double acrostic poem, the first and last letter of each line make a word. It is basically a combination of conventional acrostics and telestich acrostic.
Usually, both sides feature the same word, or sometimes a different one.
These poems are considered a more challenging form of poetry compared to regular acrostics.
Finding words that fit thematically and grammatically for both the beginning and end of each line requires a higher level of creativity.
This challenge is what makes them unique and interesting.
Here's an example of a double acrostic poem:
4. Mesostich Acrostic Poem
In a mesostich, the middle letters of each line form the hidden word or phrase.
This differs from other acrostics, which utilize first or last letters, as the mesostich emphasizes the center.
The poem may directly relate to the concealed message, enhancing its significance with additional depth.
Strict vs. Lenient Mesostichs:
There are two main approaches to writing mesostichs:
- In a strict mesostich, you can use the hidden word's letters only once in the middle of each line. Though it is more difficult, it maintains unity.
- Lenient mesostich is more flexible. You can repeat the letters in the middle of a line, as long as the message is clear.
Here's an example of a mesostich poem:
5. Abecedarian Acrostic Poem
An Abecedarian poem is a special type of poem that follows the alphabet.
Each line begins with a new letter of the alphabet, from A to Z.
Sometimes, the lines explore things linked to those letters.
The poem itself can be about anything, from a topic to a tale, or simply having fun with words in alphabetical order.
History and Use:
Abecedarian poems have been around for ages, tracing back to ancient times.
You can spot them in Semitic languages and religious writings like the Hebrew Bible.
They were frequently employed for holy writings, prayers, or songs.
As time went on, the style changed and was adapted for different uses.
For instance, in education, they were handy for teaching the alphabet.
And in modern times, they've been used in contemporary poetry to play with structure and words.
Length and Variations:
Abecedarian poems don't have set lengths.
They can be short, with only a few lines—one for each letter—or longer, with several sentences or stanzas for each letter.
Some versions might stick to a certain number of words per line.
And others might get creative by using the alphabet backward, from Z to A.
Example:
Here's an example of a short Abecedarian poem:
This poem uses the first letter of each line (A-D) to describe the arrival of autumn.
6. Golden Shovel
The Golden Shovel is a cool new poetry style that honors another poet's writing.
Terrance Hayes made it up in 2010 to celebrate the well-known African American poet Gwendolyn Brooks.
It's like a special kind of acrostic poem.
How it Works:
Use the above poem selection (or any poem of your choice) as the impetus to write a “golden shovel poem,” as follows:
- Choose a poem.
- Pick a line that you like the most.
- List the words vertically along the right side of the page.
- Create a new poem where each line finishes with the word on the right side or which you have selected from the other poem.
Here's an example of golden shovel poem:
Look, I have selected the line from Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken.”
The sentence is ‘In leaves no step had trodden black’
now look at the picture; that’s how I make a poem.
7. Collaborative Acrostic
In a collaborative acrostic poem, each participant contributes a line that starts with a letter from the chosen word or theme.
So, if the theme is "Summer," for example, the lines would start with S, U, M, M, E, and R. The lines collectively form a poem about that theme, with each person adding their own perspective or interpretation. It's a way for multiple people to work together to create a poem that reflects their shared theme or word.
Benefits and Creativity:
- Working on a collaborative acrostic is a cool way to get creative and craft a poem as a team, blending everyone's thoughts.
- Because it's a group effort, the poem might take some exciting twists and turns, keeping it fresh and fun.
- You can try this out with your buddies or even in bigger groups like classes, resulting in a poem that's all about teamwork.
Example:
Here's an example of collaborative acrostic poem:
Theme: "Rainbow"
This is just a short example, but it demonstrates how each line contributes to the theme while also building on the previous lines, creating a cohesive poem.
Summing Up
I hope this guide gave you a fun introduction to the world of acrostic poems!
Now it's your turn to get creative.
What type of acrostic poem will you try writing first?
If you're feeling a bit stuck, you might want to try using an acrostic poem creator online.
Share your poem on social media and tag us! We'd love to see what you come up with.
