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How to Write an Acrostic Poem

Pointers on Writing Acronym Based Poetry

By Linda Ann Nickerson, published May 07, 2008
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What is acrostic poetry? An acrostic is a poem which spells out an important word or idea. Often, the acrostic poem actually indicates the title of the poem itself. Usually, but not always, the first letter of each line in an acrostic poem spells out this key word. Here is an example of a traditional acrostic poem:

Perhaps you have a wonderful idea to share,
Or you may dream in colors mankind has never seen.
Everyone else has no idea
That you live in vibrancy unknown.
Revealing your vision can shake the world
You simply must put it into words.

Is the acrostic always formed by the first letter of every line?

In acrostic poetry, the key word may be spelled out anywhere within each line of the poem. The highlighted letters may appear at the end of each line, as here:

At the writing shoPP,
ntO
Every pointO own eyE
And read eyE thoughT.

WhthoughTfinal letter of each line is highlighted, acrostic poets usually stagger the lines, so these key letters are stacked neatly in a column.

In some acrostic poems, the key letters may be deliberately arranged for poetic and artistic effect.

Here's what this might look like:

Have you eveR seen raineveRRops,
raindRops, ever fAlfAlling
DrIppifAllingoveDrIppingt sIdewalk,
WheN sIdewalkbriWheN walkiNg off to swalkiNg

If you read downwards, you will notice the acrostic message, "RAIN, RAIN." In this acrostic poem, the letters are staggered, just like raindrops.

What is alphabet acrostic poetry?

Alphabet acrostic poetry offers several lines, usually one for each letter of the alphabet and most likely in ascending (A-B-C) order.

An alphabet acrostic poem might look like this simple example, which explains this format:

How to Write an Acrostic Poem

Poetry Pointers: What is an acrostic poem, and how do you write one? What makes acrostics special? Here are simple instructions for creating acrostic poetry, along with several original examples.

Credit: Adapted from Karen's Whimsy

Copyright: http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images

Takeaways
  • An acrostic is a poem which spells out an important word or idea.
  • Often, the acrostic poem actually indicates the title of the poem itself.
  • Acrostic poetry offers a simple start for aspiring poets.
Did You Know?
Linda Ann Nickerson has written and published many helpful holiday how-to's, humor pieces, poems, and informative articles. Click her name at the top to view additional content from this prolific author.
Comments
Comments 1 - 14 of 14
 
 
Useful information. I like the way you explained that, easy to understand. Just what I'm looking for. Thanks for the lesson! :-)

Posted on 06/04/2008 at 2:06:48 PM

 
I love this!!!!!! Very cool to learn this!!!!

Posted on 05/08/2008 at 8:05:37 PM

 
Great explanation of the form. I loved the acrostic poem you used for the ABC's. *****

Posted on 05/08/2008 at 8:05:45 PM

 
Very good info.....................I will try this some day..........................

Posted on 05/08/2008 at 6:05:02 PM

 
very cool,I will try one of these ARTme

Posted on 05/08/2008 at 1:05:29 PM

 
The 3rd poem is supposed to read this way: "Have you eveR seen raindRops, Gently fAlling, ever fAlling, DrIpping all over the wet sIdewalk, WheN you are briskly walkiNg off to school?" (The mid-line capitalizations spell out "RAIN" and "RAIN," looking like falling raindrops.) Oh, well, great intentions . . . odd upload. ;-(

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 4:05:26 PM

 
WHOA! Something weird happened with the formatting on this article. The 2nd poem is supposed to read this way: "At the writing shoP, You can look intO Every poet's own eyE And read his thoughT." (The last letter of each line is capitalized, as this reveals the acrostic, which spells the word "POET.")

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 4:05:11 PM

 
Good to know, very cool indeed!!!

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 3:05:53 PM

 
Interesting.

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 3:05:51 PM

 
Nicely done! It seems mind-boggling to my poor little brain!

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 2:05:49 PM

 
Cool - I might have to give this a try. Thanks for the lesson.

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 2:05:49 PM

 
Awesome article, you show us well :) Sheri

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 2:05:02 PM

 
Very well done! My daughter just learned about Acrostic Poems and would be thrilled to see this. Excellent publication, Linda.

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 1:05:24 PM

 
Good to know

Posted on 05/07/2008 at 12:05:21 PM

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