7-Minute Poetry Challenge #23-Where In The World?
So fun to toss around than a fancy word for a simple task. An Acrostic Poem is one of the simplest forms of poetry and yet it’s sooo confusing to describe in words. It can also be one of the most fun to write (and thus it’s one of the first forms of poetry children learn). Every Acrostic Poems begins the same way: With a word or phrase. This word or phrase is usually the title, too. (For clarity sake, I will refer to it as “the title” from here on out.)
from Young Writers
In short, the title is written in a column down the left side of the page. From there a word or phrase beginning with the letter—which defines or relates to the title—extends off the side of the letter left to right across the page.
Wait! I’ll make it easy for you with this example from Young Writers, an organization dedicated to encouraging children to write. Although its contests, etc. are for UK students, the resources on the website are for everyone! Now it’s your turn.
Poetry Challenge #23
Where In The World?
Pick a name, any name—of a place in the world. Create an Acrostic Poem by writing that place name down the left side of a page. Then, as in the example above, use words that begin with each letter to describe that place…or, if you’ve never been there, describe what you imagine that place is like.
If you think that’s too easy, try creating an acrostic in which the last letter of each line spells out the name.
Or harder still, try creating an acrostic with the name in the center of the line. (Below are examples also from Young Writers.)
“ACROSTIC AT THE END OF THE LINE
Just woken up, I’m famished! Fancy a bananA
Oh dear, none in the fruit bowl. Wish I could do magiC
Like Harry Potter. Over there I do see a pearR
That’s boring. How about sausages and mashed potatO?
Check the fridge-there’s only mouldy cheese and two grapeS
Even with my skills, I can’t make much with thaT
What I really want is sweeties, shame there’s only a kiwI
Phew, food dilemma over. I’ve been invited to a picinC!”
“ACROSTIC IN THE MIDDLE
Fancy Writing A Poem?
Pi C k a topic of your choice
You can w R ite about anything
Let y O ur imagination run wild
Choo S e the right words
Writing your T houghts on paper
Nothing is I mpossible
Be C reative!”
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Write the place of your choice down the length of the page.
Start Expanding!
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7-Minute Poetry Challenge #22-Surprise!
Poetry Challenge #22
Surprise!
Look around you. What do you see that surprises you? The house plants that have added new leaves and height? Dust covering a surface you just cleaned? The red flash of a cardinal in the winter landscape?
List as many things as you can and then rearrange them to make a poem. Think about the order and the sound of the words and what makes it the most surprising poem you can make.
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
*Drum Roll Please! Cindy Faughnan & I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than 700 days ago. 700!!! We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!
Want the 7-Minute Stretch sent to your email? Click on SUBSCRIBE to receive email notification when entries are posted on Kelly's Fishbowl
7-Minute Poetry Challenge #21-Inside Out, Upside Down & Backwards
Gotta love DIY videos! And the folks who take the time to find them--like daughter Lexi, who solved one of the great frustrations of my life with the link to one short clip: HOW TO PUT ON A DUVET COVER Thank you Lexi!
WARNING: Not all DIY tips work (neither do all poetry prompts) . . .
Dang duvet cover won't behave...
That being said, while Lexi and I were step-by-step smoothing, rolling and unrolling our perfectly stuffed duvet, (maybe because my upper half was not fully inside the cover as usual), a 7-minute poetry prompt popped into my noggin. (And, if you have a few moments left after you finish and need a laugh, click on the DIY Projects Gone Wrong link below.) Here Goes.
Poetry Challenge #21
INSIDE OUT, UPSIDE DOWN & BACKWARDS!
Begin by taking a minute to read through the poems you've already written and select one you think is HORRIBLE! or one you are excited to revise.
First: Giving yourself a pat on the back for having written it!
Now: Mix it up. Pluck a line out of the middle and move it to the beginning; move the last line to the first; the first line to the end, etc. etc. And so forth . . .
Why? Sometimes a poem is like a duvet cover, you've got to turn it inside out to make it work!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Mix It Up, Baby!
Have FUN!
Upside Down, Inside Out & Backwards Playlist:
- HOW TO PUT ON A DUVET COVER
- DYI Projects Gone Wrong
- Upside Down by Joe Jackson
- Upside Down Boy You're Turning Me by Diana Ross
- Shake It Up Baby from Ferris Bueller's Day Off
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at more than 680 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!