One of the greatest things about writing poetry is that you never seem to run out of styles to try and master. While the cinquain is one of the simpler styles of poetry, there are many ways it can be used to make a statement. If you've been assigned a cinquain by your teacher (or you're just looking to expand your poetic horizons), read on for some pointers to get you started.

1. Read a few examples of cinquains.
2. Study the syllable pattern.
3. Write following a syllable pattern.
4. Study word patterns.
5. Write following word patterns.
6. Study description patterns.
7. Write descriptively.
8. Remember to use your words wisely.
9. Combine what you know with other styles or create your own.
10. Share your poetry with others.

One of the greatest things about writing poetry is that you never seem to run out of styles to try and master. While the cinquain is one of the simpler styles of poetry, there are many ways it can be used to make a statement. If you've been assigned a cinquain by your teacher (or you're just looking to expand your poetic horizons), read on for some pointers to get you started.

1. Read a few examples of cinquains.
2. Study the syllable pattern.
3. Write following a syllable pattern.
4. Study word patterns.
5. Write following word patterns.
6. Study description patterns.
7. Write descriptively.
8. Remember to use your words wisely.
9. Combine what you know with other styles or create your own.
10. Share your poetry with others.

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• by Jenny Hudock

• The most popular version of the cinquain, the Crapsey Cinquain, is comprised of five lines. Crapsey often cleverly utilized the title as a sixth line to enhance the statement of her cinquain. Cinquain.org: The Crapsey Cinquain and Its Variations What makes the rules for a cinquain similar to haiku is the focus on syllables. ABC Teach: How to Write a Cinquain (12.29 KB)

• The pattern of the cinquain is as follows:

1. Begin with a two syllable line. Dragon Writing Prompts: More nontraditional cinquains and the real one (April 27, 2006)
2. The next line increases to four syllables. Halifax Regional School Board: How to Write Cinquain Poetry
3. Line three adds two syllables to make six. Cinquain.org: Crapsey Cinquain
4. Line four requires eight syllables. Cinquain.org: Crapsey Cinquain
5. Line five returns to two syllables. Dragon Writing Prompts: More nontraditional cinquains and the real one (April 27, 2006)

• Let's take a look at one of Adelaide Crapsey's most famous cinquains entitled "Triad":

• "Triad"

• These be (2)
• Three silent things: (4)
• The falling snow... the hour (6)
• Before the dawn... the mouth of one (8)
• Just dead. (2) AHA Poetry: Cinquain

• A second style of cinquain focuses on the word patterns, rather than the syllables. Each line contains the number of words relating to its place in the poem, for example: ABC Teach: How to Write a Cinquain (12.29 KB)

1. Line one contains one word. Can Teach: How to Write a Cinquain
2. Line two has two words. ABC Teach: How to Write a Cinquain (12.29 KB)
3. Line three is made up of three words. Can Teach: How to Write a Cinquain
4. Line four has four words. ABC Teach: How to Write a Cinquain (12.29 KB)
5. Line five returns to one word. Can Teach: How to Write a Cinquain

• For example:

• Snow (1)
• white blanket (2)
• gently falling down (3)
• a spiral patterned dance (4)
• delightful (1)

• A third popular style for cinquain writing is to focus on the structure and word meaning together.

1. Line one acts as a title, so use a vague, two syllable word you want to enhance with the rest of the poem. In Our Write Minds: Writing a Cinquain Poem (March 28, 2008)
2. Line two is four syllables that describe the subject/title. Halifax Regional School Board: How to Write Cinquain Poetry
3. The third line is six syllables and made up of adjectives that often end in -ing. Prince Edward Island: Cinquain Resources and Lesson Plans In Our Write Minds: Writing a Cinquain Poem (March 28, 2008)
4. Eight syllables make up the fourth line. You want to use feeling words that relate to the subject. Blood and Ink: Formal Construction in Poetry - Part 2 (September 24, 2007)
5. The fifth line returns to two syllables. Use a simile, a word with the same meaning as your first line. Prince Edward Island: Cinquain Resources and Lesson Plans

• For example:

• Sunrise (2)
• another day (4)
• climbing, stretching, reaching (6)
• tranquil moment, absolute peace (8)
• it's dawn. (2)

• Note how the second stanza is a noun that describes the first, and the third takes action. The fourth stanza shows how the sunrise makes the speaker feel, and the fifth is a two syllable simile for the first stanza.

• Now that you have a basic understanding of how to write a cinquain, there are a number of techniques you can use to enhance its subtlety.

1. Since there are so few of them, remember to use your words wisely. Cinquain.org: The Crapsey Cinquain and Its Variations
2. Try adding a noticeable rhyme pattern to your cinquain. WikiHow: How to Write a Cinquain Poem
3. For a new twist, reverse the syllable pattern to 2, 8, 6, 4, 2. Cinquain.org: Cinquain Variations
4. Try stringing a series of cinquains together to make a longer poem. There are a number of styles that do this:
   1. A Crown Cinquain is five cinquains that make up a longer poem. Cinquain.org: Cinquain Variations
   2. Quintiles are multiple cinquains that center around the same subject. Blood and Ink: Formal Construction in Poetry - Part 2 (September 24, 2007)
5. Write a mirror cinquain, which is a regular cinquain followed by a reverse cinquain. Cinquain.org: Cinquain Variations
6. Get creative, and make up your own style using the cinquain as your inspiration.

• Writing a cinquain is fairly easy, but as with all poetry, once you have it down you'll be anxious to find new ways to exercise your new knowledge. Don't forget to share your poems with your writer's circle, and take advantage of any opportunity you can to read your work out loud to an audience.

• Introduction
• Step 1: Focus on Syllables
• Step 2: Focus on Words
• Step 3: Focus on Descriptions
• Step 4: Beyond the Basics
• Conclusion
• References