HOW TO TEACH POETRY: CINQUAIN
Khoiriyatul Hariro, M. Sayid Wijaya, Yulia Isnaini, Yulieda Hermaniar
Here are the steps to teach cinquain:
Step 1: Brainstorm with the class a list of words that describes butterflies. Write the words on chart paper.
Step 2: Brainstorm a list of action words and write their responses on the chart.
Step 3: Follow the same procedure for words that express feelings. We also included words about how the topic feels to touch.
Step 4: Provide the students with a template of the cinquain and explain each line.
Do an example together. Have the students suggest words for each line.
Step 5: Students may refer to the list of words on the chart paper to write their own poems.
Step 6. Students may use the word processor to write their poems and then draw a picture to illustrate their poem.
Another classroom instruction in teaching cinquain:
1) Present examples of cinquain poems. Ask students if they find the poems you presented familiar to them. Can they tell what form of poetry was used? Do they know how to write one? Did they ever write one?
2) Ask each student whether he thinks that such poems are useful or not. Encourage them to be honest. Encourage them to tell what they truly feel. Show them that you are really considering their opinions. You don't need to agree or disagree with them but you need to show them that their opinions are heard. Discuss a particular opinion if needed.
3) Ask them what they think were the reasons why poets wrote cinquain poems. Did poets made money out of it? Did they write merely because of vanity? You may want to discuss the origin and history of cinquain poetry while they express their opinions. Discuss the etymology of the word "cinquain" and other facets which students may find interesting or facets which they may need in formulating their statements.
4) If you want them to write cinquain poems, I suggest that you require only one poem for each student to write. Tell your students that they must have purposes in writing or else writing would be difficult. If possible, discuss every poem your students wrote to show them that their work is valued.
2) Ask each student whether he thinks that such poems are useful or not. Encourage them to be honest. Encourage them to tell what they truly feel. Show them that you are really considering their opinions. You don't need to agree or disagree with them but you need to show them that their opinions are heard. Discuss a particular opinion if needed.
3) Ask them what they think were the reasons why poets wrote cinquain poems. Did poets made money out of it? Did they write merely because of vanity? You may want to discuss the origin and history of cinquain poetry while they express their opinions. Discuss the etymology of the word "cinquain" and other facets which students may find interesting or facets which they may need in formulating their statements.
4) If you want them to write cinquain poems, I suggest that you require only one poem for each student to write. Tell your students that they must have purposes in writing or else writing would be difficult. If possible, discuss every poem your students wrote to show them that their work is valued.
Materials:
What is a cinquain?
At the most basic level a cinquain is a five line poem or stanza. The poem has one topic and the details describe the the topic's actions and feelings.
At the most basic level a cinquain is a five line poem or stanza. The poem has one topic and the details describe the the topic's actions and feelings.
Here are two variations.
Method One
Line 1 - one word for the topic
Line 2 - 2 words to describes your topic
Line 3 - 3 words that describes the actions relating to your topic
Line 4 - 4 words that describes the feelings relating to your topic
Line 5 - one word that is another name for your topic
Line 2 - 2 words to describes your topic
Line 3 - 3 words that describes the actions relating to your topic
Line 4 - 4 words that describes the feelings relating to your topic
Line 5 - one word that is another name for your topic
Method Two
Line 1 - two syllables
Line 2 - four syllables
Line 3 - six syllables
Line 4 - eight syllables
Line 5 - two syllables
Examples:
The Feast
Millennium
Fallen angels are bound
A foretaste of utopia
Freedom
Millennium
Fallen angels are bound
A foretaste of utopia
Freedom
Virtue
Rarely given
Makes charm and beauty vain
Far more worthy than all rubies
A gift
Exercise:
Plan a Cinquain
What is your topic? _________________________
What does your topic look like? Smell like? Taste like? Sound like? Feel like?
What can this (your topic) do (what action)?
How do you feel about your topic?
What are some other words that have the same meaning as your topic (synonyms)?
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