Acrostic Poems

1What is an acrostic poem?

In an acrostic poem, the first letter of each line spells a word, read from top to bottom. The word is usually the topic of the poem.

• B uzzing in the garden
• E arly in the morning
• E very flower they visit
• S weet honey they bring

Read the first letters downwards: B-E-E-S. The topic is "Bees".

2An acrostic poem: RAIN

• R ain drops tapping on the roof,
• A ll the frogs begin to sing,
• I n the fields the paddy grows,
• N ature smiles at everything.

3How to write an acrostic poem

• 1. Choose a word, e.g. NATURE.
• 2. Write its letters downwards, one on each line.
• 3. Think of words and phrases about the topic.
• 4. Start each line with the letter on that line.
• 5. Read your poem aloud and share it with the class.

The lines do not have to rhyme. Make sure every line is about the topic.

4Example: NATURE

• N ew leaves on every tree,
• A nimals running free,
• T all mountains touch the sky,
• U nder clouds the eagles fly,
• R ivers rushing to the sea,
• E arth, a home for you and me.