Writer’s Workshop: Cinquains

1. Writer’s Workshop: Cinquains

2. What is a cinquain? • A cinquain is a five line poem that follows a pattern. Cinq is the French word for five. Cinquains do not rhyme. Cinquains are American derivatives of haiku and tanka. • Cinquains include 5 lines, of 2, 4, 5, 8, and 2 syllables (this will be optional for our class)

3. Example 1 Bicycle Gleaming, new Racing, wheeling, braking Bouncing over gutters Fun.

4. Example 2 Mouse Small, furry Squeaking, running, twitching As quiet as night Rodent.

5. Next, let’s come together as one powerful brain and write a cinquain together. • Line 1: Write the subject. One word. • Line 2: Write two adjectives that describe the subject. • Line 3: Write three very descriptive verbs that end in ‘ing’ that tell about the subject. • Line 4: Write a short statement to tell how that subject feels or what it does. • Line 5: Repeat the first line or choose another adjective.

6. Now, try writing a cinquain on your own with my support. • Line 1: Write the subject. One word. • Line 2: Write two adjectives that describe the subject. • Line 3: Write three very descriptive verbs that end in ‘ing’ that tell about the subject. • Line 4: Write a short statement to tell how that subject feels or what it does. • Line 5: Repeat the first line or choose another adjective.