Minds On

The cinquain

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Think about a way to find the origin of the word “cinquain.”

Colour image of the number 5

How many syllables are in the word “cinquain”? There are two syllables in “cin-quain.” How many syllables in “poetry?” There are three syllables in “po-e-try.” With a partner, if possible, take turns giving each other words and/or phrases for the other to count the syllables or choose words independently to practice with.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Action

The cinquain poem has 5 lines

Adelaide Crapsey (1878–1914), an American poet created the cinquain poet inspired by the Japanese Haiku and Tanka poetry. The traditional cinquain poem does not rhyme. The purpose is to create a mood or a feeling. Today, there are many variations of a cinquain poem.

Cinquain structure

First line

2 syllables, 1 word title of cinquain poem

Second line

4 syllables, 2 words that are adjectives to describe the title

Third line

6 syllables, 3 words that describe the title (usually action words ending “ing”)

Fourth line

8 syllables, 4 words that express emotions about the title

Fifth line

2 syllables, 1 word (synonym for title)

Now, count the syllables in each line of the following cinquain poem:

  • Wildlife
  • Peaceful alive
  • Surprising thrilling stunning
  • Mysterious yet familiar
  • Spirits

Compose your cinquain poem

Complete the following steps to compose your cinquain poem.

1. Choose a topic

1 word with 2 syllables

Brainstorm (mind-map) or explore visual images or photos for possible ideas and topics to choose from.

Choose a topic about making a positive change in the world that you are passionate about. Possible topics include rescuing animals, fostering animals, helping food banks, volunteering, protecting wildlife, the natural environment, or other topics suggested to you by your teacher. Brainstorm (mind-map) or explore visual images or photos for possible ideas and topics to choose from.

Think of one word with 2 syllables.

2. Choose two adjectives

2 words that together form a total of 4 syllables

3. Choose 3 action words

6 syllables

Choose 3 action words that describe or relate to the title and write them ending with “-ing.”

4. Compose a phrase that express feelings and emotions

8 syllables

Compose a phrase with 8 syllables that express feelings and emotions. You can try to include alliteration.

5. Choose a synonym for the title

2 syllables

Choose a synonym for the title that has 2 syllables.

6. Check your poem for spelling

Write a final draft.

Think about which fonts and/or font sizes to include for your published poem.

7. Publish your poem

Share your poem.

You can access the following fillable and printable organizer My Cinquain Poem to help you compose your poem using the steps you just learned. You can also complete the activity in your notebook.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Cinquain Poem. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Mini-Module

This section is for you to review as needed. Exploring the videos and practicing this work is for you to complete only if you need or would like to.

What is alliteration?

Alliteration is when you choose words with a repeating letter sound such as "smooth slithering slippery snakes stake such satisfying synonyms to spell."

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Try to grow the following phrases with alliteration:

  • ‘farm frog freddie’
  • ‘marching men’
  • ‘rapidly rowers’
  • ‘singing swallows’
  • ‘crystal clear’

The letters shared by each word that is part of the alliteration are the same and produce the same sound.

Think of a phrase with a couple of words to grow using alliteration. While you’re writing your poem, ask a friend or a family member for help to come up with words to add using alliteration in your poem.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Spelling strategies

Do your best to spelling familiar and unfamiliar words using spelling strategies (root words, letter blends, similarly spelled word). Explore the following Homework Zone video on spelling strategy tips entitled “Spelling Practice” for more help with this.

Note: check your spelling in the revision phase

Adjectives

What are adjectives?

First, let’s review adjectives. You’ll notice how adjectives qualify something, that something is a noun.

Explore the following two Homework Zone’s videos to review your knowledge of adjectives.

Comparative adjectives

Add an ‘-er’ or ‘-est’

We take certain adjectives and add endings like -er to turn the word fast into faster or fastest. In these cases, the er and est ending characterizes the comparative adjective. With some words we have to drop their y endings and add - ier or - iest. For example, cuddly becomes cuddlier or cuddliest.

We can also include using the comparative word ‘than.’

The rabbit is faster than the turtle.

Drop the ‘y’ and replace with ‘-ier’ or ‘-iest’

In the following cases, you would drop the ‘y’ and replace it with an ‘-ier’ or ‘-iest’ ending

  • Weather conditions:
  • Windy, stormy, rainy, cloudy, foggy, snowy, chilly
  • Cleanliness:
  • Smelly, dirty, messy, tidy
  • Size:
  • Tiny
  • Surface textures:
  • Shiny
  • Feelings:
  • Happy, angry, crazy, witty, cuddly, silly
  • Descriptors of food flavour:
  • Spicy, salty, sugary, savoury

When words like ‘or’ are used to compare adjectives

Some adjectives don’t follow the ‘-y,’ ‘-er,’ or ‘-est’ rule and require qualifier words like ‘or.’

  • Weather conditions:
  • Humid or dry
  • Size:
  • Small or big or large or medium
  • Thick or thin
  • Short or tall
  • Wide or narrow
  • Speed:
  • Fast or quick or slow
  • Surface textures:
  • Sharp or dull or brittle
  • Personality:
  • Mean or kind
  • Responsible or irresponsible
  • Descriptors of food flavour:
  • Bland or flavourful or sour
  • Colour:
  • Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, black, white… magenta!

When words don’t follow either rule…

In some cases, words don’t follow either of the rules that you’ve examined so far.

For example, the adjective “good” doesn’t get turned into “gooder” or “more good.” Instead, we use the word “better.” Same with “bad,” which doesn’t get turned into “badder” or “more bad.” Instead, we use the word “worse.”

These are some words that are examples that don’t follow the rules explained:

  • good, bad, joy, excitement, excite, depressed, anxious, bored, articulate, concise,
  • ridiculous, generous, delicious, sour, attentive, patient, impatient, unusual, sour,
  • responsible/irresponsible, dedicated, motivated

How do we know which words follow which rules? We familiarize ourselves simply by reading good writing, and often.

Comparative adjectives word work exercise

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Practice changing the following sentences to include a comparative adjective to grow the sentence to give more description and detail.

  1. The student ran fast.
  2. The neighbour gave out party bags out for halloween.
  3. The sibling saved the last cookie for their sister.
  4. The dog sat wagging their tail.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Review adverbs

Now, we’ll take some time review adverbs.

Examine the following two Homework Zone videos to better understand adverbs, as well as understanding the difference between adverbs and adjectives.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Make up 5 to 10 simple basic sentences to change into a new sentence to include adjectives and/or adverbs.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Consolidation

Present and share your cinquain poem!

Present and share your cinquain poem with your friends or family members. Your presentation can take any form you like. For example, you may wish to audio or video record your presentation.

Or perhaps create a Visual Arts piece to accompany your poem. Be creative!

Cinquain reflection

How did exploring examples of poems and discussing with others help you create your poem?

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

Discover more

Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.

Research the format of the Haiku poem using a search engine of your choice or another reference resource. Compare the Haiku with the Cinquain.