Poetry is used to create feeling and emotion, or a detailed mental image of something, even using very few words.  A cinquain is a type of poem that only has five lines and follows one of three specific formats:

Pattern #1:

1 word

2 words

3 words

4 words

1 word

Pattern #2:

Line 1 – A noun

Line 2 – Two adjectives

Line 3 – Three action words (ending in -ing)

Line 4 – A phrase

Line 5 – Another word for the noun (synonym)

Pattern #3:

Line 1 – Two syllables

Line 2 – Four syllables

Line 3 – Six syllables

Line 4 – Eight syllables

Line 5 – Two syllables

Brainstorm a person, place, or thing you want to write about.  Pick one of these patterns and write a cinquain on the topic of your choice!