How to Write an Acrostic Poem

An acrostic poem is similar to an acronym. But rather than shortening information, an acrostic poem is used to give additional information about a chosen topic. Here, an acrostic poem using the word "cat" is the example.

Instructions

1. Choose a single word that represents the topic you are writing about. Write your word vertically on your paper placing one letter on each line. For this example, the topic word is "cat."

2. Select a word that describes your topic and begins with the same letter as your chosen word. For example, cuddly describes a cat and both words start with the letter "c." Write this word horizontally on your page.

3. Choose another word that describes your topic and begins with the same letter as the second letter of your topic. You could use "attentive" for the "a" in cat.

4. Continue this pattern until you reach the final letter of your topic word. For the topic word "cat," you could use "tree climber." You are now done, and your poem would read, "Cuddly Attentive Tree Climber."

Tips & Warnings

• Use a different font or color for your vertical letters and horizontal words to emphasize the horizontally written topic.

• An acrostic poem makes a creative report cover or presentation poster. Jazz it up with drawings or pictures about your topic.