How to Write a Cinquain

Video Transcript

"Hi. I'm Laura from youngwritersworkshops.com and I'm going to talk about how to write a cinquain. A cinquain is a five line stanza specifically defined in what each line contains. I'll talk about each line and then we'll go back and write one together. The first line is always going to be a noun or a subject. It only contains two syllables but depending on your approach you can use any, just use one word or a two syllable word. The next line, step two, would be to create a two word line that relates back to your first line and these two words are going to be added to describe the first word. The next step would be to create three words that are action words that relate back to the first line. So they're going to be some verbs that describe an action that would be related to your first word. The next line is a complete thought or even a sentence that also sums up or relates back to your first word. Then the final fifth line would be a restatement of that one word, a different word that describes that same first word. So let's write a cinquain together. Let's take the word flower for our subject. Flower. The next line, as we said, is going to be two or more words, four syllables that describe this word. So let's say tiny and white. Let next line is going to be six syllables that are verbs describing this first word. Bursting, opening wide, flower. The next word is a complete thought or sentence. A flower is alive. Then our last line is going to be two syllables or one word that describes the first word. Blossom. And that's how to write a cinquain."