Cinquain

1. Explain to the participants that a cinquain is a poem in 5 lines, and that the word cinquain comes from the French word ‘cinq’ for “five.”
2. Share the formula or recipe for writing, as below, and ask the participants to develop their own poems and read them out.
3. Note that the cinquain has five lines that follow this sequence:

     Cinquain Recipe

      Line A: One general one-word subject or topic

      Line B: Two vivid adjectives that describe the topic

      Line C: Three interesting -ing action verbs that fit the topic

      Line D: Four-word phrase that captures feeling about the topic

      Line E: A very specific term that explains Line A

4. Ask learners to try their hand at writing cinquains. Let them present to the class.

The Cinquain may help learners to develop first descriptions of several elements of the chosen topic, in an interesting and engaging way.

For example, learners may list several different dimensions of ‘Cotton’, such as cotton pest, organic cotton, jeans, etc. Learners working individually or in groups could quickly prepare several short rhymes that get them thinking about these topics in a little more detail.

EXAMPLE

Insect

Hidden, hungry

Preening, searching, stalking

Waits as if praying

Mantis