Poetry Structure Handout

1. Acrostic Poem- An acrostic poem is a type of poetry where the

first, last or other letters in a line spell out a particular word or phrase.
The most common and simple form of an acrostic poem is where the
first letters of each line spell out the word or phrase.

Example An acrostic poem using the beginning of

lines

Example - An acrostic poem using the end of lines

Example - An acrostic poem using the middle of the

lines

2. Ballade- A Ballade poem should have three stanzas and an envoy.

The rhyming pattern for the stanza is ababbcbC. C- the last line should
be the refrain, a repeating line at the end of each stanza. The pattern
for the envoy is bcbC. C, once again being the refrain. To make

rhyming easier you may rhyme with the ending sound of the word as
shown in the example below.

Example of a Ballade

3. Ballad- A poem that tells a story often used for songs because of
their rhyme. Write a ballad with 4 verses with the pattern aabb and an
ending verse with abcc.
4. Epic- a serious poem that tells a story; similar to a narrative piece in
length with heroic events and deeds. There is no structure other than it
tells a story.
5. Kennings- a two work phrase describing an object as a metaphore.
A kennings poem is a riddle made up of several lines to describe
something or someone. The structure consists of several stanzas of

two describing words with the final line revealing the object being
described.

An example of a Kennings Poem

My Sister
Dummy-sucker
Teddy-thrower
Anything-chewer
Kiss-giver
Slave-employer
Dolly-hugger
Calm-destroyer
Milk-drinker
Nappy-leaker
Peace-breaker
Scream-shrieker
Unlike any other
My sister
6. Sonnet- a poem of an expressive though or idea made of 14 lines
each with 10 syllables (To count syllables how many times your jaw
drops or moves in a word, each word has at least one syllable in it.)
The structure for this open will be abab cdcd efef gg.
7. Kyrielle- a structured poem with all lines having 8 syllables in each
stanza of 4 lines ending in a refrain. The pattern is aabB ccbB ddbB
eebB with the capital B being the refrain.

Example of a Kyrielle Poem

Pollution
Pollution rising in the sky,

a8

People wear masks as they walk by,

a8

It's about time to turn the bend,

b8

For all this pollution to end..

B8

Animals are losing their homes,

c8

To make way for buildings with domes,

c8

What message do we have to send,

b8

For all this pollution to end.

B8

We're all guilty we must confess,

d8

Guilty of making such a mess,

d8

It's time for action, find a friend,

b8

For all this pollution to end.

B8

If we don't act the world won't last,

e8

Breathing fresh air will have long passed,

e8

This is the message that I send,

b8

For all this pollution to end.

B8

1. Ode- a lyric open, usually addressing a

person or thing. Structure of an ode is to use

similes and metaphors
Example of a Ode
Ode to an Olive
Oh Olive,
You are as precious to me as any gem,
With your beautiful, pure skin as smooth as
silk
And as green as the grass in summertime.
I love your taste and the smell of your tender
fruit
Which hides beneath your green armour.
Olive, sweet, tasty Olive,
How I love you so and my mealtimes wouldn't
be the same
If you weren't in my life.
Oh Olive,