How to Write Diamante Poems

Diamante poems are diamond-shaped poems that generally compare or contrast two subjects. The first three and a half lines relate to one subject and the second three and a half lines relate to an opposing or complementary subject.

Diamante poems are useful educational tools in teaching poetry, ESL and early geometry. Their rigid, simple style makes them ideal for early poets, their use of antonyms and parts of speech make them valuable for English language students, and they are used in elementary geometry classes to contrast shapes.

Compose a diamante poem using the steps below.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Compose line one using one noun that has a one-word compliment or opposition that you can use for line seven.

   • 2

     Create line two using two adjectives that describe line one.

   • 3

     Write line three using three action verbs that relate to line one.

   • 4

     Arrange line four using four nouns. Relate the first two nouns to line one and the second pair to line seven. The fourth line serves as a link between the two subjects.

   • 5

     Compose line five using three action verbs that relate to line seven.

   • 6

     Create line six using two adjectives that describe line seven.

   • 7

     Write line seven using one noun that compliments or opposes the noun on line one.