A Fun Mini-Assignment: Diamante Poems

Diamante Poems

Diamante poems are named after "diamonds" for their shape.  They are simple, easy and fun to write, and I'd like to see at least three on your blogs.  This will give you a chance to use your THESAURUS and find some good words to replace simple words.  It will also allow you to play with some creative formatting.  As you can see in the Diamante Poem I wrote below, I made the fonts different colors and even used emoticons and pictures to contrast the opposites. 

Here is how a Diamante Poem is written:

NOUN
ADJECTIVE  ADJECTIVE

ING-VERB   ING-VERB   ING-VERB

NOUN       NOUN      NOUN       NOUN

ING-VERB      ING-VERB     ING-VERB

ADJECTIVE  ADJECTIVE

NOUN

There are a few ways to write them.  They can be about one thing, from start to finish, but it's more fun to start with something and transition towards an opposite - such as HOT & COLD, COMPUTER GAMES & HOMEWORK, or even SISTER & BROTHER.

1. Opposites: As you can see above (and in the example below), the poem is divided in half. The first noun and the last noun should be opposites, such as HOT and COLD, and in the middle there should be a transition. This is the most interesting method, and you can be creative. Spring and Fall, Love and Hate, Sleep and Awake etc. etc. etc.
2. Just one topic: You can keep your poem about one thing only, and explore more words to illustrate it. The first noun and the last noun could be the same or about the same thing.
3. Related Dynamically: Instead of using opposites, you could change your poem in the middle to contrast two things that have a relationship. One of my students started with "Cheeseburger" and finished with "Global Warming." Can you guess the connection? Fastfood creates paper waste and the meat is from cows who produce methane. Very creative! How about North Korea and South Korea, or School and Academy, or Apple and Microsoft? iPad and Galaxy? The possibilities are endless.

In the past, I've had students start with CHEESEBURGER and move towards GLOBAL WARMING.  It doesn't have to be an opposite.  As long as it's related and the reader sees the connection, your Diamante Poem will be good.  

Here is an example of what I expect from you guys with the Diamante Poems.  Try to write at least two or three, and creatively make a transition from one subject to the next.  Post pictures to jazz things up a little.  This one, about Red Cards and Green Cards.  These pictures help a lot, and make sure everything is centered . As well, we've made the font as big as possible for more impact.  Let's have some fun with this simple yet very creative style of poetry.  The best ones from each class will get a GREEN CARD!!!!! 

ㅠ,ㅠ
Red Cards

harsh, critical

catching, punishing, crying

P.A., T.A., Teachers, Students

winning, earning, enjoying

positive, proud

Green Cards!
^,^