Writing Amazing Acrostics (A Tutorial)

Writing Amazing Acrostics (A Tutorial)
by Robert Gardiner

First, in our endeavor to know what an Amazing Acrostic is and how to write one, let's get familiar with what an Acrostic is by definition:

1) ACROSTIC POEM - A poem where the first letter of each line spells a word that can be read vertically

2) ACROSTIC POEM: A poem in which the first letters of each line form a word or message relating to the subject.

3) ACROSTIC POEM: A poem where the first letter of each line spells a word or phrase, usually using the same word, words, or phrase as in the title - expounding upon it.

4) ACROSTIC POEM: A poem wherein, the first letter of each line or alternating rhymed line of a poem come together to form a word and-or phrase, with each line and the words therein highlighting that word and-or phrase (subject).

Well, now that you have a base definition of what an Acrostic poem is, we can work from there in tutoring you to Write Acrostics Well, and therefore, Write Amazing Acrostics. As you can see from the definitions Acrostics are poems where the first letter of each line in the poem form a word, phrase, or message - usually featured as the title of your poem and relating to and-or highlighting that subject/title. So, keeping the base definition in mind, when writing an Acrostic, you must first consider your subject (title) and work from that and work to amplify that. If you're writing an Acrostic about someone or something you like (love), expound upon that, extol those attributes (assets). When beginning to write your Acrostic, no matter what your subject be or is about, think about what it is you want to write, what you want to say, what you want and are trying to do. Use your first line as sort of an opening statement (lead in) that help to convey what you're trying to express and keeping that in mind let that first line help lead you to your second line, thinking about and considering the letter which you have to work with and what word of that letter you could use to create a suitable next line that relates to the last and helps to amplify that previous line and what you're trying to say, express, overall, doing that for each following line and so on. If you're writing an Acrostic called "SUMMER, "SUMMER", what is it that you're trying to say about summer? What are you trying to exclaim, with, and in what you're writing? When writing your "SUMMER" Acrostic, what are you trying to express, get across, and how are you going to do that? If you're writing about what you like about summer or the beauty thereof, then let your poem highlight that. Perhaps you could start like this,

"Sun shining, beautifully, in the sky."

Then continue on to exclaim summer, maybe with a line as such,

"Uplifting, the radiance of Heaven's Eye."

See, first you stated the Sun's Beauty, then you expressed how uplifting it is to see. Now, you could continue on with a line as such;

"Majestic, the serenity, of a lovely summer's day."

As you've continued on with writing, you've now expressed the serene majesty of a summer's day. Continuing again, your next line could be;

"Mother Nature's Splendor leaves me, just amazed."

Now, you further amplified summer's beauty, by stating the Splendor therein, or in the process of writing your Acrostic, you could use a different set of lines highlighting the "M's", speaking to Summer Flowers beginning with "M", Marigolds come to mind, perhaps saying;

"Marigolds blossom, coloring, the fields."

Continuing;

"Magnificent, the resplendence that summer yields."

Now, with those two lines, you've spoken to the magnificent, resplendent scenery found in the summer. You could then close the piece (poem) with lines as such;

"Eternal, the charm, by summer, possessed."

Continuing;

"Raptured, I am, by its loveliness."

See, in closing out your poem, you spoke about the charm, which summer possesses and how that charm is eternal and spoken also to the Rapture of a lovely summer's day. Now, you've have completed your Acrostic, writing with your subject in mind, fitting your words, lines, to that subject, the title, of your poem, expounding upon those things that made it a worthy write, relating each line and the words therein to you're chosen title, subject matter, and that is how you write an Amazing Acrostic. By putting your words and lines together carefully to highlight, amplify your subject and say what you wanted to say and give your reader (audience) a picture of what's being expressed. You want to show your reader why you chose that title, subject, by the words chosen and how they relate to one another, conveying what it is you're trying to say. Do that and you've done your job!!! You got a Great Acrostic!!! Here are your keys to writing a great one;

1) Remember, that Everything Reverts back To your Subject/Title and should be written with that subject/title in mind.

2) Know your Objective - know what your goal is in writing your Acrostic, and when writing your Acrostic, remember this, you want your reader to pick up on what you are saying, your objective is to kind of paint them a picture of what you are expressing about your subject.

Here are the two versions of the sample Acrostic "SUMMER" that we have created as they would look, read, and appear as a completed poetic work;

Version 1:

SUMMER...
(An Acrostic Poem)

Sun shining, beautifully, in the sky.
Uplifting, the radiance of Heaven's Eye.
Majestic, the serenity, of a lovely summer's day.
Mother Nature's Splendor leaves me, just amazed.
Eternal, the charm, by summer, possessed.
Raptured, I am, by its loveliness.

Version 2:

SUMMER...
(An Acrostic Poem)

Sun shining, beautifully, in the sky.
Uplifting, the radiance of Heaven's Eye.
Marigolds blossom, coloring, the fields.
Magnificent, the resplendence that summer yields.
Eternal,the charm, by summer, possessed.
Raptured, I am, by its loveliness.

See how it all comes together well, being as we've taken the time to craft our lines to fit the subject we're expanding upon and to exclaim that of which we wish to regale. That's how you craft quality to great work and write an amazing Acrostic.