This assignment may be done alone, in pairs, or in small groups.
Write a "diamond" poem that relates to a specific issue or topic discussed in class. It's called a diamond poem because the finished product is shaped like a diamond. Actually, this type of poem is more often called a diamante poem ("diamante" being the Italian word for the English word "diamond").
This seven-line type of poetry that does not rhyme was developed in 1969 by American poet Iris Tiedt. It forces you to do descriptive writing about two opposing or contrasting words. Composing a diamond poem can be an engaging word study exercise.
To create a poem with a unique diamond shape, use seven lines in which the beginning and the final lines contain just one word (usually opposites or antonyms). The middle line should be the longest line. In essence, the words used to form the resulting diamond pattern amplify the meaning of two contrasting words at the top and bottom of the poem.
The most common way to start writing a diamond poem is to choose two nouns of opposite meanings, such as "ice" and "fire" or "heaven" and "hell." Then, fill in the middle five lines with progressively longer and then shorter lines. When completed, your diamond-shaped poem should express the contrast between two ideas or themes about which you are writing the poem.
Here is the formula or format for a diamond (or diamante) poem:
Here is another way of visualizing it:
Noun
Adjective, Adjective
Verb, Verb, Verb
Noun, Noun, Noun, Noun
Verb, Verb, Verb
Adjective, Adjective
Noun
Death
Blind, lost
Crying, wailing, searching
Cold, empty, full, warm
Hearing, believing, finding
Sight, found
Life.
written by Kim Jayne and Rodger Rushing
Lost
Confused, Scared
Sinning, lying, cheating
Doubtful, Uncertain, Certain, Confident
Accepting, Worshiping, Giving
Joyful, Compassionate
Found!
written by Jaci Bounds, Tim Reiswig and Justin Waldron
Saul
pious, hateful
hunting, arresting, persecuting
opponent, blind, converted, disciple
seeking, freeing, saving
humble, compassionate
Paul
written by Robby Seal
As you can see, the formula is: Top line: one-word topic, second line: Two adjectives, third line: Three "ing" verbs, fourth line: Two words looking backward and two forward, fifth line: Three "ing" verbs, sixth line: Two adjectives, and the final line: A word meaniong the opposite of the original topic.
-- Howard Culbertson,
Diamante poems, with their unique structure resembling a diamond, offer a creative and versatile platform for expression. They can be valuable tools in both educational and artistic contexts.
Their structured format encourages concise and thoughtful word choice. They foster language skills such as vocabulary expansion and semantic understanding. Furthermore, crafting a diamante poem prompts writers to explore contrasts and connections between opposing concepts. That stimulates critical thinking and fosters deeper insights.
Beyond their educational benefits, diamante poems serve as powerful vehicles for self-expression and emotional exploration. They allow people to encapsulate complex emotions or ideas within a concise and visually striking form. Thus, the usefulness of diamante poems lies not only in their educational value but also in their capacity to inspire creativity and facilitate meaningful expression.