Writing Assignment 2

Continuing with this word game theme, have any of you ever written an acrostic? A acrostic is a poem in which the poet uses the first letter of word to spell another word. Take for example this acrostic using my first name.

As the world turns
Day becomes night
Always washing away darkness
Morning's shining light

Awesome poem isn't it? Acrostics have often been used by poets to write out the names of loved ones. Check out this poem by Edgar Allen Poe entitled “An Acrostic”

Elizabeth it is in vain you say
"Love not" — thou sayest it in so sweet a way:
In vain those words from thee or L.E.L.
Zantippe's talents had enforced so well:
Ah! if that language from thy heart arise,
Breath it less gently forth — and veil thine eyes.
Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried
To cure his love — was cured of all beside —
His follie — pride — and passion — for he died.

Acrostics don't necessarily have be written down the left-hand side of the poem. Poets can place or 'hide' them throughout the poem.

For your next writing activity I want you to write an acrostic or several acrostics (This all depends upon the length of the word you select. Remember, I am expecting at least 20 lines of poetry from you daily). I'd recommend that you choose a word of some significance to you like someone's name, a phrase, sports team name, anything. If your doing an acrostic that isn't written down the left-hand side of the poem, I want you to underline the words for me that hide the acrostic.

Good luck!