How to Write a Diamante

Diamante: A seven-line poem that takes the shape of a diamond. Lion Majestic, proud Roaring, snarling, prowling Mane, muscle . . . Fleece, fluff Bleating, leaping, grazing Meek, gentle Lamb

A Poem of Opposites

Diamantes are poems about opposites: the first and last words have opposite meanings (or convey opposite ideas).

A diamante has seven lines that follow this sequence:

Line A: One word --Topic A (must be a noun)
Line B: Two vivid adjectives that describe Topic A
Line C: Three interesting “-ing” action verbs that describe Topic A
Line D: Two concrete nouns about Topic A and two about Topic B
Line E: Three interesting “-ing” action verbs that describe Topic B
Line F: Two vivid adjectives that describe Topic C
Line G: One word -- Topic B (must be a noun)

Here’s another example:

Light
Clear, brilliant
Glowing, shining, revealing
Mirror, candle . . . Whisper, shadow
Deepening, sleeping, shrouding
Black, quiet
Darkness

Brainstorming 

Use the tips below to brainstorm on blank paper for different ideas. Then follow the directions to write your own descriptive diamante. Because the poem has a limited number of words, choose each word carefully, avoiding vague, blah words.

Writing Your Diamante

Opposite Word Pair Ideas

Correct: age/youth (nouns)
Incorrect: old/young (adjectives)

·         cat/dog

·         boy/girl

·         hamburger/Coke

·         pencil/paper

·         sandals/sneakers

·         king/queen

·         fire/ice

·         thunder/lightning

·         earth/sea

·         rose/thorn

·         love/hate

·         victory/defeat

·         peace/turmoil

Line A: Name a topic (see the suggestions above for some ideas).
Line G: Name an opposite topic. (This will be the LAST line of your diamante.) Remember—topics must be nouns.
Line B: Brainstorm 5-6 vivid, concrete adjectives to describe Topic A. Do not choose words that end in “-ing.”
Line C: Brainstorm 5-6 highly descriptive participles (verbs ending in “-ing”) that fit Topic A.
Line D: Brainstorm several nouns that tell something about Topic A and Topic G. Be careful—make sure you choose NOUNS, not ADJECTIVES!
Line E: Brainstorm 5-6 highly descriptive participles (verbs ending in “-ing”) that fit Topic G.
Line F: Brainstorm 5-6 vivid, concrete adjectives to describe Topic G. Do not choose words that end in “-ing.”

1.      Pick out your most descriptive words from your brainstorming and put your diamante together. Diamantes do not need titles.

2.      When you are satisfied, recopy the poem onto clean notebook paper.

3.      Center your diamante on the paper.

4.      Begin each line with a capital letter, and remember your commas. Do not use ending punctuation.

5.      Include three spaced periods in the middle of Line D.

6.      When finished, double-check for concreteness!

Line A. _______
Line B. _______ , _______
Line C. _______ , _______ , _______
Line D. _______ , _______ . . . _______ , _______
Line E. _______ , _______ , _______
Line F. _______ , _______
Line G. _______