What is an Acrostic Poem? Definition, Examples of Literary Acrostics

Acrostic definition: An acrostic is a type of poem that uses the letters of other words to form a word itself.

What is an Acrostic Poem?

An acrostic is a type poem. When the words in the poem are arranged in a particular format, a new word is created.

The words that make the acrostic poem are written and read horizontally. The new word that the acrostic poem creates is read vertically.

Structures of Acrostic Poems

There are several ways that a writer could choose to structure an acrostic poem. The three most common acrostic examples are with the word order taking place at the beginning, middle, and end of each stanza.

Let’s take a look at an example of each.

Word Order at Beginning of Lines

When a writer chooses the word order at the beginning of the lines of the poem, it means that he will use the first letter of each word to create a new word for the acrostic poem.

The following examples shows the new word “snake” created form the first letters of the acrostic.

Example Acrostic:

Some

Never

Armor

Killing

Each other

As you can see, the first letters of the poem spell out the word “snake.”

Word Order in Middle of Lines

When a writer chooses the word order in the middle of the lines of the poem, it means that he will use a letter within the words to create a new word for the acrostic poem.

The following examples shows the new word “tough” created form the middle letters of the acrostic.

Example Acrostic:

 

 

 

 
Again, you can see the word “tough” spelled out in the poem.

Word Order at End of Line

When a writer chooses the word order at the end of the poem, it means that he will use a letter at the end of the words to create a new word for the acrostic poem.

Here is an example of a double acrostic, where the first and last letter spell out the word Stroud, a town in England.

S et among hills in the midst of five valley S,

T his peaceful little   market town we inhabi T

R efuses (vociferously!) to be a conforme R.

O nce home of the cloth it gave its name t O,

U phill and down again its streets lead yo U.

D espite its faults it leaves us all charme D.

Double acrostic poems are more complicated and difficult than single acrostics, but the above example acrostic illustrates how an ending word order acrostic can work.

The Function and Importance of Acrostics

An acrostic poem is a type of word play. Consequently, the writer creates an acrostic poem in order to be somewhat cheeky or to show some ingenuity.

The new word the acrostic poem creates should be a commentary on the subject itself. That is, the writer selects a particular theme for his poem. Perhaps he chooses the word he wants the acrostic to form first. Then, he writes around that word.

The words and lines that make up the poem should tie into the newly formed word.

Looking at the above “snake” example, the poem itself is a commentary about snakes. What makes it particularly cheeky is the fact that the poet does not reveal whether it is about actual, physical snakes or people being described as snakes.

Additionally, the terms in the “snake” example actually describe what snakes might do.

Acrostic Poem Examples in Literature

Acrostic poems are a great introduction to diction, poetry, and word play. As a result, many young English students begin their poetry writing practice by creating acrostic poems.

Acrostics can be very short (one word per line), or longer and more complex.

Some well-known poets have created more complex acrostics. The following is an example acrostic from Lewis Carroll.

Little maidens, when you look
On this little story-book,
Reading with attentive eye
Its enticing history,
Never think that hours of play
Are your only HOLIDAY,
And that in a HOUSE of joy
Lessons serve but to annoy:
If in any HOUSE you find
Children of a gentle mind,
Each the others pleasing ever–
Each the others vexing never–
Daily work and pastime daily
In their order taking gaily–
Then be very sure that they
Have a life of HOLIDAY.

In this poem, Carroll spells the names of the “little maidens” to whom he is referring. Those names are LORINA, ALICE, and EDITH.

Summary: What Are Acrostic Poems?

Define acrostic poem: the definition of an acrostic poem is a poem or word puzzle in which certain letters in each line for a word or words.

In summary, acrostic poems:

• are a type of lyric poem
• are plays on words
• create a new word using the lines of poetry

The new word that is crated form the acrostic should connect to the theme of the poem itself.