SYLLABICSCreative Writing I

How to count syllables1. Count each vowel in a word. Vowels include the letters a, e, i, o, u and

sometimes y.2. Subtract one from your total number of vowels for silent vowels such

as the "e" in the word "move."3. Subtract one from your total number of vowels for double vowels that

have one sound, such as the double a in the name "Aaron." Another example is the double o letters in the word "pool." Only count one syllable for the two vowels together.

4. Subtract one from your number of vowels for each diphthong, a combination of vowels that make one sound. For instance, in the word "out" there are two vowels working together to make one sound. Therefore, subtract one from the total number of vowels in this word.

5. Equate your final answer with the number of syllables in the word. For example, in the word "astronaut" there are four vowels - a, o, a and u. The vowels a and u together are a diphthong, so you would subtract 1 from 4 to get a total of 3 syllables for this word.

Haiku1. Each Haiku must contain a kigo, a season word.2. Is written in present tense.3. Consists of three lines4. Lines have 5-7-5 syllable counts5. Does NOT have a narrative (tell a story)6. Poem creates imaginative distance between

two sections, but the two sections must remain, to a degree, independent of each other. Each enriches the understanding of the other. To make this work in English, either the first or the second line ends with a colon, long dash or ellipsis, separating the pieces.

Some Haikus:Fall

I am nobody:A red sinking autumn sunTook my name away.

Winter

Over the wintryForest, winds howl in rageWith no leaves to blow.- Soseki

Spring

Pink blossoms on treesBare branches sprouts of hope formBrown, turning to green.

Summer

In the cicada's cryNo sign can foretellHow soon it must die.Basho

Your Haiku:1. Select a season and list words/images that remind you

of it2. Organize into three lines:

• Set the scene first• Express an emotion, make an observation, or

record an actionTips• Express a single mood or emotion in your haiku. Think

about a common experience or sight in a new and different way.

• Some writers incorporate a pause into the poem, indicated by the use of a colon, semicolon, hyphen or ellipses. This helps to focus attention on the insight your poem presents.

• The classic haiku theme is nature and many traditional Japanese haiku contain seasonal words and images like falling snow, twinkling fireflies, an emerging crocus or leaves blowing in the wind.

Senryu

1. Consists of three lines2. Is 17 syllables or less3. Focuses on humanity and the human

experience (with humorous or satiric view)4. Is written in present tense5. First line establishes a central situation or

symbol6. The other two lines create an action

Some Senryus:Catching himyou see the robberis your son. Senryu Karai

combing my hair—the face in the mirroris my mother's by Sharon Peeples

words burst forth (3 syllables) fragile bonds damaged (5 syllables)love undone (3 syllables)- written by Janilou

A welcoming porch.What a lovely place to shareYour outlook on life.

Your Senryu:1. Think of an experience2. Begin by setting the scene3. Finish with an action or observation 4. Edit to make EVERY syllable count!!!

Tips• While personal experience can inspire a senryu, you

should expand your meaning to make an observation about humanity in general.

• You can use nature imagery but only as a symbol of a darker message, not as the centerpiece of the poem as in a haiku.

• Don't use senryu as rants against humanity. Instead, shine a light into human nature.

WRITING A TANKA1.Focus is on a special event or

occasion (with strong mood)2.There are five lines3.Lines have 5-7-5-7-7 syllable

counts4.Can be multiple stanzas5.Tankas, unlike haiku and senryu

use simile, metaphor and personification when applicable

Tanka Examples

This cold winter nightthe snow clings to the tree boughsin the pale moonlightthe kisses of your soft lipswarm this aching heart of mine

hazy autumn moonthe sound of chestnuts droppingfrom an empty skyI gather your belongingsinto boxes for the poor

Margaret Chula

Your Tanka – Rite of Passage

• Rites of passage are activities that change us from child to adult, single to family, etc. common to a society– What rites of passage do we recognize?

• You are writing a two stanza tanka that recognizes the before and after of the activity– Stanza 1: Who approaches the task and what it is– Stanza 2: Who leaves the task and what makes them a

new person• Should have at least one form of figurative

language in each section

Lanterns&Cinquains

• A noun (1 syllable)1• Describe the noun (2 syllables)2• Describe the noun (3 syllables)3• Develop the noun in action (4

syllables)4• Synonym for the noun chosen (1

syllable)5

Writing a Lantern

Lantern ExamplesBedGentleSoft PillowsSleep, jump, play, loveRest.

BellsTolling

On the windOld memories

Die

Onomatopoeia

A word that emits the sound it describes.

Write a tanka that connects two of our list of words.

CINQUAIN

Hannah HannahBubbly, joyful Dancing, smiling, singingShares love with allMy girl

Star (not quite right with one syllable) StarHot, radiantShining, burning, explodingIt gives life to everythingSun

CINQUAIN

Line 1: Their name (2 syllables)Line 2: Describe them (4 syllables)Line 3: Action of the person (-ing verbs) – (6 syllables)Line 4: A phrase that expresses your feelings/ observations about them (8 syllables)Line 5: A nickname or epithet for the person (2 syllables)

Think of a person… their name will be the title.

List things you know about them and adjectives to describe them