Diamante’s poetry is a fun way to explore opposition, relationships and contrast in a simple structured form. With just seven lines, these diamond-shaped poems pair unique ideas with creative ways.
Here we will explain the steps to create Diamante poems, share examples of inspiration, and provide a free, printable template that inspires students’ creativity.
Additionally, you will receive a free printable bundle with 5 worksheets to use for all Diamante poems below by filling out the form on this page.
Diamante’s poem explained
Diamante’s poem is a seven-line poem that takes the form of a diamond. The word diamond comes from the Italian word “diamante,” which reflects the shape of the poem. Designed to explore contrast, relationships, or opposition using a concise and powerful language, it makes a great tool for students to practice descriptive writing.
Diamantes doesn’t have to rhyme. There are also two types of synonyms: Diamantes (when the first and end nouns are similar) and anti-Antony Diamantes (when the first and end nouns are opposite).
Diamante’s Poetry Rules
A total of 7 rows. There is one word (noun) in the first and seventh lines. There are two words (adjectives) in the second and sixth lines. There are three words in the 3rd and 5th lines (verbs end with -ing). There are four words in the fourth line (as this is a transition line, the first two words are related to the first line and the second two words are related to the seventh line).
This structure is visually appealing and educational, enhancing students’ understanding of synonyms and antonyms in creative ways.
How to write a poem by Diamante
With these simple steps, you will be engaged in writing Diamante poems that will catch your eyes on children.
Step 1 – Select the opposite two or related nouns
Select two nouns, either opposite or related. For example, for the antonym Diamante, “sun” and “moon” or “dog” and “cat” are great choices. In the case of the synonym Diamante, the work of “flower” and “tulips” or “puddles” and “sea.” These two nouns become the focus of the poem and help to emphasize their relationship.
Step 2 – Brainstorm related words
Brainstorms adjectives, verbs, and phrases related to the two selected nouns. Create a list of words that describe nouns and focus on the quality, behavior, and emotions they evoke. This helps establish a strong foundation for writing poetry.
Step 3 – Follow the Diamante structure
Diamante’s poem follows a particular structure, with a number of words used to describe two opposing or related nouns. This simple structure will guide you in creating Diamante’s poems.
Line 1: Noun (Subject 1) Line 2: Two adjectives describing line 1 Line 3: Three action verbs related to line 1: Related to line 4 -ing: Four nouns (this is a transition line. Therefore, the first two words are related to subject 1 and the second two words are related to subject 2 in 7).
Step 4 – Write a poem
Start writing Diamante poems using the structure of step 3 and the brainstorming words from step 2. The focus is on creating a smooth flow from the first to the seventh line. Think about how the word transitions between the first and second subjects.
Step 5 – Add the final touch
Once the poem is written, review it. Is there a more powerful word choice that can enhance the poem? Do you emphasize the relationship or contrast between two nouns? Make adjustments to improve flow, interval and word selection for a more impactful final piece.
Diamante poem examples and templates
These examples help students visualize what they create while inspiring creativity. They show how to accurately connect or contrast two words, making this an attractive activity for elementary, middle and high school students.
Blank Diamante Poetry Template, Version 1
Use this template to assess students’ understanding of the structure of Diamante’s poems. Students can fill the lines while experimenting with a variety of nouns, adjectives and verbs.
Blank Diamante Poetry Template, Version 2
With the diamond boundaries, this template helps students visualize the structure of Diamante’s poems. Use it to evaluate their understanding and experiment with different words to create poems, while filling the lines with nouns, adjectives and verbs.
Audio Part of Diamante Poem Template
This template is a great complement to studying the part of your speech. Students encourage careful selection of nouns, adjectives and verbs. Students can use it to enhance their understanding of how different parts of their speech work together to create meaning in the poem.
Synonym Diamante Poetry Template
This template will help students explore ways to use similar words creatively. It encourages students to think about the nuances of synonyms and how to convey similar meanings in different languages.
Opposition Diamante poetry template
This template allows students to practice using the opposite words to create contrasts in Diamante’s poems. It helps students explore the power of opposition and understand how contrasting ideas can be effectively expressed through poetry.
Free printable Diamante poetry template
Need help getting started? Download free templates to guide your students to create diamond-shaped poems. Click the button below to get a free printable bundle with worksheets to suit all five poem examples above.
