Acrostics

An acrostic is a special kind of poem. The first letter of each line spells out a secret word. If you read just those letters from top to bottom, you will see the hidden word. Acrostics are fun to write and read.

How to Write One

To write an acrostic, first pick a word like your name. Write the letters down the side of the page. Then write a line that starts with each letter. The lines should all be about the word you chose. When you are done, you have a cool poem with a hidden message.

Old Acrostics

Acrostics have been around for a very long time. People in ancient Greece wrote them. They were also used in the Bible in the Book of Psalms. Some writers hid their names inside their poems using acrostics. It was like a fun puzzle for readers to find.

Fun Facts

• The word acrostic comes from Greek words meaning 'outer edge of a verse'.
• Some acrostics spell words down the middle or end of lines, not just the start.
• Lewis Carroll, who wrote Alice in Wonderland, made acrostic poems.

Did You Know?

Some people hide secret messages in acrostics. One famous acrostic poem in history spelled out a love message to a special person.