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An acrostic is a series of lines of writing or verses of poetry in which certain letters can be read from a word or phrase.

Here is an example of an acrostic in which the first letter of each word creates another word (dogs):

Dependable

Obedient

Good Friends

Smart

An acrostic doesn’t have to use the letters of the first words of a line, however. The letters could be from words in the middle or at the end of lines, as well. The letters of the “hidden message” are typically capitalized (food):

Made Fresh

Healthy Only

Double Order

Tastes Delicious

There are three types of acrostics. An acrostic that uses the initial letters is called a single acrostic (cat):

Curious

Attentive

Tenacious

An acrostic that uses the first and last letters of a line is called a double acrostic (bird song):

Beautiful chirping sounds

I love the audio

Relaxes my brain

Delightful listening

A triple acrostic uses the first letter, last letter, and a middle letter to form words.

The adjective form of acrostic is acrostical, as in The poem was acrostical.

The first records of acrostic come from around 1580. It comes from the Greek word ������Dz��پ�����í��, made from acro– (end or extremity) and stich (a line of poetry). The most common (and easiest) form of acrostic is using the “ends” of lines (first or last letters) to make hidden messages.

An acrostic doesn’t have to be formed from top to bottom, either. Here is an example of this using a double acrostic that forms the same word (bat):

Beats its wings at night

Always prowling the area

Tries to eat its grub

Acrostics are most commonly used in poetry, where it is easy to construct them. Here is an example of an acrostic poem by Edgar Allen Poe (Elizabeth):

Elizabeth it is in vain you say

“Love not”—thou sayest it in so sweet a way:

In vain those words from thee or L. E. L.

Zantippe’s talents had enforced so well:

Ah! if that language from thy heart arise,

Breathe it less gently forth—and veil thine eyes.

Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried

To cure his love—was cured of all beside—

His folly—pride—and passion—for he died.

Acrostics are a very old literary device. They were used as early as the writing of the Hebrew Bible thousands of years ago. Rather than spell words, these acrostics used every letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order.

Some creative people still enjoy the occasional acrostic.

All
Tiny
Objects
Make
Sense

(by Rodney, 9th grade)

— Teachers & Writers (@twc_org)

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• letters
• writing
• verse
• poetry
• puzzle

True or False?

An acrostic uses letters from lines of writing or verse to spell words or phrases.