A computer will let you erase and edit more easily, and also let you undo mistakes and save alternate drafts with ease. Pencil and paper makes you slow down and really think about what you’re writing on the page. Studies have also shown that writing by hand strengthens the brain. [1] X Research source
Keep in mind that the word you choose to serve as the first letter of each line will determine the length of your acrostic. Choose a word that corresponds with the length you want to write. If the word you want to write about is too long or too short, consult a thesaurus for synonyms. For example, if “love” is too short, you might try “friendship,” “adoration,” “devotion,” “tenderness,” etc. Remember that you can also use multiple words for your subject if you’d like. This is an easy way to add length.
Keeping an ongoing notebook where you keep track of things you want to write about Making lists of the characteristics of the thing you want to write about. For example: your mother’s personality, her appearance, your favorite memory of her, how her voice sounds, what her perfume smells like, etc. Taking a walk and making notes about what you see in your notebook Taking inspiration from a piece of art. How does your favorite song or painting make you feel? Write about yourself! Who do you know better than yourself?
Usually, the first letter of each line is capitalized, so it’s easier to see the word that’s spelled out. [3] X Research source
You can write end-stopped lines, meaning each line ends with punctuation or at a logical grammatical break. [5] X Research source You can also write enjambed lines, meaning the lines can be broken wherever you need them to be broken, regardless of punctuation or grammar. [6] X Research source
For example, instead of saying you love your mother, you can say you love the way she smells like onions when she’s done cooking dinner.
Make abstract language more concrete. [10] X Research source Abstract language like “hope” and “love” might sound pretty, but it doesn’t say as much as language that we can feel in the body through sensory imagery. Strengthen your word choice. Circle all the words that look like they could be more interesting. Look up synonyms in the thesaurus to make your language pop, but don’t choose a word just because it’s long. Stay on topic. Make sure every line of the poem goes toward saying something about your subject.
