Sijos are three-lined poems believed to have been developed in Korea in the fourteenth-century as short songs with musical accompaniment. They tended to focus on nature and contemplation. Teaching students how to write Sijos could be a useful activity to develop descriptive language and the short form of the poem makes it a great option for students who find writing difficult.
Each line in a Sijo consists of between 14 to 16 syllables with a total of between 44 to 46 syllables in the whole poem. The first line sets the theme of the poem, the second line introduces more detail or another perspective and the final line contains a twist or counter-theme.
How to Write a Sijo:
- Think of a story or a theme.
- In the first line introduce your story. Think of interesting adjectives to describe your idea. Try to think of words or phrases which follow this syllable pattern 3-4-4-4.
Milk chocolate, covering weird, interesting, unusual shapes. - In the second line provide more detail. Perhaps using verbs and adverbs to add action. Try to think of words or phrases which follow this syllable pattern 3-4-4-4.
Saliva, coating my mouth, awaiting a, sugary treat. - In the last line you need to find a way to surprise the reader with an unexpected ending or observation. The first word or phrase in this line must be 3 syllables. Try to think of words or phrases which follow this syllable pattern 3-5-4-3.
Disgusting, crunching snapping bones, chocolate covered grasshoppers! - Try to be very specific and to convey emotion in your poem.
- Read your poem aloud. If it is not easy to read or doesn’t flow nicely, trying different words or phrases.
- The words you choose matter!
Examples
The spring breeze melted snow on the hills then quickly disappeared.
I wish I could borrow it briefly to blow over my hair
And melt away the aging frost forming now about my ears. U. Tak (1262–1342)
Through the glass, filtered sunlight danced across the floor, radiating joy.
A small glimpse of life outside where warmth and love reside together.
Not for me, entombed in a cell, punishment for crimes committed.
Tap Dancing on the Roof by Linda Park contains a small collection of Sijo poems