Cinquains are composed of 5 lines and are a great tool for familiarizing pupils with parts of speech. Here are the rules:

Line 1: One noun.
Line 2: Two adjectives describing the noun.
Line 3: Three doing words or verbs ending in “–ing” describing the noun.
Line 4: One sentence or phrase reflecting how the writer feels about the noun.
Line 5: One new adjective or synonym for Line 1 that sums it all up.

Here’s an example by C.Alfonzetti:
Violin
Brown, shapely
Singing, shrieking, sobbing
A moody music maker
Fiddle

A variation is the “Bio cinquain with a twist” in which pupils write about themselves, using their first name as Line 1 and expand the adjectives in Line 2 into similes. In all cases, the aim should be to make Line 4 as thoughtful, creative, clever or playful as possible. It could even rhyme with one of the other lines, or use an image or word sound such as alliteration. 

Examples—

Linda
Brown as cinnamon, bubbly as a glass of champagne
Reading, writing, dancing
A bookworm prancing in the ocean
Poet
—©LMDeane (2011)

J’Kobi
Light brown as the earth
Running, footballing, singing
When I am running, I feel like a speeding bullet.
Shy
— J’Kobi Parris, Class 4, Workman’s Primary (2012)

WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW
Create a cinquain for the noun “CLOCK.”

TEACHER’S TIPS 
• This is a cool group-writing activity and a great way to spark class discussion about the meaning and power of words. When pupils are coming up with ideas for words for each lines 2-5, encourage them to suggest more than the required number and then discuss their choices, edit and discard until they feel they have the strongest word(s) and phrases. Encourage them to think freely but also to be respectful of other pupils’ suggestions and ideas. Group cinquain sessions can become a little noisy!
• Have pupils create mixed-media self-portraits to accompany their bio cinquains and display them as word-art exhibits in the classroom.