TRIOLET, one of the fixed forms of verse invented in medieval France, and preserved in the practice of many modern literatures. It consists of eight short lines on two rhymes, arranged a b a a a b a b, and in French usually begins on the masculine rhyme. The first line reappears as the fourth line, and the seventh and eighth lines repeat the opening couplet; the first line, therefore, is repeated three times, and hence the name.
(1911 encylopedia - online)
Although originally a serious poetic style, triolets are now generally short, humorous poems. They originated in thirteenth century France and its name comes from the repetition of the key line three times (French "tri") They can also be added together to make much longer poems.
Form
Line 1 and 2 make an observation
1. A
2. B
Line 3 rhymes with line A
Line 4 is line 1 repeated
The first four lines look like this:
1. A
2. B
3. a
4. A
In the second stanza line 5 and 6 involve a twist, change of view, or add another idea.
Line 5 rhymes with line A
Line 6 rhymes with line B
Line 7 repeats line A
Line 8 repeats line B
Finished product
Your poem will look like this. Here is an example of a triolet.
1. A A. The walls are white brick
2. B B. and the door is green
3. a a. For men easy colors to pick
4. A A. The walls are white brick
5. a a. For a woman, a tougher trick
6. b b. With the door an avacado sheen
7. A A. The walls are white brick
8. B B. and the door is green
John
How to write a triolet.
Included in the list
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Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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very good
I am very partial to this form. Your explaination is simple and surely a winner.
thanks,
Talia -
interesting read, ive learned something new today and it doesnt seem all that hard to do (to me at least)
i usually write in free verse but this is interesting,thanks for sharing and well written
peace,
-leon -
This is cool...
Now I will have to take the triolet challenge..
Thanks a lot.
Sam
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Wow, that's interesting. I've heaqrd of the triolet before, but I've never seen how to write one. I'll have to give this a try, though it will be a challenge. Thanks for posting!
=^..^= -
Thanks for posting this very informative piece. I love trying my hand at these structured forms of poetry. I find they can really be challenging to write. I'll have to try my hand at writing a triolet.
~ Lee -
Ah! John ... I would love to write a triolet ... You've inspired me to do one ...
Now I must just whisper the desire in the ear of one of the Nine Daughters of Zeus ... Let us see who is coming up with what 
Thank you sincerely for posting this educational write
Kindest Regards,
Myra -
looks very difficult to do
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Oh Gosh !! Sounds way too complex for a small mind like
mine Andrew
Seriously...thanks for this...might well have a go in the
near future. Watch this space !!!
Interesting...thanks
~ sonia ~ -
Quaint
thanks John, I just learned something new. I had never heard of Triolet poetry, well no wonder, I never studied writing at all. haha. I can see that it could be interesting, however I can't stick to any tight structure, just write whatever I am feeling at the time. Glad to meet you though and thanks for commenting on Helper 10. There are nine others. The cartoons are left over from the 1950s when I was trying to be a cartoonist. That is why they look so yellowed and old. Finding them stored away in a file, I decided to add a ditty and post one to see if anyone commented. The ladies seem attracted to them so I will try to do a few more. I have some other, more serious works on my page. You are welcome to visit anytime.
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