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Alpha Poem Technique

Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 5-15 minutes | Best for: Creative expression, breaking through writer's block

Overview

On first appearance the AlphaPoem may seem contrived and silly. However, journal therapists have found this technique to be fun and surprisingly powerful for all kinds of journal writers. The idea is to write a poem based on a word or phrase, using each letter of the chosen word or phrase consecutively to start the next line of the poem.

This playful approach bypasses your inner critic and often reveals surprising insights. The structured format provides a creative framework that makes writing feel less intimidating while encouraging authentic self-expression.

When to Use

• When you feel stuck or blocked in your writing
• To explore a specific topic, emotion, or challenge in a creative way
• When you want to add playfulness to your journaling practice
• To gain fresh perspective on familiar situations
• When traditional writing feels too serious or overwhelming

How To

1. Choose a meaningful word or short phrase (your name, an emotion, a goal, a challenge)

2. Write the word vertically, one letter per line:

Example:

A
L
P
H
A
P
O
E
M

3. For each letter, write a line that starts with that letter, letting your thoughts flow naturally

4. Don't worry about making it "good poetry" - focus on authentic expression

5. Read your completed Alpha Poem aloud to hear what emerged

Examples

Using the word "GROWTH":

Gradually I'm learning to trust myself
Releasing old patterns that no longer serve
Opening to possibilities I couldn't see before
Wondering what I'm truly capable of
Taking small brave steps forward
Honoring how far I've already come

Using your own name or an emotion like "FEAR" or "JOY" often yields powerful results.

Next Steps

• Try using different types of words: emotions (ANGER, LOVE), goals (SUCCESS, PEACE), or challenges (STRESS, CHANGE)
• Experiment with longer phrases or your full name
• Create multiple Alpha Poems on the same topic to deepen exploration
• Combine with other techniques by using insights from your poem as starting points

Related Techniques

• List Technique: Great for brainstorming meaningful words to use as your Alpha Poem foundation
• Inner Voice Technique: Use to identify which words or topics are calling for exploration
• Five-Minute Sprint Technique: Follow up your Alpha Poem with free-writing about what surprised you