Riddle

Riddle poems provide clues using metaphors, similes, and other descriptive language to help the listener figure out what the poem is about.

Structure

Start with the answer in mind. Writing about a concrete topic, like a person or place or thing, is easier than writing about something abstract, like a feeling or emotion.

Figure out how difficult you want your riddle too be. Items that are too specific—like Ms. Shortley’s brown dog, Otis—will likely be too hard for people to figure out. General answers, such as dogs, are better, and you can still make your riddle challenging for readers to figure out.

Brainstorm a list of words and concepts related to your answer. So, for dogs, some things might be: leashes, walks, fur, soft, loyal. Don’t forget to use all your senses. Then think about antonyms, or opposites, to your answer. For dogs, that might be, cat, mean, sedentary. If you’re stuck, you can use a thesaurus to come up with more options.

Think like the object and try to describe things from its point of view. What might a dog see, smell, feel, touch, taste?

Now, using what you’ve come up with so far, use figurative language like metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia to describe your object or things related to it.

Take the things you like best from your notes and write your riddle! Remember to use contrasts. You can be tricky, but keep things true. You can write things in pairs.

Example

Example of a what am I riddle poem using contrasting pairs about dogs:

I have four leg, but I’m not a table

I have a tail, but I’m not a cow

I like to run, but I’m not a cheetah

I’m a common pet, but I’m not a cat

I have a bark, but I’m not a tree

What am I?

(Source.)

Examples of rhyming "what am I" riddles:

I'd neither a guest nor a trespasser be

In this place I belong that belongs also to me.

What am I?

Echoes from a shadow realm

Whispers of things yet to come

Thought's strange sister dwells in night,

Is swept away by morning light.

What am I?

(Source.)