Abecedarian writing is that in which every line or sentence starts with the next letter of the alphabet. You can start writing at any place in the alphabet, just as long as the next line or sentence is in succession.
For example, “A fox tried to eat my chickens. But I managed to scare it away. Chickens clucked my triumph” is an example of the first three lines of a story written in abecedarian format. The letters A, B, and C are represented, and would continue with D, etc.
Usually, abecedarian formats include poems, flash fiction, and essays.
You can start with any letter, as long as the start of the next sentence or line begins with the next. In fact, you can also work the alphabet backward if you want a greater writing challenge.
Abecedarian stories and poems are often shorter, using all 26 letters of the alphabet. However, you can write longer pieces should you wish by continuously recycling the alphabet as a whole.
Why Write an Abecedarian?
Practicing with abecedarian writing can come with a few benefits, especially if you work to master the form. It will help you learn new ways to structure sentences, expand your vocabulary, and help you think outside the box for conveying ideas and dialogue.
Expanding your vocabulary is arguably one of the primary reasons to practice abecedaria. That’s because you’ll need to express ideas outside of the basic word choices so many writers tend to make and dig through a thesaurus. This is especially true when it comes to X and Z words.
For instance, I once used the word “xanthic” to describe the yellowing of dead flesh in a dark western story.
Try writing an abecedarian poem or story for yourself. It may take a bit longer, but you’ll discover all kinds of ways to structure and convey your ideas without relying on common words such as “the.”
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