The poem can be used in two ways, either comparing and contrasting two different subjects, or naming synonyms at the beginning of the poem and then antonyms for the second half for a subject.
In the poems, the subject is named in one word in the first line.
The second line consists of two adjectives describing the subject, and the third line contains three verbs ending in the suffix ing which are related to the subject.
The fifth returns to three verbs, the sixth two adjectives, and the final line a synonym of the subject.
[citation needed] An example of a diamante poem contrasting two subjects - trees and rivers: tree tall, green growing, reaching, shading leaves, branches, water, pebbles flowing, splashing, curving deep, blue river