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How to write a Ballad Poetry Style 3
Definition • BALLAD: A narrative poem which is, or originally was, meant to be sung. Ballads are the narrative species of folk songs, which originate, and are communicated orally. The narrator begins with the climactic episode, tells the story by means of action and dialogue, and tells it without self-reference or the expression of personal attitudes or feelings.
1 • Familiarize yourself with different types of ballads. Traditional Balladscan be funny, tragic, or even satirical, often tackling themes like love, work, and death. Like newspapers, they are impersonal in tone – regardless of how sensational the story is. These are often told from a first-person perspective, have stereotypical characters, and aren’t very objective.
2 • Think of a story. Ballads tell stories by definition, usually following a clear, linear storyline: they rely on plotted action (an unsettled situation, a climax, and a resolution) to build suspense.[1] Since many tell (or retell) traditional stories that have been circulating for generations, you can also adapt a well-known tale to ballad form if you don’t wish to write one from complete scratch.
3 • Single out the most important elements of the plot. Ballad use a narrative style known as “leaping and lingering” – that is, skipping over non-essential plot points so that more time can be spent on the interesting moments.[1] To mimic this style, cut any unnecessary back story, plot connections, or secondary details that distract from the plot of the story you’ve chosen.
4 • Find a starter phrase. The opening line of a project is often the hardest the hardest to write, but luckily for you, ballads often open with stock phrases such as the come-ye-all salutation.[1] (Ex. “Come all ye maidens,” “Come all ye comrades,” etc.) Feel free to borrow this phrase to get your story going (and make your ballad more authentic to boot). Otherwise, focus on introducing the reader to the story without getting ahead of the plot.
5 • Write the first verse to establish a rhythm and rhyme scheme. Ballads typically have four-line verses, much like poems, of which two or more rhyme. The easiest way to get started with this is to complete the verse or chorus that contains your starter phrase, then use it as the basis for rest of the lines in the verse (ex. keeping the total number of syllables, rhythm of the stressed syllables, end rhymes, etc. consistent). • Common rhyme schemes include: A,A,B,B; A,B,A,B; and A,B,C,B. (A rhymes with A, B rhymes with B, and so forth). • Some ballads can have the chorus built into each verse. In these cases, the rhyme scheme is often ABAC, where the two-line chorus occupies the second and fourth lines (B and C) of each verse.
6 • Write the chorus. Once again, the chorus is very flexible in ballad form. It can be one line that is repeated in every verse, two lines that are repeated every few verses, an entire verse, or even two verses back-to-back. Additionally, you can repeat the chorus verbatim or change it slightly each time for dramatic effect.
Tips • It's okay to write a ballad without music. A ballad is a form of lyrical poetry, which means simply that it can be sung. It doesn't have to be sung. • If you sing or hum as you go, sometimes the words will just flow. • Don't be afraid to choose creative, unusual, or imperfect rhymes. If you try to force all your rhymes to be technically perfect, your song's lyrics may end up sounding silly. • If you know the story you want to tell but are having trouble putting it into a poetic structure, just write the story first without worrying about any technical details. You may find it easier to convert it to ballad form once it’s written plainly. • Reading ballads by other writers can help a lot. You can learn what works and what doesn't, or it inspire you for a theme or idea.
He challenged the captainto a sword's duel.The winner the maiden'sloving would rule. Ah, but the captainwith the sword was a man!With one sweeping slashknocked the sword from his hand. McHagerty's hope was thoroughly gone.The captain ordered himmurdered at dawn. The night passed quite quickly.The sun cast its rays.Yes, Thomas McHagertywould die today. Example The Last RequestThe ship was asail.The cool air was clean.McHagerty looked at his true loveand beamed.She looked to his eyesand she suddenly knewthat her love for himwas forever through. She gazed at the captain,out, steering above.It was only for himthat her heart gave out love. When Mc Hagerty noticedher look, he felt pain."I must get herloving me well once again!"
"Do I have one requestbefore I die?"He looked at the captainwho then said, "Aye." He lifted his handto wave goodbye,and slugged his true lovein the eye.
