How to Write a Ballad
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How to Write a Ballad
Introduction
Ballads tell a story through song. With a simple rhythm, repeating rhymes and a refrain, they can lull you into a relaxing state like any good song. In fact, many ballads were written for children so their parents could read to them before bed. Ballads are fun to write because you tell a story in everyday language; but it's challenging to keep to the rhyme and rhythm. Read on to learn more.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Steps
1
Step One
Read examples of ballads. Besides being fun, they'll give you a feel for the rhyme and rhythm that's a big part of what makes the poem a ballad. My Song Book (see link in Resources) is a German website, but has an extensive alphabetical list of ballads in English.
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Step Two
Choose a story to tell. It should have lots of action and a straightforward structure with clear conflict, tension buildup and a satisfying resolution.
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Step Three
Decide on a rhyming scheme for your ballad. The second and fourth lines of each stanza have to rhyme, but it's you're choice if you want an "abab" or an "abcb" structure. Use a rhyming dictionary or Rhymezone (see link in Resources) to help you.
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Step Four
Use 6 or 8 syllables for your rhythm scheme. Iambic tetrameter is easier with eight syllables in a "da DUM" rhythm as in "Come LIVE with ME and BE my LOVE" (Marlowe). For a greater challenge, use a six-syllable line like Roethke: "Slid FROM the KITchen SHELF."
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Step Five
Make your ballad a funny story. These poetic forms have a long tradition of bawdy humor from when they were sold in the streets of London. They told of the mischief of Robin Hood and Puck.
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Step Six
Tap into folklore for inspiration. Many ballads from different countries have retold folktales to the delight of both children and adults. Local and ethnic legends and tales make great material and educate people about cultures they're not familiar with.
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Step Seven
Write a love ballad and set it to music. Listen for ballads in present day songs from rock, jazz, country, new age and musicals.
Tips & Warnings
- You're not out to express your emotions as in other types of poems. The emphasis is on the story.
- Write your ballad in the third person unless a character in the story is telling it.
- Don't use long words, complicated similes and metaphors or images that force your reader to perform mental acrobatics.
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