Ballad - GCSE English Language Definition

A ballad is a type of poem or song that tells a story, often about love, adventure, or tragedy. Ballads are usually written in short verses and have a regular rhythm and rhyme scheme, making them easy to remember and recite. They often use simple language and may include repetition to emphasise important parts of the story.

Traditional ballads were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down. In GCSE English Literature, it is important to understand that ballads often focus on dramatic events and are meant to create strong emotions in the audience.

Example of a ballad from a GCSE text

In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, which is studied for some GCSE English Literature courses, the poem is written as a ballad. It tells the story of a sailor who faces punishment after harming a harmless albatross.

The poem uses ballad features like a regular rhythm, rhyme, and repetition to create a powerful and memorable tale. For example, the lines:
"Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink."
show how repetition is used for effect, typical of a ballad.