Poetry and prose: understanding and creativity

A ballad is a type of poem that tells a story in short, poetic verses. Ballads combine three elements: narrative (epic), poetic language (lyric) and direct speech or tension (dramatic). Prose is continuous, written language, as in stories, articles and blogs, without deliberate rhyme or rhythmic pattern. Poetry uses rhythm, line breaks, and sometimes rhyme to shape meaning and feeling differently. To turn prose into a ballad, focus on key moments, break sentences into short, rhythmic lines, with or without rhyme.