Here are some key characteristics of ballads:
* Narrative Focus: Ballad's primary purpose is to tell a story. They often feature a clear plot and characters.
* Simple Language: The language is typically straightforward and easy to understand, often using common vocabulary and a conversational tone.
* Repetition: Repetition is often employed in ballads, especially in the form of refrains, which repeat at the end of each stanza or verse.
* Traditional Themes: Common themes in ballads include love, loss, adventure, war, and the supernatural.
* Folk Origins: Many ballads originated in the oral tradition and were passed down through generations before being written down.
While ballads often have a musical element, they can also be enjoyed as purely literary works. Some famous examples of ballads include:
* "The Ballad of the Green Berets" by Robin Moore
* "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" by Oscar Wilde
* "The Ballad of Mulan" (a Chinese folktale)
* "Barbara Allen" (a traditional English ballad)
Overall, the defining element of a ballad is its focus on telling a story in a simple, engaging, and often musical way.