Stage OneStage One

Remind yourself of the ‘ingredients’ neededRemind yourself of the ‘ingredients’ neededin writing a ballad:in writing a ballad:

• Tells a tragic storyTells a tragic story• 4 line stanzas4 line stanzas• Rhyme scheme: abcbRhyme scheme: abcb• Regular, strong rhythmRegular, strong rhythm• Longer first and third line (6,5,6,5 or 7,6,7,6 Longer first and third line (6,5,6,5 or 7,6,7,6

syllables)syllables)• May use dialogue and questionsMay use dialogue and questions• May end with a moral or address the readerMay end with a moral or address the reader

Stage TwoStage Two

• Pick a recent or past news story upon Pick a recent or past news story upon which to base your ballad.which to base your ballad.

• Find as much information as you can Find as much information as you can about the story.about the story.

• Brainstorm which details that you Brainstorm which details that you might want to include.might want to include.

Stage ThreeStage Three

• Now, think of some techniques that Now, think of some techniques that you could use in your ballad - try to you could use in your ballad - try to use the following in your ballad:use the following in your ballad:

similesimilemetaphormetaphor

personificationpersonificationalliterationalliteration

onomatopoeiaonomatopoeia

Stage FourStage FourNow plan what you will describe in each stanza of Now plan what you will describe in each stanza of your ballad. your ballad.

• How will you set the scene in your first How will you set the scene in your first stanza?stanza?

• What will you describe in your second What will you describe in your second stanza? Etc.stanza? Etc.

• Which characters will speak?Which characters will speak?• What dialogue will you use?What dialogue will you use?• Finally will it have a moral at the end? Finally will it have a moral at the end?

What will it be?What will it be?

Now…Now…

• Start drafting.Start drafting.

• Remember to write in pencil… you will need Remember to write in pencil… you will need to change and edit your work as you go.to change and edit your work as you go.

• Remember you should be using a ‘abcb’ Remember you should be using a ‘abcb’ rhyme scheme and a regular, strong rhythmrhyme scheme and a regular, strong rhythm

• Ask people to read your draft and make Ask people to read your draft and make suggestions for improvements.suggestions for improvements.

• Then write your final version.Then write your final version.