Download Ballad Project

Ballad Project
Remember that a ballad is a story told in verse. In this project students will choose a historical character or
event as the subject of their ballad. The event or character must have occurred or been at its peak of importance at
least 50 years ago. (Exception: Because of the significance of events from September 11 and the abundance of
materials printed about the event, students may choose some aspect of the tragedy as the topic of this project.)
Students will use the ballad stanza form (see below). A refrain may be included but is not required. The final
product is to have 16 lines (not including the refrain). It must be written in cursive, black or blue ink, or typed.
This project is worth a test grade. Illustrations are encouraged, but not required. A “Works Cited” page
with two sources (not more than one can be an encyclopedia) is required. Students will be required to turn in their
notes with this project. Students will be graded on neatness, originality, creativity, and accuracy. Project is due
Friday, December 14.
Ballad Stanza Format
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Must have stanzas containing four lines each
Use either abcb rhyme scheme or
Use aabb rhyme scheme
Keep a consistent rhythm pattern throughout
Incorporate figures of speech in your ballad:
2 similes (required)
2 uses of personification (required)
2 uses of any of the other figures of speech we’ve covered in class
Hint: for those who have difficulty coming up with a consistent rhythm try putting your poem to the music of a
familiar song like the Theme to Gilligan’s Island or the Theme to the Beverly Hillbillies, or Oh My Darlin’
Requirement Checklist
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Is my ballad written in black or blue ink or typed?
If I hand wrote my ballad, did I use cursive?
Does my ballad contain a minimum of 16 lines not including the refrain
Did I use the abcb or aabb rhyme scheme?
Did I use a consistent rhythm pattern throughout?
Does each stanza contain four lines?
Did I use 2 similes?
Did I use 2 examples of personification?
Did I use 2 examples of the other figures of speech we used in class?
Did I include the notes I took from my sources with my final copy?
Did I include a Works Cited page in my final project?