What are the characteristics of a poem that tells a story in verse?

One characteristic is a clear narrative arc. It has a beginning, middle, and end like a story. For example, in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', it starts with the mariner's journey, then the events on the ship, and finally his return and the lessons learned. Another characteristic is the use of vivid descriptions. Through verse, it can paint pictures in the reader's mind, like describing a spooky forest or a bustling marketplace in the story. Also, it often has characters. Just as in regular stories, these poems have people or creatures that drive the plot forward, such as the hero in an epic poem who battles monsters.

A verse that tells a story often has a clear narrative arc. It has a beginning, middle, and end. For example, in a ballad, it might start by introducing the characters and the setting, like 'There was a young lad in a far - off land'. Then in the middle, there's a problem or conflict, such as 'He faced a dragon fierce and grand'. And at the end, there's a resolution, perhaps 'With his sword he slew the beast and saved the land'.

A great example of a poem in verse that tells a story is 'The Odyssey' by Homer. It details the long journey of Odysseus as he tries to return home after the Trojan War. He faces many challenges such as the Cyclops, the Sirens, and the wrath of the gods. Another is Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven', which tells a rather dark and mysterious story of a man visited by a raven that keeps repeating 'Nevermore' as he laments the loss of his love, Lenore.

First, decide on your story. It could be something from your own experience, a historical event, or a fictional idea. Then, choose a rhyme scheme if you want to use rhyme. For example, a simple ABAB rhyme scheme can work well. Start writing the verses, making sure each verse moves the story forward. Describe the characters, the setting, and the actions clearly. For instance, if your story is about a journey, describe the scenery along the way and the feelings of the traveler.

A poem that tells a story often has a clear plot. Just like in a prose story, there is a beginning, middle, and end. For example, in 'The Tortoise and the Hare' fable - like poem, it starts with the hare's overconfidence, then the race in the middle, and finally the tortoise winning at the end. Another characteristic is the use of characters. There are identifiable entities in the poem that drive the story forward, like the mariner in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'.

One characteristic is a clear narrative arc. Just like in a story, there's a beginning, middle, and end. For example, in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Coleridge, it starts with the mariner setting sail, then there are the events of him shooting the albatross and the subsequent misfortunes, and finally his redemption. Another characteristic is characters. Poems that tell stories often have well - defined characters, even if they are not fully fleshed out like in a novel. Also, there's usually a setting which helps to create the mood. In 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' by Tennyson, the setting of the battlefield is vividly described.

A poem that tells a story typically has a sequence of events. It might employ rhyme or free verse to make the story more engaging. The poet might focus on emotions and conflicts to make the story relatable and compelling.

An example is 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe. It tells the story of a man who is visited by a raven while he is mourning the loss of his love. The poem is full of mystery and the verses gradually reveal more about the man's state of mind and the strange presence of the raven. The use of repetition and rhyme adds to the overall atmosphere of the story.

A narrative poem that tells a story usually has a clear sequence of events. This helps the reader or listener to follow the story easily. It might use vivid descriptions to bring the story to life. For instance, it could describe the scenery in great detail, like the stormy seas in a poem about a shipwreck. It also often has a theme. The theme could be about love, like in some medieval narrative poems where knights go on quests for love, or it could be about heroism as seen in many epic narrative poems. And it can use different literary devices such as rhyme and meter not just for aesthetic purposes but also to enhance the storytelling. For example, a regular rhyme scheme can make the poem more memorable and thus help in the transmission of the story.

One characteristic is the use of vivid imagery. In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Coleridge, the descriptions of the sea and the strange events on the ship are so vivid that it makes the story come alive. Another is the ability to span a long period of time or cover a large geographical area. 'The Divine Comedy' by Dante takes the reader through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, which is an enormous spiritual and geographical journey.