What are the characteristics of poems about telling stories?

One characteristic is a clear narrative arc. Just like in a story, there is a beginning, middle, and end. For example, in 'The Three Little Pigs', the start is the pigs building their houses, the middle is the wolf trying to blow them down, and the end is the safe pig in his brick house. Another is the use of characters. Poems might have heroes, villains, or ordinary people. They are described through words to bring the story to life.

They often have a strong emotional core. For example, they can be filled with love, like in a poem about a mother's love for her children. They also tend to be relatable as most people have family experiences. And they usually show the relationships between family members, whether it's the closeness or the conflicts.

They often have a gloomy or dark setting. For example, like in 'The Raven', the setting is a dreary chamber at midnight, which immediately sets a spooky mood. Another characteristic is the use of the supernatural. Poems might include ghosts, demons, or other otherworldly elements like in 'Annabel Lee' where the idea of love beyond the grave has a supernatural tinge. They also usually have a sense of unease or foreboding. The reader should feel a bit on edge while reading the poem.

Typically, they often have a gloomy and dark mood. For example, in 'The Raven', the setting is a lonely chamber at midnight, which sets a spooky tone. Another characteristic is the use of disturbing imagery. Like in 'The Conqueror Worm', the image of the worm devouring the mimes is very disquieting. They may also involve themes of death, madness, and the supernatural.

They usually have a clear plot structure. A book like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' has a beginning where the setting and characters are introduced, a middle with rising action such as the trial, and an end that resolves the main conflicts. This structure keeps the reader engaged.

Yes, 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer. Although it's more of a collection of tales within a frame story. Chaucer uses different characters to tell their own stories during a pilgrimage. Each story gives insights into different aspects of medieval life, society, and human nature.

A good storytelling poem often uses rhythm and rhyme effectively. Rhythm can create a sense of movement and pacing in the story. In 'Paul Revere's Ride', the rhythm gives a feeling of urgency, which matches the story of Paul Revere's important mission. Rhyme can also make the poem more memorable and add to the overall aesthetic appeal.

Poems that tell stories often have a clear narrative arc. They start with a situation or character, something happens in the middle like a conflict or change, and then there's usually a resolution at the end. For example, in 'The Highwayman', we start with the introduction of the highwayman and Bess, then there's the conflict when the soldiers come, and finally the tragic resolution. Another characteristic is vivid imagery. In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', Coleridge uses amazing imagery to describe the sea, the albatross, and the strange events on the ship. Also, these poems may use dialogue. In 'Paul Revere's Ride', Longfellow uses dialogue to make the story more engaging.

They often have heroic figures. For example, in 'The Odyssey', Odysseus is a hero with extraordinary intelligence and courage. His journey back home is filled with larger - than - life challenges like facing the Cyclops. Another characteristic is the use of grand language. Poets use rich vocabulary and complex sentence structures to convey the magnitude of the story.

Many poems about the Christmas story often have a sense of wonder and joy. They might describe the star that led the wise men in the story of Jesus' birth, for example. The language is usually quite vivid to create a magical atmosphere.