DIFFERENT FORMS OF POETRY AND TYPES OF POETRY

Ballad: The word, ballad is derived from a Latin word “ballare” meaning “to dance”. It comprises words which are out of current use. The poem derived from village festivals and are not often written but handed down orally from generation to generation. The themes are based on popular stories or legends and great village heroes. We have two(2) types of ballad and they are (1) Traditional ballad: Which exists mainly if stories told by word of mouth (II) Literacy ballad: Which is a written type e.g. “The rhyme of the Ancient Mariner” written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Elegy/ Dirge: This developed from Greek word “elegos” meaning, a lament, a song of mourning, a sorrowful event like the death of a bossom friend. E.g. “Lycida” by Milton or “In memoriam” by Tennyson. Elegy or dirge may also bbe an expression of regret for the past or pessimistic fears for the future, or a solemn meditation on humanity like “Elegy written in a Country Church yard” by Thomas Gray.
Didantic Poem: This is a type of poem that conveys an instruction or points out or teaches a moral. A well knowndidantic poem is Alexander Pope’s “Essay an Nlan”
Epic: An epic derived from a Greek Word “Epos” meaning, a word, is a long poem narrating the heroic deeds of a people, or great men; the epic normally has a hero who is an epitome of flame, nobility and strength of character. E.g “milton’s “paradise Lost”, Homer’s Odyssey” or “Wole Soyinka’s” idaure”.
Narrative Poem: This is a long poem, that tells a story, examples are “the Myth of the Bagre”
Ode: An ode is a poem written or spoken in the form of an address to somebody or something. Usually used to mark a special occasion. An Odist, that is the writer of odes, is usually nostalgis and he/she thinks of or wants something that is either far away or are gone. E.g Wordsworth’s “Ode to Duty” Coffin’s “Ode to Evening” and shally’s ode to the West Wind”
Chant: Is mosly a religion song or a prayer. It is a way of singing using only oew notes that are repeated many times. e.gciregorian chant is a type of church music for voices alone and it is being used since the middle ages
Incantation: Are special words or sacred words that are spoken or sung to have a magic effect and the act of speaking or singing these words – Ogun incantation
Recitation: Is an act of singing a creative literary piece (poetry) that you have learned to an audience. It is mostly oral and unwritten.