Ballads typically consist of a series of quatrains, which are verses of four lines with at least two lines that rhyme. An entire quatrain that is repeated within a ballad is known as the chorus or refrain. Usually the word at the end of the second and fourth line of a quatrain rhyme, but a ballad does not necessarily have to adhere to this rhyme scheme. Sometimes, the first line may rhyme with the third line, or the second line may rhyme with the third. Striking or important lines might be repeated in subsequent quatrains.
A good ballad has a consistent plot or theme. It may involve an historic topic or one that is complete fantasy. The mood the ballad conveys might be a sorrowful one, or it may be one that evokes laughter from its listener. Phrases or ideas that pop into your head might be used to inspire a ballad’s different verses. A catchy phrase that is worth repeating once or twice within a ballad might make a good chorus.
Dialogue is often used in ballads to express the emotions of characters within the story’s context. Two people may speak back and forth to one another in alternating quatrains. Even if the ballad only contains one character, he may still speak in the story, though his voice is generally used less often and may occupy only a line or two within a quatrain.
The chorus, or refrain, is especially popular in song ballads. A chorus generally summarizes the plot or theme of the entire story and is recurring. It can act as the basis or inspiration for which all other verses are written. A chorus’ rhyme scheme will usually be the same as that used in the ballad’s verses, but the writer may deviate from the pattern if a more interesting rhyme scheme works within the context of the ballad.