How can you tell if a poem is a ballad?

Written by

René Ostberg

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 14, 2026 •History

In its simplest definition, a ballad is a poem or song that tells a story. Many ballads were passed down through oral tradition and recount a dramatic event, such as a famous battle, the wreck of a ship, or the tragic death of a child or lover. In the English language, many ballads follow a specific form, but there are variations. Traditionally, a poem or song is a ballad if it features rhyme and is...