Literature: Types of Poetry – JSS1 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

The main types of poems in this note are the epic, ballad, ode, dirge and pastoral elegy. An epic is a long narrative poem about heroic deeds. A ballad is a sung story in verse. An ode praises a person or thing. A dirge expresses grief at a death. A pastoral elegy laments the death of a shepherd.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• name five types of poems;
• describe an epic, a ballad, an ode, a dirge and a pastoral elegy;
• state the difference between oral poetry and written poetry.

What are the types of poems?

1. Epic: It is a long narrative poem that celebrates real historical events, heroic achievements, civilisation, quasi-divine figures and other subjects.
2. Ballad: This is an anonymous narrative in verse, passed from generation to generation by word of mouth and meant to be sung and danced before a crowd.
3. Ode: It is a meditative poem that addresses itself to a person or thing, in which the good qualities of that person or object are highlighted and commended.
4. Dirge: It is a poem used to express grief on the occasion of someone’s death.
5. Pastoral elegy: It laments the death of a shepherd.

What is the difference between oral and written poetry?

Oral poetry is spoken or chanted. Written poetry is put down on paper or otherwise documented.

Evaluation

Write on the following kinds of poetry: panegyric, limerick and lullaby.

General evaluation

• Write a short note on five other types of poems.
• Write a composition on the title, ‘The Federal Road Safety Commission’.

Assignment

Weekend assignment

1. Give the past and past participle of the following verbs: awake, find, hold, sweep, beat, leave, swell, forget, cling, hide, shut, take.
2. Use each verb in a sentence.