Narrative poems
Narrative means story and a narrative poem tells a story. Lots of poems are mainly about thoughts and feelings and not about telling a story, so this is a key difference.
Key features of narrative poems
In a narrative poem, a story is told, but there is also rhythm and rhyme.
Rhythm and rhyme give the narrative energy so that it is more exciting.
Some narrative poems also contain repetition to add rhythm and make it more predictable.
Watch: Narrative poems
What are narrative poems?
Narrative means story. So a narrative poem is a poem that tells a story.
There is often no narrative in poetry because poems are generally about thoughts or emotions, rather than stories.
But in a narrative poem the story takes centre stage. So we get a story like in a novel, but there is also rhythm and rhyme like in a poem.
Our story begins on a steep rolling hill where the giant is trying to eat lots of cheese. Alas for the grub is too big for his mouth. If he catches it now he will be so pleased.
The fast rhythm and rhyme give the narrative poem its energy. The elements that make up a poem work together with the story telling to make an exciting narrative poem.
Watch: Free verse poems
A free verse poem is different to lots of other poems as it has no set rhyme or rhythm. Instead, they follow the natural rhythms of speech.
Watch this video to understand how free verse poems are different from lots of other types of poem.
What are free verse poems?
Free verse is a poem with no set rhyme or rhythm. Chef is going to cook a free verse poem.
Free verse poems are chef's favourite…
…that’s because, much like Chef, free verse poems don't follow any obvious rules.
Instead they often follow the rhythms of natural speech.
So that's the way that we speak in everyday life with our friends and family.
While conventional poetry often has set rhyme and rhythm…
Just like that, yes - free verse doesn't.
So the main thing you need to remember when writing a free verse poem…
…is that the usual rules don't apply!
Are narrative and free verse poems the same?
Free verse and narrative poems can sometimes seem similar, but they are not the same.
One key difference is that narrative poems often include some poetic devices such as rhyming, rhythm (by counting syllables) or repetition.
What is a stanza?
A stanza is a group of lines within a poem. A stanza is similar to a paragraph. Just like a paragraph, they contain related information and introduce new thoughts or ideas.
Key features of stanzas
Poems can contain a number of stanzas. They are separated by missing a line.
Like all poems, stanzas can rhyme, but they do not have to.
Activity 1
Activity 2
Check your understanding. Listen to the two poems below. Can you identify which poem is a free verse poem and which is a narrative poem?
Poem 1 – First Day at School by Roger McGough.
Poem 2: - Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen.
Super challenge
Write down some of your ideas about each poem:
- what you enjoyed
- what you would improve
- examples of repetition
- examples of rhyming
- explain why one of the poems is a free verse poem
Activity 3
It’s your turn! Write your very own narrative poem.
Remember:
A narrative poem tells a story, but it has rhythm, rhyme and repetition.
Separate each new idea by using stanzas.
It’s ok to make mistakes! Experimenting with words, editing and redrafting are all part of the writing process.
Activity 4
Playing with words with Joseph Coelho.
Once you have written your awesome narrative poem, try performing it to a member of your family or a friend.
For tips on how to perform poems in an interesting or exciting watch the video this video.
Play our fun English game Crystal Explorers. game
Use grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to explore jungles, caves and tombs on your mission!
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