1. Bakkerbaard

    Bakkerbaard Contributor Contributor

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    Can a story be a ballad?

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Bakkerbaard, Dec 24, 2022.

    Okay, so I was planning to jokingly title my story A Scottish Ballad, among other options, but it definitely isn't a traditional ballad in the sense that it has stanzas and... stuff.
    So could I still call a regular story a ballad, or would it just confuse people?
     
  2. Xoic

    Xoic Prognosticator of Arcana Ridiculosum Contributor Blogerator

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    I think you could get away with it. But ideally the story might at least refer to a ballad. Maybe there could be stanzas of a non-existent ballad as chapter headings or something? Just spitballin'.

    Actually I don't see any reason you can't just call it a ballad. Titles can be metaphorical.
     
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  3. JLT

    JLT Contributor Contributor

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    If it's evocative of a ballad... a lyrical re-telling of a story that people might want to tell over and over again... the word "ballad" in the title would not be out of place, I think.
     
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  4. Earp

    Earp Contributor Contributor

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    Sure. There are plenty of books and movies whose titles refer to them as ballads.
     
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  5. Bakkerbaard

    Bakkerbaard Contributor Contributor

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    Metaphores are hard, man.

    It most definitely isn't. I'll be happy if it resembles a book at all.
     
  6. JLT

    JLT Contributor Contributor

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    In that case, perhaps a better title would be in order. I've seen "rhapsody" used in this sense.
     
  7. Bakkerbaard

    Bakkerbaard Contributor Contributor

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    I'm inclined to agree with you, so far. On the 'better title' part, anyway. As a Queen-fan I associate Rhapsody mostly with Bohemians. ;o)
     
  8. petra4

    petra4 Active Member

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    Being a classical pianist and knowing classical music, I wouldn't call it is Ballad.
    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballad
     
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