What are the characteristics of poems that tell a story?

Well, these poems usually have a plot. Just like in a short story, there is a problem or conflict. In 'Casey at the Bat', the conflict is Casey's need to hit the ball to win the game. They also tend to have a narrative arc. Starting from an introduction, like in 'Paul Revere's Ride' where we are introduced to Paul Revere, then rising action such as his ride through the night, a climax when he warns the people, and a resolution. Moreover, the language is often descriptive to bring the story to life, for instance, the vivid descriptions in 'Goblin Market' of the goblin fruits.

These poems may also rely on the power of suggestion. Instead of telling a story, they give hints and let the reader's imagination fill in the blanks. For example, a poem might describe a strange object and leave it up to the reader to decide what it means or what it might be related to, rather than spelling out a story.

Long poems that tell a story often have complex characters. Since they have more space to develop, the characters can be multi - dimensional. For example, in 'The Divine Comedy', Dante encounters various figures in Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, each with their own backstories and personalities. Another characteristic is the elaborate plot. These poems can cover a wide range of events and time periods, like in 'The Odyssey' which spans Odysseus' many years of wandering.

One characteristic is that they have a plot. Just like in a regular story, there's a sequence of events. For example, in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the mariner's actions lead to different situations and consequences. Another characteristic is the presence of characters. These can be complex, like the Mariner himself or the various pilgrims in 'The Canterbury Tales'. Also, they often have a setting which helps to create the mood and context for the story, such as the sea in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' or the journey in 'The Canterbury Tales'.

Character development is another characteristic. In 'The Odyssey' by Homer, Odysseus goes through many trials and his character evolves from a war hero to a more complex, wiser man. The poem uses vivid language to describe his adventures and the people he meets, which is also a common trait. It makes the story come alive for the readers.

These poems tend to have a certain rhythm and meter that helps in the narration. The rhyme scheme can also add to the mood of the story. For example, the rhyming in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' gives it an almost chant - like quality that makes the story more engaging and easier to remember as it unfolds.

They often have unexpected twists. For example, in a story - telling funny poem, the hero might not do what you expect, like instead of slaying the dragon in a heroic way, he befriends it in a really silly way. This surprise makes it funny.

Well, they often have a strong sense of melancholy. For example, in 'Because I could not stop for Death' by Emily Dickinson, the story of the journey with Death has a sad undertone throughout. They also tend to use vivid imagery to convey the sadness. In these poems, the plot usually involves loss, like the loss of a loved one or the loss of a way of life.

One characteristic is rich symbolism. For example, in T. S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land', various symbols are used to tell a complex story about the desolation of modern society. Another characteristic is the use of vivid imagery. It helps to bring the story to life, like in Sylvia Plath's poems where her detailed descriptions make the stories she tells more engaging.

One characteristic is a complex plot. Since they are long, they can develop a story with many twists and turns, like in 'The Odyssey' where Odysseus faces numerous challenges on his journey home. Another is the use of vivid characters. These poems often have well - developed characters that drive the story forward. For example, Beowulf in 'Beowulf' is a very strong and heroic character. Also, they usually have a strong sense of setting. In 'The Divine Comedy', Dante describes the different levels of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven in great detail, which helps to set the mood and context of the story.