Assignment - Write a 6 stanza ballad using quatrains.

Part 1
A four line ballad stanza is referred to as a quatrain.  You will be writing your Renaissance ballad in quatrains.  Use the following end line rhyming scheme:

Common rhyme scheme (.pdf document of sample ballad)

        A   (A talented man named Leo da Vinci)
        A   (Was born in a hamlet in Italy)
        B   (A man of great fortune whose lifetime was spent)
        B   (As a renaissance man, with good intent)
       
The word at the end of the first line rhymes with the word at the end of the second line.  The word at the end of the third line rhymes with the word at the end of the fourth line.  When you start the second stanza of your poem, it will rhyme as follows:

        C
        C
        D
        D

Part 2
Listen to the music selection to get a feeling for emphasized syllables called stresses.  Your choice of words to accommodate these stresses is important.  Otherwise, it is awkward when placed with the music.

The pattern of stresses and syllables you will be using is set up below.  The dashes ( - ) indicate beats or syllables that are not emphasized. The slashes ( / ) indicate beats or syllables that are emphasized.

- / - - / - - / - - /                              ( 10 or 11 syllables)
- / - - / - - / /                                   ( 9 or 10 syllables)
- / - - / - - / - - /                              ( 10 or 11 syllables)
- - / - - / - - / /                                ( 9 or 10 syllables)

Part 3
When you start writing, refer to your retrieval chart for information.  Be sure to include the following information in each stanza:

Stanza 1
Who was your character and where did they live?
What did they contribute to the worldview of Europe at the time?

Stanza 2, 3, 4 & 5
What were the details of their accomplishment or accomplishments?

Stanza 6
How did they affect our worldview today?

Part 4
Look at the information you have gathered and find a starter phrase.  This should be a phrase that summarizes the story or describes the story’s main idea.  (Example: A talented man named Leo da Vinci.)  Try to place a word that is easy to rhyme at the end of your phrase.  Polish your phrase to ensure it fits into the 10 or 11 syllable count pattern.

Continue to write down key words and phrases that will tell your story.  When you have a good line, experiment with the last word in the line to figure out what words rhyme.  Try to match information with the rhyming word.  If you can’t find a rhyming word, rearrange the line or add a word that is easy to rhyme.  Again, ensure that your syllable counts and stresses are correct for each line.  Continue until your ballad is complete.

Part 5
Using the headphones, listen to the ballad music again, and double check that the beats and stresses in the music will work with the beats and stresses in the written ballad.

Part 6
Go over the first four items on your pre presentation checklist. 
Ensure you have completed everything.