3 TYPES OF POETRY

Poetry is a division of literature works which covers a literary work expressed in verse, measure, rhythm,
sound, and imaginative language and creates an emotional response to an experience, feeling or fact.
Traditionally, it has three sub-divisions namely: Narrative poetry, Lyric poetry, and Dramatic poetry.

1. Narrative Poetry is a sub-division of poetry which tells or narrates a story. It may be lengthy as an
epic, or short as a ballad and typically measured as a metrical tale.
A. Epic is a narrative poem which accounts the heroic exploits of a community’s hero, usually
involving superhuman abilities. Example: Hudhod hi Aliguyon is an Ifugao epic.
B. Ballad is a narrative poem which depicts a single incident that transpired in a person’s life. It is
usually recited during gatherings in the past but it may be sung in the present days.  Example:
Forevermore by Side A Band.
C. Metrical Tale is a narrative poem which narrates a story in a “metered” or “measured”
number of syllables hence it was called metrical. Example: BAYANI NG BUKID by Al Perez
2. Lyric Poetry is a sub-division of poetry which features poems intended to be sung with the
accompaniment of the musical instrument called “lyre” hence, lyric poetry. The following are the
types of lyric poems.
A. Awit is a romance metrical tale of dodecasyllabic measure which is recited during formal
performances or informal gatherings. Example: Florante at Laura by Francisco “Balagtas”
Baltazar.
B. Corrido is a martial or adventure metrical tale of octosyllabic measure which is recited for
recreational purposes. Example: Ibong Adarna by Jose Corazon dela Cruz.
C. Ode is a lyric poem of noble and exalted emotion which has dignified countenance. 
Example: Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
D. Elegy is a lyric poem of sad theme such lamentation for the dead, longing for a missing love,
and a grief for things beyond one’s control. Example: Elegy Written in a Country
Churchyard by Thomas Gray.
E. Sonnet  is a lyric poem of 14 iambic pentameter lines usually about love and beautiful themes. 
Example: Sonnet to Laura by Francesco Petrarch.
F. Idyll is a lyric poem celebrating the tranquil and beautiful landscapes of rural and country
settings. Example: Beside the Pasig River by Jose Rizal.
G. Folk Songs are short poems intended to be sung. The common theme is love, despair, grief,
doubt, joy, hope and sorrow. Example: CHIT-CHIRIT-CHIT
H. Psalms (dalit) is a song praising God or the Virgin Mary and containing a philosophy of life
Example: Psalm of David
3. Dramatic Poetry is a sub-division of poetry which features poems meant to be performed on stage.
Theater plays and dramatic presentations belong to this type.
A. Tragedy is a dramatic poetry which features a hero whose hubris or shortcoming eventually
causes his downfall or defeat often ending in a very sad conclusion.  Example: Hamlet by
William Shakespeare and The Three Rats by Wilfrido Ma. Guerero.
B. Comedy is a dramatic poetry which is similar with tragedy except that the hero triumphs and
overcomes the odds towards the end and emerges victoriously. Example: The Twelfth
Night by William Shakespeare.
C. Melodrama is a dramatic poetry which is a combination of the elements of tragedy and
comedy yet ends in a happy note. Example: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William
Shakespeare
D. Farce is a dramatic poetry which is an exaggerated comedy that aims to elicit laughter hence,
relaxation. Examples: Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.
E. Social Play is a dramatic poetry which tackles social issues and problems such as poverty,
corruption, discrimination, racism, sexism, among others, with an aim to bring awareness and
bring about positive change. Example: Zsazsa Zaturnah by Carlo Vergara.