Which statement best describes narrative poetry?

Which statement best describes narrative poetry?

• A. It can have features of poetry as well as fiction and nonfiction prose
• B. It contains only verse and no prose elements
• C. It is always in free verse
• D. It has no plot or characters

Answer: (A)

Narrative poetry blends storytelling with verse, using poetic techniques to tell a story. It presents plot, characters, and setting inside a poetic form, so it can include elements from fiction or nonfiction prose alongside features of poetry. This makes it distinct from poetry that is purely lyric or from prose storytelling without verse. It is not restricted to free verse; many narrative poems rely on rhyme and meter. It also has a plot and characters, which rules out the idea that it has no story.

Narrative poetry blends storytelling with verse, using poetic techniques to tell a story. It presents plot, characters, and setting inside a poetic form, so it can include elements from fiction or nonfiction prose alongside features of poetry. This makes it distinct from poetry that is purely lyric or from prose storytelling without verse. It is not restricted to free verse; many narrative poems rely on rhyme and meter. It also has a plot and characters, which rules out the idea that it has no story.