What is a modern ballad?

Answer 1

A modern Ballad is a Ballad using modern English and/or slang that would not have previously been used in older ones. Often these ballads don't follow the typical ballad rules 100% but are still considered ballads by having only MOST of the rules included.

For an example of older ones and how to build them, see

http://library.thinkquest.org/3721/poems/forms/ballad.html#

For an example of a more modern ballad, see

http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=R5Tnqisce7E

Answer 2

A modern ballad is a narrative song that tells a story, typically with emotional themes such as love, heartbreak, or social issues. They often incorporate elements of popular Music Genres like pop, rock, or hip-hop, while still maintaining the storytelling tradition of traditional ballads.