Write an essay in which you argue whether or not “Rocky Raccoon” can be classifi

Write an essay in which you argue whether or not “Rocky Raccoon” can be classified as a traditional ballad (please make sure you consider both structure and content in making your argument). Support your view with evidence from the text and your knowledge about traditional ballad structure.
Note:
while you are not expected to be able to scan a line of poetry for meter, you are expected to be able to count the number of syllables per line to tell whether or not a poetic line adheres to the line length requirements for the ballad stanza form.
Focus your writing on your analysis of the poem. Do not discuss the history of the songwriting or the authors. I know those tidbits of information are interesting, but they are not relevant to this particular assignment. The purpose of this exercise is to test whether or not you can apply your knowledge about ballad form in discussing this piece of writing.
Grading Criteria
Introduction – orients the reader to the subject and contains a clearly- stated thesis (10 pts.)
Body – presents the argument in a lucid and organized fashion. Each paragraph has a controlling idea. The majority of elements associated with ballad structure as presented in the course lecture are considered in the analysis. The author provides evidence from the text to support his or her argument. (60)
Conclusion – wraps up argument and restates thesis. (5 pts.)
Evidence of editing: (35)
Paper contains no unnecessary first-person reference (e.g. “In my opinion,” “I think”)
Periods and commas appear inside of quotation marks.
Pronouns and antecedents agree.
No presence of informal language.
The title of the poem/song is enclosed in quotation marks, not italicized or underlined.
Comma splices, fragments, and run-on sentences have been eliminated.
No spelling errors or homonym errors.