Write down two differences between poetry and prose.

Folk music holds significant cultural value and is a key topic in the HSC English syllabus. Some of the defining characteristics and aspects of folk music include:

  
• Oral Transmission: Folk songs are traditionally passed down orally from one generation to the next, often undergoing subtle variations over time as they are not formally recorded in written musical notation.
  
• Spontaneous & Universal Composition: It is composed and performed by ordinary people without formal musical training, relying on simple melodies and local musical instruments (e.g., Ektara, Dotara, Flute).
  
• Reflection of Rural Life: The themes and lyrics directly express the lifestyle, occupations, natural environment, joy, sorrow, and spiritual beliefs of a traditional community (e.g., Bhatiali, Bhawaiya, and Lalon Geeti in Bangladesh).