Prose: Understanding its Meaning and Importance

Prose simply means language that follows the natural patterns found in everyday speech.

Let us understand in detail!

Understanding the Meaning of Prose

Prose refers to an ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse. When identifying a piece of writing as it, the piece should be written in a typical, straightforward manner. It will follow strict grammatical structures rather than a meter or verse pattern.

Normal everyday communication, whether spoken or written, is always in its form. It comprises complete grammatical sentences, which further consist of paragraphs, and forgoes aesthetic appeal in favor of clear, straightforward language.

4 Common Types of Prose

Prose can vary depending according to style and purpose. There are four distinct types of prose that writers use:

Nonfictional

This is one type where a true story or factual account of events or information (nonfiction) is presented. Textbooks, newspaper articles, and instruction manuals all fall into this category.

Fictional

A literary work of fiction. This is the most popular type of literary prose, used in novels and short stories, and generally has characters, plot, setting, and dialogue.

Heroic

A literary work that is either written down or preserved through oral tradition, but is meant to be recited. It is usually a legend or fable. The twelfth-century Irish tales revolving around the mythical warrior Finn McCool are an example of heroic prose.

Poetry

Poetry written in prose form. This literary hybrid can sometimes have rhythmic and rhyming patterns. French poet Charles Baudelaire wrote prose poems, including “Be Drunk” which starts off: “And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace or the green grass of a ditch, in the mournful solitude of your room.”

Importance of Prose

In literature, the basic purpose of it is to convey an idea, deliver information, or tell a story. It is the way a writer fulfils her basic promise to a reader to deliver a story with characters, setting, conflict, a plot, and a final payoff.

Each writer has their own way of using language, called a writer’s voice. Using this literary device in different ways helps writers craft and show off this voice.

The English language has a number of literary devices such as alliteration, simile, etc. that must be used for the purpose of writing and/or speaking. You can read more about them here.