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Prose is a form of language that has no formal metrical structure. It applies a natural flow of
speech, and ordinary grammatical structure rather than rhythmic structure, such as in the case of
traditional poetry. Normal every day speech is spoken in prose and most people think and write
in prose form. Prose comprises of full grammatical sentences which consist of paragraphs and
forgoes aesthetic appeal in favor of clear, straightforward language. It can be said to be the most
reflective of conversational speech. Some works of prose do have versification and a blend of the
two formats that is called prose poetry.
Read this from Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening written by Robert Frost.
Prose Form
The woods look lovely against the setting darkness and as I gaze into the mysterious depths of
the forest, I feel like lingering here longer. However, I have pending appointments to keep and
much distance to cover before I settle in for the night or else I will be late for all of them.
The above paragraph is conveying a similar message but it is conveyed in ordinary language,
without a formal metrical structure to bind it.
1. Nonfictional Prose: A literary work that is mainly based on fact although it may contain
fictional elements in certain cases. Examples are biographies and essays.
2. Fictional Prose: A literary work that is wholly or partly imagined or theoretical. Examples are
novels.
3. Heroic Prose: A literary work that may be written down or recited and employs many of the
formulaic expressions found in oral tradition. Examples are legends and tales.
4. Prose Poetry: A literary work which exhibits poetic quality using emotional effects and
heightened imagery but are written in prose instead of verse.
Prose Examples in Popular Literature
Prose in Novels
This is usually written in the form of a narrative and may be entirely a figment of the authors
imagination.
Example #1
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. 1984 - George Orwell
Example #2
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by
anybody else, these pages must show. David Copperfield Charles Dickens
Example #3
Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Anna
Karenina Leo Tolstoy
These examples of prose have been taken from novels where writers have employed their
imaginations. They are examples of fictional prose.
Prose in Speeches
Prose used in speeches often expresses thoughts and ideas of the speaker.
Example #1
You can see that there is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass
through the valley of the shadow (of death) again and again before we reach the mountain tops of
our desires. Nelson Mandela
Example #2
The poor are very great people. They can teach us so many beautiful things. Mother Teresa
Example #3
As for the marriage laws, they are due for a sweeping reform, and an excellent beginning would
be to wipe the existing ones off the books. Shirley Chisholm
These prose examples have been taken from speeches where prose is often crispy and persuasive
and suits the occasion to convey a specific message.
Prose in Plays
Example #1
You can be young without money, but you cant be old without it. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Tennessee Williams
Example #2
All the worlds a stage, And all the men and women merely players. As You Like It
Shakespeare
It is often in conversational mode and is delivered by a character. However, its style stays the
same throughout the play according to the personality of the character.
Functions of Prose
While there have been many critical debates over the correct and valid construction of prose, the
reason for its adoption can be attributed to its loosely defined structure which most writers feel
comfortable using when expressing, or conveying their ideas and thoughts. It is the standard style
of writing used for most spoken dialogues, fictional as well as topical and factual writing and
discoursed. It is also the common language used in newspapers, magazines, literature,
encyclopedias, broadcasting, philosophy, law, history, the sciences and many other forms of
communication.
Examples of Poems
Poems can be found in these three main genres of poetry: lyric, narrative, and dramatic.
There are so many different kinds of poems that it is very difficult to define the word. A poem is
a composition which uses words that either sound a certain way or infer certain emotions, so that
the meaning of the poem is portrayed in an imaginative and emotional way.
Understanding the Types of Poems
Lyric Poetry
Shakespeare
Christine de Pizan
Teresa of vila
Antonio Machado
T. S. Eliot
John Keats
Following is one of the most famous sonnets of all time from William Shakespeare,
John Keats also wrote lyric poetry. Following is an example from his lyric poem Ode on a
Grecian Urn:
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous How Do I Love Thee is yet another famous example of a
lyric poem:
Narrative Poetry
A narrative poem tells a story, usually of human interest, and includes the epic, which is a long
story, and the ballad, which was originally meant to be sung while dancing.
Following is the last stanza of Edgar Allan Poes poem, The Raven.
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Dramatic poetry is any drama that is written in verse that is meant to be recited. It usually tells a
story or refers to a situation. This would include closet drama, dramatic monologues, and rhyme
verse.
Shakespeare
Christopher Marlowe
Ben Jonson
Aeschylus
Here is an excerpt from the opening of Christopher Marlowes Tamburlaine the Great:
Following is an excerpt from a dramatic poem called Song of the Furies by Aeschylus:
Haiku Poetry
A haiku is a Japanese form of poetry with three lines of 5, 7, and 5 moras. A mora is a sound unit,
like a syllable, but is not identical to it. Most people just say it is a syllable because it doesnt
translate well to English.
In a bed of brown.
The best known Japanese Haiku is a poem by Basho called old pond which translates to:
old pond . . .
a frog leaps in
waters sound
Limerick Poetry
A limerick is a five-line poem with the rhyme scheme a-a-b-b-a, and is intended to be funny.
Find your favorite type of poetry by enjoying examples of all types. Regardless of your selection,
you can be sure that you will always find a unique experience.