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Prose

Prose is the form of written language (including written speech or dialogue) that follows the natural flow of speech, a language's ordinary grammatical structures, or typical writing conventions and formatting (thus including academic writing). It differs from traditional poetry, where the format consists of verse: writing in lines that follow rhythmic metre or a rhyme scheme. The word "prose" first appears in English in the 14th century. It is derived from the Old French prose, which in turn originates in the Latin expression prosa oratio (literally, straightforward or direct speech).[1]

For the American author, see Francine Prose. Not to be confused with Pro se.

Works of philosophy, history, economics, etc., journalism, and most fiction (an exception is the verse novel), are examples of works written in prose. Developments in twentieth century literature, including free verse, concrete poetry, and prose poetry, have led to the idea of poetry and prose as two ends on a spectrum rather than firmly distinct from each other. The British poet T. S. Eliot noted, whereas "the distinction between verse and prose is clear, the distinction between poetry and prose is obscure."[2]

A prose poem – is a composition in prose that has some of the qualities of a poem.

[8]

– combines haiku and prose.

Haikai prose

– is a poetic composition which exploits a combination of prose and verse (metrum);[9] in particular, it is a text composed in alternating segments of prose and verse.[10] It is widely found in Western and Eastern literature.[10]

Prosimetrum

– is prose that is so extravagant, ornate, or flowery as to break the flow and draw excessive attention to itself.[11]

Purple prose

(1911). "Prose" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 22 (11th ed.). pp. 450–455.

Gosse, Edmund William

Patterson, William Morrison, , Columbia University Press, 1917.

Rhythm of Prose

Kuiper, Kathleen (2011). . The Rosen Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1615304943. 244 pages.

Prose: Literary Terms and Concepts

Shklovsky, Viktor (1991). . Dalkey Archive Press. ISBN 0916583643. 216 pages.

Theory of Prose

Prose examples in Literature