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Literature vocabulary · Genres and Forms

Prose

Meaning in literature, with examples

/prəʊz/nounCore term

In literature, prose means: Ordinary written language in sentences and paragraphs, without the line breaks and regular rhythm of poetry; the form of most novels, stories and essays.

In Turkish: düzyazı, nesir

How it is used

Used to contrast with poetry or verse, and to judge a writer's style: reviewers praise clear, elegant, lyrical or spare prose. A prose poem is a poem written without line breaks. Prose style is one of the most common topics in book reviews.

Example sentences

  1. Her prose is so precise that every sentence feels carefully weighed.

  2. Shakespeare's plays mix verse and prose: servants often speak in prose.

Common collocations

  • prose style
  • lyrical prose
  • elegant prose
  • prose poem
  • prose fiction
  • verseWriting arranged in lines with a rhythm, as opposed to prose; also a single line of a poem or a group of lines in a song.
  • poetryLiterary writing arranged in lines that uses rhythm, sound, imagery and often rhyme to express feelings and ideas in a concentrated way.
  • novelA long story written in prose that describes imaginary people and events, usually long enough to fill a whole book and to develop characters in detail.
  • fictionStories, such as novels and short stories, that describe imaginary events and people rather than real ones.

More terms: Genres and Forms

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