Prose

Prose is writing or spoken language in its ordinary form, without the metrical structure that characterizes poetry. It uses sentences organized into paragraphs and follows the conventions of grammar and syntax rather than fixed verse forms. Prose is the default mode for most everyday communication and for much formal writing.

Prose encompasses both fiction and non-fiction. In fiction, prose includes novels and short stories that present imagined events, characters, and settings. In non-fiction, it covers essays, biographies, journalism, history, and other expository or descriptive writings that convey information or analysis. Within these broad categories, prose can be narrative (telling a story), descriptive (painting scenes and details), expository (explaining topics), or argumentative (presenting and defending a position). Prose can also be lyrical in style, using elevated diction and rhythm to evoke mood even without verse.

Style and technique in prose vary widely. Writers manipulate sentence length, rhythm, diction, and pace to create voice and effect. Paragraphing, narration perspective, and the organization of ideas influence readability and tone. Prose can be direct and economical or elaborate and ornate, depending on purpose, audience, and tradition. While prose often aims for clarity, it can also employ ambiguity, metaphor, and rhetorical devices characteristic of literary art.

Historically, prose has deep roots across cultures and remains the dominant form in much of literature, journalism, and scholarly writing. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to evolving media and genres, from traditional novels to modern digital and hybrid forms.