PROSE

• a style of writing that does not follow a strict structure of rhyming

and/or meter.
• uses normal grammatical structures.
• Elements of prose writing include regular grammar and paragraph
structures that organize ideas, forgoing more stylistic and
aesthetic forms of writing found in poetry and lyrics.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF
PROSE?
• Delivering Information
- the most basic function of prose is to deliver information to the
reader in the form of a story.
- Prose is the avenue through which the writer walks the reader
through the story with its different characters, settings, points of
conflict, and plot lines, all culminating in the final resolution.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF
PROSE?
• Creating a Unique Voice
- Every writer is different, and their work is evidence of this.
- Writers can use prose to develop their own unique style of
writing which will, in turn, give them an identifiable voice.
- Each writer’s approach to using prose to create a personal voice
will be different, which is what makes their voice unique.
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF
PROSE?
Generating a Sense of Familiarity
• One function of prose is to create a sense of familiarity between the reader and the text.
• Generally speaking, the prose is fairly conversational, although this will change
depending on the writer.
• The laid-back familiarity of prose allows readers to become comfortable with the story
and characters.
• This, as a result, makes them feel more connected to the story and, thus, more invested
in its outcome.
TYPES OF PROSE?
Non-fiction prose
- this includes recounts, such as diaries, informational texts, persuasive
essays, and much more.
Examples:
- Bluets by Maggie Nelson
- Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
- A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
TYPES OF PROSE?
Fiction prose
- fictional pieces might be where our minds first go to when we think about prose.
Novels, short stories, flash fiction - the vast majority of creative and narrative writing
uses prose to tell its story.
Example:
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
TYPES OF PROSE?
Heroic Prose
- a very old form of prose, hailing from the oral tradition. Although
heroic prose originated in the oral tradition, it often now gets written
down in order to preserve it. However, it’s meant to be recited.
Heroic prose is quite rare, as it’s much easier to remember and recite
the verse, which is why most of the pieces that we still have from the
oral tradition, such as the works of Homer, are poetry.
TYPES OF PROSE?
Heroic Prose
Example:
- Lady Gregory’s retelling of the stories Cuchulain of
Muirthemne
- Ulaid story The Cattle Raid of Cooley
ACTIVITY
Direction: Identify the word being described by the following.
1. A very old form of prose, hailing from the oral tradition.
2. A style of writing that does not follow a strict structure of rhyming
and/or meter.
3. The vast majority of creative and narrative writing uses prose to tell its
story.
4. This includes recounts, such as diaries, informational texts, persuasive
essays, and much more.
5. It includes regular grammar and paragraph structures that organize ideas.