Definition of Prose

Prose is a form of written language that follows grammatical structure and a natural flow of speech. It is the most common form of written language which is used in short stories, novels, essays, and everyday communication.

Types of Prose with Examples

  • Narrative Prose:- It tells a story with a structured plot, characters, and a setting. For example, short stories (The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe), Novels (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen), etc.
  • Descriptive Prose:- It focuses on vivid descriptions of scenes, objects, or people. For example, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (detailed description of Dorian’s portrait).
  • Expository Prose:- It explains or informs about a topic in a clear and logical manner. For example, Essays (A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf).
  • Persuasive Prose:- It aims to convince readers of a particular argument or opinion. For example, Political essays (Common Sense by Thomas Paine).
  • Didactic Prose:- It intends to teach a lesson or moral. For example, Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
  • Autobiographical/Biographical Prose:- It accounts of a person’s life written by themselves or others. For example, The Diary of Anne Frank (autobiography), The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell (biography).
  • Epistolary Prose:- It is written in the form of letters. For example, Dracula by Bram Stoker.
  • Satirical Prose:- It uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize society or individuals. For example, Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift.


Characteristics of Prose

  • Natural Language Flow: Unlike poetry, prose follows ordinary speech patterns.
  • Grammatical Structure: Sentences are formed with standard grammar and syntax.
  • Clarity and Coherence: Ideas are logically connected.
  • Variety in Style and Purpose: Can be narrative, descriptive, persuasive, or expository.
  • Use of Figurative Language: Metaphors, similes, and symbolism may be present.
  • Paragraph Structure: Organized into paragraphs instead of stanzas.

Emergence of Prose in English Literature

Prose became prominent in English literature during the Middle Ages, mainly through religious and philosophical texts. However, its literary significance grew during the Renaissance, with the rise of essays and fictional prose. The 18th and 19th centuries saw the novel’s rise as a dominant prose form.

Key Historical Developments:

  • Medieval Period (5th-15th Century): Religious prose (The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).
  • Renaissance (16th-17th Century): Essays and plays (Francis Bacon, Shakespeare).
  • 18th Century: Rise of the novel (Daniel Defoe, Jonathan Swift).
  • 19th Century: Realism and social critique (Charles Dickens, Jane Austen).
  • 20th Century: Modernist and postmodernist prose (James Joyce, Virginia Woolf).

Prominent Prose Writers in English Literature

  • Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400) – The Canterbury Tales
  • Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) – Utopia
  • Francis Bacon (1561-1626) – Essays
  • Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) – Robinson Crusoe
  • Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) – Gulliver’s Travels
  • Jane Austen (1775-1817) – Pride and Prejudice
  • Charles Dickens (1812-1870) – Great Expectations
  • Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) – Tess of the d’Urbervilles
  • Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) – To the Lighthouse
  • James Joyce (1882-1941) – Ulysses