Prose
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225541061
2008-07-14T05:59:11Z
24.46.77.47
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{{Unreferenced|date=May 2008}}
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{{literature}}
'''Prose''' is [[writing]] distinguished from [[poetry]] by its greater variety of [[rhythm]] and its closer resemblance to everyday [[Speech communication|speech]]. The word prose comes from the [[Latin]] ''prosa'', meaning straightforward, hence the term "prosaic," which is often seen as [[pejorative]]. Prose describes the type of writing that prose embodies, unadorned with obvious stylistic devices. Prose writing is usually adopted for the description of facts or the discussion of whatever one's thoughts are, incorporated in free flowing speech. Thus, it may be used for [[newspapers]], [[magazines]], [[encyclopedias]], [[broadcast media]], [[films]], [[literature|letters]], [[history]], [[philosophy]], [[biography]], [[linguistic geography]], and many other forms of communication.
Prose generally lacks the formal structure of [[meter (poetry)|meter]] or [[rhyme]] that is often found in [[poetry]]. Although some works of prose may happen to contain traces of metrical structure or [[versification]], a conscious blend of the two forms of literature is known as a [[prose poetry|prose poem]]. Similarly, poetry with less of the common rules and limitations of verse is known as [[free verse]]. Poetry is considered to be artificially developed ("The best words in the best order"), whereas prose is thought to be less constructed and more reflective of ordinary speech.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} [[Pierre de Ronsard]], the [[France|French]] [[poet]], said that his training as a poet had proved to him that prose and poetry were mortal enemies. In [[Molière]]'s play ''[[Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme]]'', Monsieur Jourdain asks something to be written in neither verse nor prose. A philosophy master says to him, "Sir, there is no other way to express oneself than with prose or verse". Jourdain replies, "By my faith! For more than forty years I have been speaking prose without knowing anything about it, and I am much obliged to you for having taught me that."
==History==
The status of prose has changed throughout its history. The early [[literature]] of many societies consists mostly of poetry.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Early prose was often restricted to mundane and everyday uses, such as legal documents and yearly records. Academic subjects such as [[philosophy]] and [[history]] were generally written in prose, but [[fiction]] does not often appear in prose until much later.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Poetry is still often regarded as a higher form of literature than prose, but the relatively recent development of the novel has challenged that view.
Prose was at one time synonymous with dull, unimaginative or laboured writing, and the meaning of the word "prosaic" has developed "containing or characteristic of prose" to "lacking in imagination or spirit; dull."{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Prose that is too ornate and overblown for its context is called [[purple prose]].
The use of prose as opposed to poetry in [[Shakespeare]] distinguishes classes of characters in some plays, and changing mental states and moods of characters in others. In [[Romeo and Juliet]], servants speak in prose. In [[Othello]], Othello shifts from poetry to prose as his suspicion of Desdemona's infidelity increases. In [[King Lear]], Lear initially speaks in verse, but shifts to prose as he is driven insane.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}
==Styles==
Prose varies considerably depending on the purpose of the writing. As prose is often considered to be representative of the patterns of normal speech{{Fact|date=May 2008}} , many [[rhetorical device]]s are used in prose to emphasize points and enliven the writing. Prose aims to be informative and accurate, such as [[history]] or [[journalism]], usually striving to use the simplest language possible to express its points. Facts are often repeated and reiterated in various ways so that they are understood by a reader, but excessive use of this technique can make a serious piece of writing seem [[pedantic]].
In [[fiction]], prose can take on many forms. Skilled [[author]]s can alter how they use prose throughout a book to suggest different moods and ideas. A [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] often consists of short, "punchy" sentences made up of equally short words, suggesting very rapid actions to heighten the effect of a very fast-moving [[Plot (narrative)|plot]]. Conversely, longer sentences can be used to slow down the action of a novel.
When a poem is [[translation|translated]] from one language into another (particularly an [[epic poetry|epic poem]]) the poem is often converted into prose. Not only does this allow the reader to understand the plot more easily, but it allows the translator to exercise less unwelcome creative input. A translation should be an unchanged representation of the sense of the original; to impose the [[rhyme]] and [[Meter (poetry)|meter]] structures of a different language is likely to significantly alter the poem.
==Speech/Debate==
The event 'Prose' in Speech/Debate is in which one person reads a selection from a published book, play, etc., and interprets the piece for the judging audience.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
==See also==
*[[List of basic literary topics]]
*[[Rhymed prose]]
[[Category:Literature]]
[[Category:Methods of writing]]
[[ar:نثر]]
[[bs:Proza]]
[[br:Komz-plaen]]
[[ca:Prosa]]
[[ceb:Prosa]]
[[cs:Próza]]
[[cy:Rhyddiaith]]
[[da:Prosa (skriveform)]]
[[de:Prosa]]
[[et:Proosa]]
[[eo:Prozo]]
[[fa:نثر]]
[[fr:Prose]]
[[ko:산문]]
[[hi:गद्य]]
[[id:Prosa]]
[[is:Óbundið mál]]
[[it:Prosa]]
[[he:סיפורת]]
[[jv:Gancaran]]
[[ka:პროზა]]
[[ky:Проза (кара сөз)]]
[[sw:Nathari]]
[[la:Prosa]]
[[lv:Proza]]
[[lt:Proza]]
[[hu:Próza]]
[[mk:Проза]]
[[nl:Proza]]
[[ja:散文]]
[[no:Prosa]]
[[nn:Prosa]]
[[pl:Proza]]
[[pt:Prosa]]
[[ro:Proză]]
[[ru:Проза]]
[[simple:Prose]]
[[sk:Próza]]
[[sr:Проза]]
[[sh:Proza]]
[[fi:Proosa]]
[[sv:Prosa]]
[[tr:Nesir]]
[[uk:Проза]]
[[wa:Prôze]]
[[yi:פראזע (ליטעראטור)]]
[[zh-yue:散文]]
[[zh:散文]]