What is Prose?
Introduction:
- Prose is a form of written or spoken language that follows a natural flow, unlike the rhythmic structure found in poetry.
- According to the dictionary, ‘Prose is a non-metrical form of language’
- It is the most common form of writing, everything from novels and short stories to essays and articles are all, written in this format.
- There are several prose and prose styles, each serving different purposes and audiences.
What are the different Prose Types?
Prose can be divided into three categories:
- Non-Fictional Prose: It can be any of these: Autobiography, Biography, Memoir, Travelogue, periodical Essay, Formal Essay and Personal Essay
- Fictional Prose: It can be classified into Novel, Short Story, Romance, Science Fiction, and Meta Fiction.
- Epic Prose: It is further divided into Legends, Myths, Sagas, or Epic.
Non Fictional Prose:
Autobiography:
- An autobiography is a self-written account of a person’s life.
- It describes the individual’s experiences, achievements, challenges, and significant events from their own perspective.
- An autobiography provides a first-hand insight into the writer’s thoughts, feelings, and personal reflections on their life journey.
- It also portrays his weakness, his hobbies, his likes and dislikes.
- Autobiographies often cover the entire span of a person’s life, but they can also focus on specific periods or events that were particularly impactful.
Biography:
- Biography is the art of narrating a man’s life in the form of a portrait painter.
- It is an account of the life of a person which is written by someone else.
- It aims to be more objective, providing a well-rounded portrayal of the subject by including multiple perspectives and sources.
- The source may be letters, diaries, official public records, etc.
- Statement of living witnesses.
- Books previously written on the central figure.
Memoir:
1. A memoir is a type of autobiographical writing that focuses on specific events, experiences, or periods in the author’s life rather than covering their entire life story.
- A memoir zeroes in on particular themes, relationships, or significant moments that have shaped the author’s identity or worldview.
- Memoirs are often more reflective and personal, offering deep insights into the author’s thoughts and emotions during the experiences they describe.
- They are usually written in the first person and aim to connect with readers by sharing intimate details and lessons learned from the author’s life.
- While autobiographies tend to be more comprehensive and chronological, memoirs are often more narrative-driven and may not follow a strict timeline, allowing for a more creative exploration of the author’s life.
Travelogue:
A travelogue is a written account or record of a person’s experiences, observations, and adventures during their travels. It often includes descriptions of the places visited, the people met, the culture encountered, and the emotions felt along the journey.
- Travelogues can be either factual or more literary, blending elements of storytelling with factual information about the destinations.
- Travelogues are usually written in the first person, giving readers a personal perspective on the author’s travel experiences.
- They can be informative, providing practical details about locations, or they can be more reflective, focusing on the personal impact of the journey.
- Travelogues often include vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and insights that help readers visualize the places and feel as if they are accompanying the author on their travels.
Periodical Essay:
- A periodical essay is a type of essay that was published in a periodical or magazine, typically during the 18th century in English literature.
- These essays were usually short, informal, and written on different topics, ranging from social issues and manners to politics, literature, and philosophy.
- Periodical essays were intended for a broad audience and were often characterized by their accessibility, wit, and conversational tone.
- Writers such as Joseph Addison and Richard Steele played a key role in its development.
- Addison and Steele co-founded and contributed to famous periodicals like The Tatler (1709-1711) and The Spectator (1711-1712).
- These essays were published serially, often daily or weekly, and were designed to entertain and educate the middle-class readership of the time.
Famous Periodical Essayists:
- “The Review” was founded and edited by Daniel Defoe. It was published between 1704 and 1713, making it one of the earliest English periodicals of its kind.
- Defoe, best known for his novel Robinson Crusoe, used The Review as a platform to express his views on a wide range of topics, including politics, trade, religion, and social issues.
- The Tatler (1709-1711)
- The Tatler was founded by Richard Steele in April 1709 and was published thrice weekly. Steele, who wrote under the pseudonym “Isaac Bickerstaff,” created The Tatler with the intent of offering readers news, gossip, and commentary on contemporary life, along with essays on various topics. The periodical’s content was divided into sections, each devoted to different areas such as politics, literature, society, and fashion.
- The Spectator (1711-1712, 1714)
- The Spectator, founded by Richard Steele and Joseph Addison in March 1711, is considered a landmark in the development of the periodical essay. It was published daily and quickly became highly popular. The essays in The Spectator were written in a refined, elegant style and focused on a broad range of topics, including morality, manners, literature, and society. The periodical aimed to “enliven morality with wit, and to temper wit with morality,” making it both instructive and enjoyable for readers.
Formal Essay:
A formal essay is a type of writing that adheres to a structured format and employs a serious tone. It is often used in academic, professional, or scholarly contexts. Here are the key characteristics of a formal essay:
- Structured Format:
Introduction: Presents the main idea or thesis statement and outlines the essay’s purpose.
Body: Consists of multiple paragraphs, each focusing on a specific point or argument that supports the thesis. Each paragraph typically includes a topic sentence, evidence or examples, and analysis.
Conclusion: Summarizes the main points, restates the thesis in light of the evidence presented, and offers final reflections or implications.
- Objective Tone:
Uses a serious and impersonal tone, avoiding casual language, slang, or colloquialisms.
Emphasizes clarity and precision in presenting information.
- Formal Language:
Employs standard grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
Avoids contractions (e.g., use “do not” instead of “don’t”) and informal expressions.
- Evidence-Based:
Relies on credible sources and evidence to support arguments or claims.
Includes citations and references as required, following a specific style guide (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
- Critical Analysis:
Focuses on analyzing and evaluating information rather than merely describing or summarizing.
Demonstrates a clear understanding of the topic and engages with different perspectives.
- Clear Purpose:
Addresses a specific topic or question with a clear thesis or central argument. Maintains focus on the essay’s purpose throughout, ensuring that all content is relevant to the main argument.
Personal Essay:
A personal essay is a type of writing that focuses on the author’s own experiences, thoughts, and reflections. Personal essays are more informal and subjective. Here are the key characteristics of a personal essay:
1. Subjective Perspective: Written from the author’s point of view.
2. Narrative Style: Often tells a story or recounts a specific event from the author’s life.
3. Personal Reflection: Explores the author’s internal responses to experiences, providing insights into their growth, values, and beliefs.
4. Informal Tone: Uses a conversational and approachable tone.
5. Focus on Experience: Centers around a personal experience.
6. Flexible Structure: they often have more flexibility in organizing. The emphasis is more on storytelling and personal insight than on strict adherence to form.
7. Emphasis on Voice: Highlights the author’s unique voice and personality.
8. Connection with Readers: Aims to connect with readers on an emotional level,
Personal essays are commonly found in literary magazines, blogs, and creative non-fiction collections. They allow writers to explore and express their own stories and reflections, often revealing deeper truths about their lives and the human experience.
Conclusion: Thus, we can conclude that types of prose and prose styles serve a specific purpose and audience, influencing how the message is conveyed and received.