Difference Between Verse and Prose

Verse and prose both are essential in literature. These are the two different ways of writing contents.

They have their uses and importance among different types of writers. There are various such tyes of writtings. 

Key Takeaways

Verse vs Prose

The difference between verse and prose is that prose is the form of language in its natural state, whereas verse is a form of language that have metrical rhythm. The prose is effortless and straightforward, whereas verse is creative and complex.

The verse can be described as a form of language that has a metrical rhythm. In this, all the lines are usually concluded in a rhyme. The language written in verse is generally very creative. However, the language here is not very straightforward .there are 2 different types of verse, i.e. free verse and blank verse.

We can describe prose as a language in its natural or original form without any rhythm or meter. Most of the spoken language is prose because of their simplicity. It is usually an evident and straight forward form of speech. Although prose does not contain any decorations in it, it has its aesthetical beauty. There are four different types of prose, i.e. non-fictional prose, fictional prose, heroic prose, prose poetry.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Prose	Verse
Definition	Refers to the language in its original form.	Refers to the form of language in metrical rhythm.
Structure	Written in sentences and the sentences are then arranged into paragraphs.	Written in the lines anD the lines are arranged in stanzas.
Language used	Simple, clear and straightforward.	Creative, complex and aesthetic.
Types	Four basic types i.e. non-fictional prose, fictional prose, heroic phrase and prose poetry.	Two types i.e. free verse and blank verse.
Examples	Novels, simple dialogues, short stories, etc.	Poetries

What is Prose?

Prose refers to the language in its natural and original form. It does not have any rhythm or meter in it. In prose, the basic rules of speech and grammar are followed.

The speech in prose is always clear and straightforward. Mostly spoken language is prose because of its simplicity.

The prose is an unambiguous, simple and straightforward form of language. This quality makes it an accurate record of communication.

It delivers the message of a writer to the reader in a more approachable way.

Prose does not have any decorative language in it, but that doesn’t mean that it lacks in its aesthetic or beauty. It is generally written in a paragraph form, and the phrases do not need to rhyme.

There are four basic types of phrases, i.e. non-fictional prose, fictional prose, heroic phrase and prose poetry.

The non-fictional prose is usually the stories based on real-life events, whereas the fictional prose is more like the made-up short stories.

The heroic prose refers to the heroic stories, something that represents heroism and poetry prose refers to the poetries written in prose. Out of these four forms, the fictional prose is the most famous one.

Some examples of prose include definitions, articles, textbooks, novels, simple dialogues, short stories, etc.

What is Verse?

The verse refers to the language in metrical rhythm. In verse, lines are often concluded in a rhyme. It is used to show a stanza or any other part of the poetry.

There are various verses in a poem. It is a series of lines which elaborates the essence of a poem. The language in verse is very creative, decorative, and a little complex in nature.

Rhythm and rhyme are the two most essential concepts in verse. In verse, the language is not very straightforward. It is not as simple, natural and clear as in the prose.

The thoughts are written in lines in verse. these lines can be short, i.e. as short as a single word or very long as well.

There are usually two types of verse known, i.e. free verse and blank verse. The blank verse refers to the form of verse that only follows a regular meter and does not rhyme in its phrases.

Whereas the free verse refers to the type of verse that is free from any kind of limitations such as rhythm or following the meter.

Main Differences Between Verse and Prose

1. The prose is a language in its ordinary and natural form whereas verse in a language in metrical rhythm having a rhyme.
2. The prose is very simple, clear and straightforward in nature, whereas verse is very artistic, creative and decorative.
3. In verse, great emphasis is given to rhyme and rhythm; on the other hand, prose pays no focus on rhyme and rhythm.
4. The ideas in prose are written in sentences, and the sentences are then arranged into paragraphs. In contrast, the ideas in verse are written in lines and the lines are arranged in stanzas.
5. The prose is written in a natural and grammatical language, whereas rhythmical and metaphorical language is used to write a verse.
6. Prose usually follows a straightforward and pragmatic approach. Whereas a verse always follows an aesthetic approach.

References

1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ql0OAAAAQAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR16&dq=Verse+and+Prose&ots=B4mfAL3ocf&sig=6UAKsMbOZiNrp7L5vxcLGDOjNlk
2. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=PDewfbi7LZ8C&oi=fnd&pg=PP7&dq=Verse+and+Prose&ots=EZphL6im9V&sig=9l_0Tfrgq6dgirfc0gnTni82KZw