Final answer:
Prose typically means expressing literal content, using ordinary syntax and natural speech without a rhythmic structure. It is clear and straightforward, contrasting with the figurative and emotional evocations of poetry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Prose in Literature.When referring to the statement in question, prose generally means 'expressing literal content.' Unlike poetry, prose is a form of language that has an ordinary syntax and natural speech, which mainly revolves around sentences rather than lines, and does not typically employ a rhythmic or metrical structure. Prose conveys clear and direct meanings of the words as intended in their most basic form. Poetry, on the other hand, often uses denotation and connotation to suggest a deeper or more figurative meaning that goes beyond the literal interpretation of words. It relies on aesthetics, rhythm, and sometimes the visual arrangement of words to evoke emotion and create a specific atmosphere or tone. Show don't tell is a critical tenet in both forms, encouraging the use of detailed, concrete words to paint a picture rather than abstract terms that leave much to the reader's imagination. A strong example of what prose achieves can be found when reading instructional or factual texts, where clarity and precision are paramount.
Prose implies straightforward communication and is usually structured in full sentences and paragraphs, which makes most of the writing we encounter, such as novels, newspapers, or this very explanation, examples of prose.