Prose vs. Fiction — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 24, 2024
Prose refers to written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without structured meter, while fiction is a genre of literature based on imaginative narration, not necessarily bound to prose's format.
Difference Between Prose and Fiction
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Prose is characterized by its straightforward, ordinary structure, which mirrors everyday spoken language. It encompasses a wide range of written works, including novels, essays, articles, and more, focusing on clear and direct expression rather than poetic forms. In contrast, fiction is defined by its creative and imaginative content, creating narratives that explore unreal or speculative scenarios. Fiction can be presented in various formats, including prose, but also poetry and drama.
While prose is appreciated for its clarity, accessibility, and versatility in expressing ideas, fiction's value lies in its ability to tell stories, explore hypothetical situations, and evoke emotions through fabricated tales. Whereas prose can be non-fictional or fictional, fiction is inherently a construct of the imagination, aiming to entertain, educate, or provoke thought, regardless of its presentation form.
The relationship between prose and fiction is one of medium versus genre. Prose serves as a vehicle for many genres, including fiction. This means that while all fiction conveys imaginative narratives, not all prose is fictional; prose can also be factual, analytical, or descriptive without venturing into the realm of fiction.
Another key difference is the audience's expectation. Readers approach prose with expectations based on its context seeking information, insight, or entertainment. Fiction, by its nature, sets the expectation of a journey into the imaginative, regardless of the prose, poetry, or dramatic format it employs.
The criteria for evaluating prose and fiction also differ; prose is often judged on clarity, coherence, and stylistic elegance, while fiction is assessed for its narrative quality, character development, and thematic depth. This distinction highlights how prose as a form and fiction as a genre serve different purposes and elicit varied responses from their audiences.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Ordinary language without structured meter
Imaginative narration regardless of form
Format
Includes novels, essays, articles
Can be prose, poetry, drama
Purpose
To express ideas, describe reality, argue points
To entertain, educate, provoke thought through stories
Nature
Can be factual or fictional
Inherently imaginative and not factual
Audience Expectation
Information, insight, or entertainment based on context
Engagement with the imaginative or speculative
Evaluation Criteria
Clarity, coherence, stylistic elegance
Narrative quality, character development, thematic depth
Examples
News articles, non-fiction books, manuals
Novels, short stories, fables
Representation
Everyday spoken language
Unreal, speculative scenarios
Focus
Expression of ideas in clear, direct manner
Storytelling, exploration of hypothetical situations
Compare with Definitions
Prose
Ordinary written language without structured verse.
Novels and essays are common examples of prose.
Fiction
Encompasses genres like fantasy and science fiction.
He has a vast collection of fiction, ranging from fantasy to dystopian.
Prose
Encompasses both fiction and non-fiction genres.
The library's prose section includes a diverse range of books.
Fiction
Not based on fact.
Despite its realistic setting, the story is purely fiction.
Prose
Written or spoken language in its ordinary form.
Her essay was a brilliant piece of prose that argued her point succinctly.
Fiction
Aimed at storytelling and entertainment.
Fiction offers an escape into worlds of endless possibility.
Prose
Refers to non-rhythmic literature.
He preferred the straightforwardness of prose to the complexity of poetry.
Fiction
Literature created from the imagination.
Her latest novel is a work of fiction that draws heavily from historical events.
Prose
Focused on clarity and directness.
His prose was clear and accessible, making complex ideas understandable.
Fiction
Creative writing that imagines events and characters.
The author's fiction often blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.
Prose
Prose is a form of written (or spoken) language that usually exhibits a natural flow of speech and grammatical structure—an exception is the narrative device stream of consciousness. The word "prose" first appears in English in the 14th century.
Fiction
Fiction is any creative work (chiefly, any narrative work) consisting of people, events, or places that are imaginary—in other words, not based strictly on history or fact. In its most narrow usage, fiction refers to written narratives in prose and often specifically novels, though also novellas and short stories.
Prose
Ordinary speech or writing, without metrical structure.
Fiction
Literature in the form of prose, especially novels, that describes imaginary events and people.
Prose
Commonplace expression or quality.
Fiction
Something that is invented or untrue
They were supposed to be keeping up the fiction that they were happily married
Prose
Roman Catholic Church A hymn of irregular meter sung before the Gospel.
Fiction
The category of literature, drama, film, or other creative work whose content is imagined and is not necessarily based on fact.
Prose
To write prose.
Fiction
Works in this category
The fiction of Virginia Woolf.
Prose
To speak or write in a dull, tiresome style.
Fiction
A work within this category
The shorter fictions of Faulkner.
Prose
Language, particularly written language, not intended as poetry.
Though known mostly for her prose, she also produced a small body of excellent poems.
Fiction
Narrative, explanatory material, or belief that is not true or has been imagined or fabricated
The notion that he was at the scene of the crime is pure fiction.
Prose
Language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
Fiction
A narrative, explanation, or belief that may seem true but is false or fabricated
"Neutrality is a fiction in an unneutral world" (Howard Zinn).
Prose
(Roman Catholicism) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass.
Fiction
(Law) A verbal contrivance that is in some sense inaccurate but that accomplishes a purpose, as in the treatment of husband and wife as one person or a corporation as an entity.
Prose
To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
Fiction
(literature) Literary type using invented or imaginative writing, instead of real facts, usually written as prose.
I am a great reader of fiction.
The fiction section of the library
Prose
The ordinary language of men in speaking or writing; language not cast in poetical measure or rhythm; - contradistinguished from verse, or metrical composition.
I speak in prose, and let him rymes make.
Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme.
I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry, that is; prose - words in their best order; poetry - the best order.
Fiction
A verbal or written account that is not based on actual events (often intended to mislead).
The company’s accounts contained a number of blatant fictions.
The butler’s account of the crime was pure fiction.
Separate the fact from the fiction
Prose
Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
Fiction
(legal) A legal fiction.
Prose
A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See Sequence.
Fiction
The act of feigning, inventing, or imagining; as, by a mere fiction of the mind.
Prose
Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.
Fiction
That which is feigned, invented, or imagined; especially, a feigned or invented story, whether oral or written. Hence: A story told in order to deceive; a fabrication; - opposed to fact, or reality.
The fiction of those golden apples kept by a dragon.
When it could no longer be denied that her flight had been voluntary, numerous fictions were invented to account for it.
Prose
Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.
Fiction
Fictitious literature; comprehensively, all works of imagination; specifically, novels and romances.
The office of fiction as a vehicle of instruction and moral elevation has been recognized by most if not all great educators.
Prose
To write in prose.
Fiction
An assumption of a possible thing as a fact, irrespective of the question of its truth.
Prose
To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
Fiction
Any like assumption made for convenience, as for passing more rapidly over what is not disputed, and arriving at points really at issue.
Prose
To write prose.
Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter.
Fiction
A literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
Prose
Ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
Fiction
A deliberately false or improbable account
Prose
Matter of fact, commonplace, or dull expression
Common Curiosities
Is all prose considered fiction?
No, prose includes both fictional and non-fictional works.
How do I know if a work is prose or fiction?
Determine if the work is written in ordinary language (prose) and whether it contains imaginative content (fiction).
Can fiction be written in forms other than prose?
Yes, fiction can also be presented in poetry and drama.
What are some examples of non-fiction prose?
Biographies, essays, and news articles are examples of non-fiction prose.
What challenges do writers face when creating fiction in prose?
Balancing narrative creativity with prose's clarity and coherence can be challenging, requiring skillful storytelling and language use.
What impact has digital media had on prose and fiction?
Digital media has broadened access to and formats for both prose and fiction, including e-books, audiobooks, and online publishing.
What makes prose different from poetry?
Prose is written in ordinary language without structured meter, while poetry uses verse, rhythm, and meter.
Why is fiction important?
Fiction explores human experiences, cultures, emotions, and ethical dilemmas, offering readers insight and entertainment.
Are there any genres exclusive to prose?
While prose is a form rather than a genre, certain genres like the novel or essay are typically associated with prose.
Can a single work be both prose and fiction?
Yes, many novels and short stories are both prose (in form) and fiction (in content).
How does fiction influence readers?
Fiction can broaden perspectives, foster empathy, and spark creativity by immersing readers in diverse experiences.
How has the definition of fiction evolved?
Fiction's definition has expanded to include a broader range of imaginative narratives, reflecting diverse cultures and experiences.
How do authors blend prose and fiction?
Authors use prose as a medium to craft fictional narratives, blending imaginative content with clear, direct language.
Can prose be considered a literary genre?
Prose is more accurately described as a form of written expression, encompassing multiple genres within fiction and non-fiction.
What role does prose play in education?
Prose, especially non-fiction prose, is crucial for learning and information dissemination across various subjects.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
