Prose vs. Narrative — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 16, 2024
Prose refers to ordinary written or spoken language without structured meter, whereas narrative is a structured account that describes a sequence of events.
Difference Between Prose and Narrative
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Prose is a form of language that reflects natural flow of speech and grammatical structure, focusing on clear and straightforward expression. On the other hand, narrative specifically refers to the way a story is told, emphasizing the arrangement of events and characters to convey a cohesive plot.
In prose, the language can vary widely in style, from highly ornate to very simple and direct. Whereas narrative, regardless of its prose style, always aims to build a storyline, whether it's linear, nonlinear, or thematic.
Prose is not limited to storytelling and can be found in various forms such as essays, articles, or letters. On the other hand, narrative is predominantly seen in genres like novels, short stories, and narratives essays, where the primary goal is to engage the reader with a plot and characters.
The structure of prose is defined by grammar and everyday language, making it accessible and versatile for different types of communication. Whereas narrative structures are more complex, often involving elements like exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution to structure the events.
While prose can exist without any narrative elements, simply as exposition or argumentation, every narrative must contain prose as the medium through which the story is communicated, though it often follows a specific set of storytelling conventions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Ordinary language used in writing or speech.
A structured account of a sequence of events.
Purpose
Can be used for any form of written or spoken communication.
Primarily used to tell a story or describe events.
Structure
Unrestricted, follows grammatical rules.
Has specific elements like plot, setting, characters.
Presence in Texts
Found in all forms of written texts and speech.
Usually part of larger texts like novels or movies.
Dependency
Independent of narrative elements.
Depends on prose to form the story's medium.
Compare with Definitions
Prose
Language that does not adhere to a strict rhythmic pattern.
The report is composed in simple prose.
Narrative
A structured account of a sequence of events.
The novel unfolds a fascinating narrative of love and betrayal.
Prose
A form of communication that is direct and to the point.
The instructions were written in plain prose.
Narrative
The part of writing that tells a story.
The narrative of the film captivated the audience.
Prose
Ordinary language used in writing or speech.
The essay was written in clear, concise prose.
Narrative
The process of narrating a story.
Her narrative skills are evident in her compelling storytelling.
Prose
Non-metrical language.
Most newspapers are written in prose.
Narrative
A representation of an event or a series of events.
His narrative of the trip was detailed and vivid.
Prose
Language reflecting everyday speech.
His letters are crafted in straightforward prose.
Narrative
A way of presenting a story.
The director's narrative technique involves multiple flashbacks.
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.
Narrative
A narrative, story or tale is any account of a series of related events or experiences, whether nonfictional (memoir, biography, news report, documentary, travelogue, etc.) or fictional (fairy tale, fable, legend, thriller, novel, etc.). Narratives can be presented through a sequence of written or spoken words, still or moving images, or any combination of these.
Prose
Ordinary speech or writing, without metrical structure.
Narrative
A narrated account; a story.
Prose
Commonplace expression or quality.
Narrative
The art, technique, or process of narrating
The highest form of narrative.
Prose
Roman Catholic Church A hymn of irregular meter sung before the Gospel.
Narrative
A presentation of real-world events that connects them in a storylike way
"There has been less of a coherent, connected media narrative and more of a kind of episodic focus on events, controversies and gaffes" (Mark Jurkowitz).
Prose
To write prose.
Narrative
An explanation or interpretation of events in accordance with a particular theory, ideology, or point of view
The competing narratives of capitalism and Marxism.
Prose
To speak or write in a dull, tiresome style.
Narrative
Consisting of or characterized by the telling of a story
Narrative poetry.
Prose
Language, particularly written language, not intended as poetry.
Though known mostly for her prose, she also produced a small body of excellent poems.
Narrative
Of or relating to narration
Narrative skill.
Prose
Language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
Narrative
Telling a story.
Prose
(Roman Catholicism) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass.
Narrative
Overly talkative; garrulous.
Prose
To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
Narrative
Of or relating to narration.
The narrative thrust of a film
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.
Narrative
The systematic recitation of an event or series of events.
Prose
Hence, language which evinces little imagination or animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
Narrative
That which is narrated.
Prose
A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes introduced into the Mass. See Sequence.
Narrative
A representation of an event or story in a way to promote a certain point of view.
Changing, controlling the narrative
Prose
Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as, prose composition.
Narrative
(creative writing) A manner of conveying a story, fictional or otherwise, in a body of work.
The plot is full of holes, but the narrative is extremely compelling.
Prose
Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics; plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.
Narrative
Of or pertaining to narration; relating to the particulars of an event or transaction.
Prose
To write in prose.
Narrative
Apt or inclined to relate stories, or to tell particulars of events; story-telling; garrulous.
But wise through time, and narrative with age.
Prose
To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
Narrative
That which is narrated; the recital of a story; a continuous account of the particulars of an event or transaction; a story.
Cyntio was much taken with my narrative.
Prose
To write prose.
Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter.
Narrative
A message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program;
His narrative was interesting
Disney's stories entertain adults as well as children
Prose
Ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
Narrative
Consisting of or characterized by the telling of a story;
Narrative poetry
Prose
Matter of fact, commonplace, or dull expression
Common Curiosities
What is prose?
Prose is any form of language that does not have a structured meter, used in ordinary writing and speech.
What is a narrative?
A narrative is a structured way of telling a story or presenting a sequence of events.
Can narrative exist without prose?
No, narratives rely on prose to convey the story, though the prose used in narratives often follows specific storytelling structures.
How does the purpose of prose differ from that of a narrative?
Prose can serve various communication needs, from argumentation to exposition, whereas narrative primarily aims to tell a story.
Is all prose narrative?
No, prose can be used in non-narrative forms such as essays, journalistic writing, and academic papers.
What makes a good narrative?
A good narrative often includes a compelling plot, strong character development, and a clear theme.
Are there different types of narratives?
Yes, narratives can vary greatly, including personal narratives, historical narratives, and fictional stories.
How does narrative influence the structure of prose?
In narrative forms, prose tends to follow a structure that supports storytelling, such as building tension or character development.
Can prose be poetic?
Yes, prose can be poetic when it incorporates lyrical expressions and evocative imagery, though it remains non-metrical.
What is the role of characters in narrative?
Characters are central to narratives, driving the plot and engaging the reader through their actions and choices.
Can a text be prose but not tell a story?
Yes, texts like manuals, recipes, and legal documents use prose but do not necessarily tell a story.
What differentiates narrative prose from other types of prose?
Narrative prose is specifically tailored to convey a story, incorporating elements like plot and character that are not necessarily present in other types of prose.
How important is setting in a narrative?
The setting is crucial as it provides the backdrop against which the story unfolds and can influence the plot and characters.
How can one improve their narrative writing?
Improving narrative writing involves practicing elements like character development, plot structuring, and incorporating vivid descriptions.
How does one switch from writing narrative to non-narrative prose?
Switching involves focusing less on storytelling elements and more on informative, argumentative, or descriptive aspects depending on the purpose of the text.
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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
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
