The Differences Among

Poetry, Prose, and

Drama
Group 4
 Poetry
01. Definition
Poetry is any kind of verbal or written language that is structured
rhythmically and is meant to tell a story, or express any kind of
emotion, idea, or state of being. Poetry is used to achieve this
artistic expression in several ways.
02. Structure of Poetry
Enjambment
Poetic Line
When there is no
The words that form a written or natural pause
single line of poetry. at the end of a poetic
line, so that the word-
flow carries over to the
Stanza next line.
A section of a poem
named for the number
of lines it contains.
 Capitalization and Verse
Punctuation
A line in traditional
In poetry, rules of poetry that is written
capitalization and in meter.
punctuation are not
always followed;
instead, they are at the Placement
service of the poet’s
The way words and
artistic vision.
poetic lines are
placed on the page
of a poem.
03. Sounds in Poetry
Rhythm The basic beat in a line of a poem.

Meter A pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in

a line of poetry.

Rhyme Scheme A pattern of rhyme in a poem.

Internal Rhyme Same or similar sounds at the end of words within a line.
End Rhyme Same or similar sounds at the end of words that finish
different lines.

Assonance The repetition of vowel sounds within words in a line.

Consonance The repetition of consonant sounds within words
in a line.

Alliteration The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning

of words.
Onomatopoeia Words that sound like their meaning.
Repetition Sounds, words, or phrases that are repeated to add
emphasis or create rhythm. Parallelism is a form of
repetition.
Refrain A line or stanza repeated over and over in a poem or
song.

Word Play To play with the sounds and meanings of real or

invented words.
04. Elements of Fiction
Setting
The time and place
Point of View
The person narrating
Tone and Vioce
The distinctive,
idiosyncratic way of telling
the poem/story
Style
The way a writer uses words
to craft a story/poem
Mood
The feelings and emotions
the writer wants the reader
to experience.
Plot
The series of events
Theme
The main topic
Message
The values the author wants
to convey to reader
Conflict
The problem or situation
faced by characters
Characterization
The development of the
characters
Dialect
The particular style of speaking
of the narrator or character
Dialogue
The conversation between
characters
 Prose
01. Definition
Samuel Coleridge said that prose as words in their best order,
while poetry is the best words in the best order. Gross (1998),
Prose is the ordinary form of spoken or written language, it fulfils
innumerable functions, and it can attain many different kinds of
excellence.
02. Types of Prose
Non-Fictional
A literary work that is mainly
based on fact. Although it
may contain fictional
elements in certain cases.
Fictional
A literary work of fiction
Heroic
A literary work that may be
written down or recited and
employs many of the
formulaic expressions found
in oral tradition
Prose poetry
A literary hybrid which is
poetry written in prose form
03. Functions of Prose
Fulfill a story’s promise
To convey an idea, deliver information, or tell a story.

Create a voice
Using prose in different ways helps writers craft and show off this voice.

Builds rapport through familiarity

Prose is often conversational in tone. This familiarity helps connect
readers to a story and its characters.
04. Examples of Prose
Prose in Novels
Usually written in “It was a bright cold
the form of a day in April, and the
narrative and may clocks were striking
be entirely a thirteen.”
figment of the 1984 – George Orwell
author’s
imagination.

“As for the marriage laws, they
are due for a sweeping reform,
and an excellent beginning
would be to wipe the existing
ones off the books.”
– Shirley Chisholm
Prose in Speeches
Expresses thoughts
and ideas of the
speaker, usually
persuasive and suits
the occasion to convey
a specific message.
 Prose in Plays
It is aims to be dramatic
and eventful, often in “You can be young
conversational mode without money, but you
and is delivered by a can’t be old without it.”
character.
“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”
– Tennessee Williams
 Drama
01. Definition
Drama is a mode of fictional representation through dialogue and
performance. It is one of the literary genres, which is an imitation of
some action. Drama is also a type of a play written for theatre,
television, radio, and film. In simple words, a drama is a composition
in verse or prose presenting a story in pantomime or dialogue. It
contains conflict of characters, particularly the ones who perform in
front of audience on the stage.
02. Types of Drama

1. Musical 4. Melodrama

3. Tragedy

2. Farce 5. Comedy
03. Function of Drama
Since drama uses spoken words and dialogues, thus
language of characters plays a vital role, as it may give
clues to their feelings, personalities, backgrounds, and
change in feelings. In dramas the characters live out a
story without any comments of the author, providing the
audience a direct presentation of characters’ life
experiences.
04. Example of Drama
Much Ado About Nothing 
By William Shakespeare

It is the most frequently performed Shakespearian comedy in

modern times. The play is romantically funny, in that love
between Hero and Claudio is laughable, as they never even get a
single chance to communicate on-stage until they get married.
Their relationship lacks development and depth. They end up
merely as caricatures, exemplifying what people face in life
when their relationships are internally weak.
 The Differences
The differences between prose, poetry and drama stems from their
composition.
Poetry is composed in lines, call d verses arranged into stanzas.
Prose is written in paragraphs and mostly narrative language, it is also
mostly arranged into chapters.
While drama is basically written into acts and scenes.
Thank You!