Here's a breakdown of what it means:
* Ordinary language: It's the everyday language we use for communication. It's not poetry, drama, or song.
* Speaking or writing: Prose can be found in both spoken and written forms. Examples include novels, essays, articles, letters, and even everyday conversations.
* Non-poetic: Prose lacks the structured rhythms and rhymes typical of poetry. It is characterized by its natural flow and straightforward language.
In contrast to poetry, prose is characterized by:
* Lack of formal structure: It doesn't follow specific rules of meter, rhyme, or stanza.
* Directness: It conveys meaning in a clear and straightforward manner.
* Natural flow: It uses everyday language and sentence structure.
Examples of prose include:
* Novels: *Pride and Prejudice*, *To Kill a Mockingbird*
* Essays: *The Importance of Being Earnest* by Oscar Wilde
* Newspaper articles: Articles in The New York Times, The Guardian, etc.
* Emails: Personal or business correspondence
* Conversations: Everyday interactions with friends, family, or colleagues
In short, "prose" is the ordinary, straightforward language we use in most forms of writing and speaking.