Prose needs to be defined first of all. According to most dictionaries and literature resources, prose is the ordinary form of written language which is not poetry, drama, or song. Prose is one of the major genres of literature that occurs in two forms: fiction and non-fiction. Prose expresses thought through language recorded in sentences and paragraphs.

Note that prose includes fiction (short stories, novels) and non-fiction (articles, essays, journals, biographies, autobiographies, memoirs). It does not include poetry, drama, or lyrics, which are genres in themselves. Non-fiction prose can be divided into three kinds: narration, description, and exposition.

Most scholastic reading and writing is expository, explaining. In general such writing answers the questions how and why. Many news articles are also expository. Essays are often expository as are business letters, doctors