English Literature GCSE
Prose and Verse
What Prose and Verse means in English Literature GCSE, as defined for OCR.
Definition of Prose and Verse
Verse is poetic language with a regular rhythm (iambic pentameter), used by high-status characters and in moments of emotional intensity. Prose is ordinary speech without a metrical structure, often used by lower-status characters or for functional, everyday scenes.
Topics that use Prose and Verse
- The Merchant of Venice (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
Using Prose and Verse in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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