Ch 6: AP English: Prose
About This Chapter
AP English: Prose - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
You might already be familiar with some types of prose. In fact, you've probably been assigned short stories or novellas to read in class, but did you know that myths and fables are also prose? What about letters? Use the videos included in this chapter to explore characteristics of everything from novels to some common forms of humor writing. Instructors can even help you examine techniques for analyzing their themes. By this chapter's end, you should be able to:
- Use tone, mood, foreshadowing and character to interpret a work's meaning
- Describe the differences in length between short stories, novellas and novels
- Identify the uses of fables, folktales, myths and legends
- Explain how letter and diary forms are used in fiction and non-fiction
- Differentiate between satire, parody and spoof
Video | Objectives |
---|---|
What Is Prose? - Finding Meaning in Foreshadowing & Character | Find out what distinguishes prose from poetry and drama. Explore how a work's foreshadowing and characterization can be used to explore its themes. |
Tone vs. Mood: Interpreting Meaning In Prose | Examine sample passages to learn the differences between tone and mood. Find out how they're used to convey meaning. |
Types of Fiction: Novels, Novellas & Short Stories | Discover the differences between a novel, novella and short story. |
The Fable, Folktale, Myth, Legend: Differences and Examples | Examine the different characters and subject matter found in fables, folktales, myths and legends. Outline their uses to entertain and instruct. |
Epistolary Writing: Letter and Diary Forms | Explain the fictional and non-fictional uses of epistolary forms of writing. Learn how epistolary fiction differs slightly from diary-based fiction. |
Satire, Parody or Spoof: Types of Humorous Writing | Understand the ways in which these three types of humor writing mock literary conventions. |

1. What is Prose? - Finding Meaning in Foreshadowing & Character
This literature lesson will teach you the difference between prose and other writing. You'll also learn how to analyze characters and foreshadowing to better understand the author's intentions, theme, and underlying meanings.

2. Types of Fiction: Novels, Novellas & Short Stories
Learn how fiction is organized by length into three categories: novels, novellas and short stories. Explore the general characteristics of each type, and learn about some famous examples.

3. The Fable, Folktale, Myth, Legend: Differences and Examples
In this lesson, learn about fables, folktales, myths and legends, stories that entertain and serve instructive or educational purposes. Discover how these types of stories differ from one another and about their prevalence throughout the world.

4. Epistolary Writing: Letter and Diary Forms
In this lesson, you will discover that prose writing can take on different formats, from letters and diary entries to newspaper clippings and interviews. Explore how writers of both non-fiction and fiction tell stories through these different forms.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the AP English Literature: Exam Prep course
- AP English: Literary Analysis Intro
- AP English: Interpreting Literature
- AP English: Literary Devices
- AP English: Poetry
- AP English: Types of Poetry
- AP English: Prose Fiction
- AP English: American Literary Periods and Movements
- AP English: Examples of American Literary Analysis
- AP English: English Literary Periods and Movements
- AP English: Examples of English Literary Analysis
- AP English: Grammar Review
- AP English: Sentence Basics
- AP English: Essay Basics: Types of Essay
- AP English - Essay Basics: Conventions in Essay Writing
- AP English: Beginning the Writing Process
- AP English: Writing & Structuring an Essay
- AP English: Writing Revision and Skill Development
- About the AP English Literature Test
- AP English Literature Flashcards