In general, literature is divided into three major branches: prose, poetry, and drama. Each branch has its own uniqueness, function, and beauty. Beyond entertainment, literary works also become a medium for expressing feelings, finding inspiration, understanding moral values, and even expanding vocabulary and perspectives.

So, let us talk about them one by one, starting with prose.

1. Prose

Prose is a form of language that follows natural speech and ordinary grammatical structure rather than rhythmic or patterned arrangements. In simple terms, prose is the type of writing we most commonly encounter in daily life because it flows naturally like conversation.

Prose itself can generally be divided into two categories based on historical development: old prose and modern prose.

a. Old Prose

Old prose refers to literary works that were not heavily influenced by Western culture. In the beginning, many of these stories were passed down orally before eventually being written. Old prose includes forms such as tales, legends, myths, fables, folklore, and historical stories.

These works usually contain fantasy elements, stories about kingdoms, heroic figures, or supernatural events. Most of them also have anonymous authors because they belonged collectively to society rather than to one individual writer.

b. Modern Prose

Modern prose developed after Western literary influence entered Indonesia. It emerged when people began feeling that traditional prose styles were no longer fully relevant to changing times and social realities.

Modern prose includes novels, short stories, essays, biographies, and romances. Compared to old prose, modern prose tends to focus more on realistic human experiences and social life.

Differences Between Old and Modern Prose

Old Prose

• Static and slow to change
• Palace-centered or royal-centered
• Fantastic and imaginative
• Influenced by Hindu and Arabic literature
• Usually anonymous

Modern Prose

• Dynamic and rapidly changing
• People-centered and socially oriented
• More realistic in nature
• Influenced by Western literature
• The author’s identity is clearly known

2. Poetry

Poetry is a literary form used to express thoughts and feelings imaginatively by maximizing the beauty and power of language. Unlike prose, poetry places stronger emphasis on aesthetics, rhythm, imagery, repetition, and emotional depth.

Poetry is also divided into two forms: old poetry and modern poetry.

A. Old Poetry

Old poetry is still strongly tied to traditional rules. These rules regulate the number of words, syllables, rhyme patterns, and lines in each stanza. Examples include mantra, pantun, gurindam, karmina, and talibun.

Characteristics of old poetry include:

• Often categorized as folk literature
• Anonymous authors
• Strong structural rules
• Originally spread orally
• Commonly discusses kingdoms, legends, or fantasy themes

B. Modern Poetry

Modern poetry, on the other hand, is much freer. It is no longer strictly bound by traditional poetic rules such as rhyme schemes or syllable counts. Modern poetry gives writers greater flexibility in expressing emotions and ideas.

Examples include ballads, hymns, odes, elegies, satires, romances, and epigrams.

Characteristics of modern poetry include:

• The author is clearly known
• Distributed both orally and through writing
• More flexible in structure
• Themes often revolve around human life and modern experiences
• Uses more dynamic language and expression

Elements of Poetry

Poetry becomes powerful because of the elements that build it. Some important elements include:

1. Rhyme and Rhythm
   Sound patterns that create musicality within the poem.
2. Imagery
   Words that stimulate sensory experiences such as sight, hearing, or feeling.
3. Diction
   The poet’s careful choice of words.
4. Concrete Words
   Words that create vivid mental images through the senses.
5. Language Style
   The use of figurative language and expressions that strengthen meaning and emotional effect.
6. Typography
   The visual arrangement of the poem on the page, including spacing, line breaks, and punctuation.

All these elements help transform simple words into something more emotional and meaningful.

3. Drama (Play)

According to the dictionary, drama is a composition in prose or poetry that presents life and human character through dialogue and action. In simpler terms, drama is a story specifically designed to be performed on stage.

Several experts also define drama differently. Joseph T. Shipley described drama as a performance that relies on expression, while Tjahyono defined it as an art form that presents human life through movement and dialogue.

Structure of Drama

A drama has a structure that builds the flow of the story. These include:

1. Round
   A section or sequence of events occurring within a certain setting and time.
2. Scene
   A smaller division within a round, usually marked by changes in events or character movement.
3. Dialogue
   Conversations between characters that drive the story forward.
4. Prologue
   The opening section introducing the story, usually delivered by a narrator.
5. Epilogue
   The closing section containing conclusions or final reflections about the story.

Types of Drama

Drama can also be categorized based on presentation style, such as:

• Tragedy
• Comedy
• Opera
• Tragicomedy
• Melodrama
• Tableau
• And many others

Well, I think that is enough discussion about the branches of literature for now. I hope this article can help anyone who wants to understand the basics of prose, poetry, and drama. For deeper understanding, of course, books, discussions, and literary communities will always provide richer experiences.

And honestly, I am not an expert either, so feel free to correct me if there are mistakes in this writing.

In the next part, I want to discuss the “body” of literature itself — the elements hidden inside literary works. What are those elements? How important are they? And honestly… is it cool to discuss them?

Well, let us find out later.***