What makes poetry different than prose?
a. poetry uses idioms and proverbs, while prose uses sound devices and figurative language.
b. poetry has sections that convey themes, while prose has stanzas that convey a central idea.
c. poetry has a rhythmic pattern that uses stressed and unstressed syllables, while prose uses paragraphs.
d. poetry has a rhythmic pattern that is common in everyday writing, while prose has a musical quality.

The correct answer is C. Poetry has a rhythmic pattern that uses stressed and unstressed syllables, while prose uses paragraphs.

Explanation:

Poetry and prose are two different types of writing styles. Prose refers to regular writing, in which information is organized in paragraphs, and there is not a specific rhythmic pattern. Also, in prose rhyme and other poetic devices are not common.

On the opposite, in poetry the information is organized in verses and stanzas; besides this, poetry has a rhythmic pattern or meter which means each verse has a specific number and combination of syllables. This implies one of the most important elements that define poetry is a rhythmic pattern and thus, the correct answer is "Poetry has a rhythmic pattern that uses stressed and unstressed syllables, while prose uses paragraphs".