Writing about ropes (5)
I believe the answer is:
prose
'writing' is the definition.
(ordinary writing as opposed to poetry)
'about ropes' is the wordplay.
'about' is an anagram indicator.
'ropes' with letters rearranged gives 'PROSE'.
(Other definitions for prose that I've seen before include "Ropes (anag.)" , "Normal written language" , "Gossipy talker" , "Writings not in verse" , "Ordinary writing" .)