Many writing experts say there are four main types of prologue, involving a future protagonist, past protagonist, a different point of view and one which presents background.
What is a prologue a type of?
A prologue is a piece of writing found at the beginning of a literary work, before the first chapter and separate from the main story.
What is prologue and its examples?
Examples Of Prologue In Film
Prologue is a literary term, but it can also be applied to film. In film, a prologue occurs before the opening credits and is used to introduce the audience to the characters and story line. Sometimes it has a title like “Day 1” or “The Beginning” and is introduced with music to add drama.
What is the main function of a prologue?
A prologue is used to give readers extra information that advances the plot. It is included in the front matter and for a good reason! Authors use them for various purposes, including: Giving background information about the story.
What is the prologue called?
preface
prologue, a preface or introduction to a literary work. In a dramatic work, the term describes a speech, often in verse, addressed to the audience by one or more of the actors at the opening of a play.
What prologue means?
: the preface or introduction to a literary work. : a speech often in verse addressed to the audience by an actor at the beginning of a play. : the actor speaking such a prologue. 3. : an introductory or preceding event or development.
How do you start a prologue?
6 Tips for Writing a Prologue
- Provide backstory and set the scene for the story that follows.
- Hook the reader by hinting at what lies ahead.
- Write the prologue from a different point of view.
- Don’t use the prologue as an infodump.
- Keep it short to keep the reader interested.
What are the characteristics of a prologue?
A good prologue should:
- Provide some foreshadowing.
- Introduce a major character, even if only by name or in passing.
- Provide some vital information on a character’s backstory.
- Set the tone/feel for the rest of the story.
- Provide information on the world, conflict, time period, or inciting incident.
How many pages is a prologue?
The length of a prologue depends on the nature of the story, but it’s best to keep it trim. One to five pages should suffice.
How many words is a prologue?
between 1500 to 2500 words
The average length of a prologue is between 1500 to 2500 words long. As you can see, it is a little shorter than an actual chapter.
What should happen in a prologue?
A prologue should read exactly as if you were writing a short story without a true ending—your prologue should leave the reader questioning and curious. Note: Any questions you create in the prologue must be resolved by the end of your story.
What is the benefit of a prologue?
A prologue often sets up the story, giving readers a view of events that happened earlier, even years earlier, in the characters’ lives. A prologue can provide background, reveal what’s happened to get the characters to the current moment, establish the tone of the work, or introduce the theme.
What goes in a prologue?
The prologue in a book is always written by the author of the book. In the prologue, the author gives an introduction that sets the scene for the story to come. It is part of the book and should be read before chapter 1.
Who speaks in a prologue?
All right, let’s take a moment or two to review. The prologue to Romeo and Juliet is spoken entirely by the chorus. In Greek drama, the chorus consists of a group of people who serve to narrate throughout the play and provide more details of what the characters are thinking or feeling, and they often sing and dance.
What is the root of prologue?
The word “prologue” brings together the ancient Greek prefix “pro,” which means “forward,” or “before” and “logos,” which means “word” or “plan.” As this origin suggests, a prologue comes at the start of a literary work such as a play or a novel (or, if we stretch the term a bit, a YouTube playlist), and often serves
How do you end a prologue?
End With a Cliffhanger
The prologue shouldn’t include any resolution. You don’t want to solve any conflicts in this part of the book, but instead lure readers into needing to find the answer and therefore reading on. Any cliffhangers left in the prologue should be resolved somewhere in the book.
Does prologue start or end?
Prologue is put at the beginning of a story. It introduces the world described in a story and main characters. Epilogue is located at the end of a story. It describes events which happened after all the plots had been finished.
What comes before a prologue?
Most often found in nonfiction books or academic writing, a preface is a short introductory essay written from the point of view of the author. The author might use the preface to explain why they are qualified to write about the book’s subject matter.
Does prologue mean introduction?
Prologue – An introduction that sets the scene for the story to come.
What should you not do when writing a prologue?
Never write a prologue that has nothing to do with the story. Though a prologue shouldn’t be necessary to the story – you would be able to remove it without serious damage to the plot – it should have something to do with the plot. Never stick a random, exciting scene onto the beginning of your book.
Can a prologue be one paragraph?
1 Answer. It can be any length you want. Make sure it sets up your story so that the reader wants to read more.