I’m a writer blog

Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Does this qualify as a prelude or prologue?

What is prelude and prologue?

Also the events of the Prelude have a more wide ranging impact on the overall setting and story than the events of the Prologue which is an introduction to a particular character whose significance becomes apparent much later, and sets the story for some other significant characters into motion.

What is a prelude in a story?

A prelude is an introductory action, event, or performance that comes before a bigger or more momentous one. It is made of up the prefix pre- meaning “before,” and the Latin root ludere meaning “play.”

What is an example of a prologue?

The opening lines of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer are an example of a classic prologue.

Can a book have a prelude and introduction?

You absolutely can have both an introduction and a prologue. Both are concepts which are well-familiar to readers; they will not be confused by it. If you do have both, the Introduction comes first, before any of the fiction begins.

What is a prologue to a story?

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.

What is a prologue simple definition?

Definition of prologue
1 : the preface or introduction to a literary work. 2a : a speech often in verse addressed to the audience by an actor at the beginning of a play. b : the actor speaking such a prologue. 3 : an introductory or preceding event or development.

What’s the difference between an introduction and a prologue?

Prologue — A prologue is similar to an Introduction, and in my view it is really exactly the same. The difference is simply that if you write a Prologue, it makes sense to also write an Epilogue, while with an Introduction you don’t expect any type of closing to the book other than the last chapter.

How many words are in a prologue?

Some sites suggest no more than 1,000 words while others say up to 3,000 words is an adequate number. If it helps, my average chapter is about 1.5K words.

What is the beginning of a book called?

Front matter is the information that appears in the very beginning of a book. The front matter contains the nuts and bolts of the book’s publication—information such as title, author, publisher, ISBN, and Library of Congress data.

How do you write a prologue example?

How to Write a Prologue in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Introduce the main character(s). Some twentieth-century plays have used prologues to great effect. …
  2. Drop hints. Crime fiction and thrillers often make use of prologues to hint at characters, locations, and the mystery that is to come. …
  3. Add only relevant details.

What is a good prologue?

A good prologue should set the scene for the story to come. This may include: Introducing important characters and themes. Setting out backstory required to follow the main narrative.

How do you write a good prologue?

How to Write an Intriguing Prologue



  1. Reasons to Include a Prologue. Prologues are only used in fiction, but they can be used in books, plays, and screenplays. …
  2. Read Successful Prologue Examples. …
  3. Think of It Like a Short Story. …
  4. Trust Your Reader. …
  5. Start With a Hook. …
  6. Write in the Same Style. …
  7. Make It Stand Out. …
  8. Use Foreshadowing.

What is the main purpose of a prologue?

The main purpose of a prologue is to provide you with information that doesn’t fit into the rest of the story from the narrator or character’s point-of-view. For example, in Star Wars, the opening crawl prologue provides viewers with the conflict backstory for the fight of the rebels and the evil Galactic Empire.

How many words is a prologue?

Some sites suggest no more than 1,000 words while others say up to 3,000 words is an adequate number. If it helps, my average chapter is about 1.5K words.

How do you use prologue in a sentence?

Prologue in a Sentence 🔉

  1. The play’s prologue provides the audience members with insight into what they are about to watch.
  2. Because the prologue was so short, I had no idea what to expect from the novel.
  3. As a prologue occurs at the beginning of a novel or play, it should trigger the audience’s interest.