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What Is a Prologue? Definition and Examples

Grammarly

Prologues have been a part of literature for centuries, yet the purpose and function of a prologue is often misunderstood. In this complete resource, we’ll explore everything you need to know about prologues, from their definition to the different types and their importance in writing. What is the purpose of a prologue?

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What Is a Prologue? Meaning and Examples

ProWritingAid

What is a prologue? A prologue is an introductory chapter before the actual story begins. Learn how to use prologues in your writing.

Writing 64
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Why Your Flashbacks Aren’t Working

Jane Friedman

Your story is and should be about the main real-time action of the story, not what led up to it. I’m looking at you , “cheat” flashback prologue. It can feel like a false promise, as readers may not understand what the actual story is about. Join her for the three-part online class Mastering Backstory for Novelists.

Post 84
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Why Prologues Get a Bad Rap

Jane Friedman

30, for the online class Powerful Prologues. Always avoid prologues!”. Agents hate prologues.”. Readers won’t read a prologue.”. The advice in the writerly ether concerning prologues is vast and … well, not varied. So what gives? Is there a cabal of rogue prologuers defying the injunction?

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How Do You Write a Preface? Definition and Examples

Grammarly

Your writing, at its best Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly What is a preface? Preface vs. prologue vs. foreword If you’re wondering how to write a preface, it’s important to keep in mind that a preface is not the same as a prologue or a foreword. A prologue is generally found in a work of fiction.

Writing 86
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The Flashback: A Greatly Misunderstood Storytelling Device

Jane Friedman

Along with prologues, adverbs, and semicolons, flashbacks may be the most vilified—and most misunderstood—of storytelling devices, ones that work only if they don’t seem like devices. Photo by Hadija on Unsplash Today’s post is by editor Tiffany Yates Martin ( @FoxPrintEd ). Join her on Wednesday, Oct. They’re the bogeymen of publishing.

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The How, When and Why of Writing Autofiction

Jane Friedman

With the lines of fact and fabrication blurred, readers are engaged in wondering what’s real, what isn’t, and how they can figure out which is which. Uncertainty: In a genre that blurs reality, there is an organic tension in the story over what’s real and what isn’t. First, let’s define the genre. Here are its features.

Writing 97