But, the tradition of the prologue is much older than the current New York Times Bestseller List. In this helpful guide, you will have a chance to learn:
- What is the prologue of a book?
- What role does it play in your manuscript?
- How to construct an effective prologue?
- And when you might be inclined to reconsider writing one.
- Examples of excellent prologues.
What Is a Prologue in a Book?
A prologue is an introductory section of a literary work that provides background information about the story or characters. It is typically found at the beginning of a book or play before the main narrative begins.
Important to Know
The prologue and preface are not the same thing. A prologue is part of the narrative itself, often setting the stage for the main story by providing background information or introducing key characters. A preface, on the other hand, is a more meta-textual element, usually written by the author to address the reader directly. It might explain the author’s intentions, acknowledge contributors, or provide context for the book’s creation.
The use of prologues has a long history, dating back to ancient Greek drama.
In ancient Greek plays, the prologue often served as a crucial device to introduce the plot, characters, and themes to the audience. Think about Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. In this play, the prologue is spoken by a priest who addresses Oedipus, the King of Thebes. The priest explains the dire situation of the city, plagued by a mysterious illness and suffering. He pleads with Oedipus to intervene and save the city.
The purpose of this prologue is to:
- Establish the setting and situation: It immediately immerses the audience in the crisis facing Thebes.
- Introduce the central conflict: The plague and its unknown cause become the central problem that Oedipus must solve.
- Create tension and anticipation: The priest’s plea and the desperate situation of the city raise questions about Oedipus’s ability to resolve the crisis.
- Set the stage for Oedipus’s tragic journey: The prologue foreshadows the tragic events that will unfold as Oedipus seeks the truth about his identity and destiny.
What Role Can Prologue Play?
That seamlessly transitions us to this important question – what is the role of prologue in a story?
A prologue serves several key roles, which include:
Of course, all of these narration elements serve specific goals. A prologue can be a powerful introduction to the world and the main intrigue, but only if you know exactly why you’re choosing to include one.
A good prologue can:
Capture the Attention of a Reader
The prologue can be viewed as an appetizer before the main dish. It’s something to build up the suspense, a tasty treat that leaves the audience wanting more.
A good prologue can introduce mystery and pose more questions than provide answers. A lot depends on the type of story you’re writing. This strategy works particularly well in great adventure, fantasy, and mystery novels.
You can unveil a surprising fact or twist that immediately grabs attention or hints at future events or dangers lurking in the shadows.
Let You Play with Pacing and Structure
A prologue can also be a powerful tool for enhancing the pacing and structure of a book. One way to utilize a prologue is to introduce a flashback or flash-forward, creating a more complex and engaging narrative structure.
A prologue can hint at a secondary plot line that will intertwine with the main story later on. Of course, a prologue can provide essential world-building information, setting the stage for the main story. This can help the reader understand the setting and its rules, making the narrative more cohesive.
Include Crucial Foreshadowing
A prologue is a great place to introduce a mysterious character, object, or event that will become central to the plot later on. Subtly hinting at future events or plot twists that will unfold later will leave the readers more engaged with your story.
A prophecy or prediction can be presented in the prologue, foreshadowing a specific outcome or challenge that the characters will face.
When To Write the Prologue (And When Not To)?
Here’s what every aspiring writer needs to hear at least once – prologues are not always necessary. Their effectiveness can vary depending on the story and how they are used.
All of this means that if you’re including a prologue just to have one, it can actually ruin the reader’s experience instead of enhancing it.
How to Know If Your Story Needs a Prologue?
- Consider Genre: Prologues are common in thrillers/mysteries/suspense and historical fiction. All of these genres have some important commonalities, such as complex storylines or mystery at the center. That’s where your prologue can really set things into motion. Now we don’t say other genres can’t include prologues, but we do say: think about the role your prologue plays in the story and if it’s actually adding anything new or interesting to it.
- Think About the Hook: This is the continuation of our last point. If your prologue doesn’t have a strong, memorable moment to hook the reader, you may want to take another look at it or remove it entirely. There is nothing worse than writing a boring prologue. If you don’t have a good idea for one, it’s better to just skip it.
- Pay Attention to the Length: The main characteristic of most prologues is their succinct nature. If the prologue you’re constructing is close in length to your chapters, that may mean it is one.
- Can this be a chapter instead? Ask yourself that. A prologue should be a distinctive element in the story. If you’re writing it from the POV of a character that we meet later on the pages, is the prologue necessary? Am I utilizing this space to introduce information that can’t be revealed later on in a more interesting way? Be critical of your own ideas, even if it’s hard.
Tips for Writing an Effective Prologue
So, how do you write an excellent prologue? Here are a handful of tips you may find useful!
1. Hook the Reader
Hint at mysteries, conflicts, or secrets that will be explored later. This will pique the reader’s curiosity and encourage them to continue reading. Also, be mindful of the pacing. Considering most prologues are on the shorter side, you don’t want to include too many details that will significantly slow down the action.
2. Be Concise
That directly follows our last paragraph. A prologue should be brief and impactful. Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations. Make sure you’re leaving room for discovery, too! Don’t reveal too much too soon. Allow the main story to unfold naturally.
Pro Tip
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3. Differentiate from the Main Story
Just as we mentioned earlier, a prologue should bring something fresh to the table. Consider using a different point of view or time period to offer a fresh perspective on the story. Remember – don’t simply rehash information that will be covered in the main story. That will make them redundant later on and make the prologue unnecessary.
Examples of Good Prologues
Now that you know the theory, it’s time to dive deep into some great examples of even greater prologues.
- “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak – Told from the perspective of Death itself, this prologue is effective because it immediately grabs the reader’s attention with its unusual narrator. It also sets the stage for the story by introducing Liesel and hinting at the major events that will take place. Death says that he has been following Liesel for a while, and he is curious to see what will happen to her. So is the reader.
- “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien – The prologue of “The Lord of the Rings” is a concise yet powerful summary of the history of Middle-earth, focusing on the creation and corruption of the Rings of Power. It highlights the immense power of the One Ring and its ability to dominate all others. It also introduces the concept of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, who fought against Sauron and temporarily defeated him. It establishes the rich history and mythology of Middle-earth, providing a foundation for the subsequent events of the story.
- “A Game of Thrones” by George R. R. Martin – The prologue of “A Game of Thrones” introduces the reader to the harsh and mysterious world beyond the Wall, known as the Haunted Forest. Three rangers from the Night’s Watch, Will, Gared, and Waymar Royce, are on patrol when they encounter a group of dead wildlings, seemingly frozen to death. However, there’s something unnatural about their deaths, hinting at a more sinister force at work. The prologue leaves the reader with unanswered questions about the Others, their origins, and their ultimate goals, encouraging further exploration of the world and its mysteries.
Final Thoughts
And this is it. Writing an effective prologue is an art and one that can be incredibly useful to master. We wish you all the luck in constructing engaging, well-thought-out prologues that do your story justice.
Meanwhile, if you want to expand your skill set, don’t hesitate to check out our expert writing tips and resources! At Voxtury, we’re happy to support your writing journey, from getting a brilliant idea for a book all the way to publishing your first manuscript.
