Prologue
/ˈproʊˌlɔːɡ/
nounB2
Definition
A prologue is a short section at the start of a story or play. It often tells important information from before the main story begins, helping the reader or audience understand what will happen. It is like a small introduction that prepares you for the story.
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⚡ See It in Action
Introduction at the beginning of a book, play, or story that gives background or sets the scene
- •The prologue explained the history of the kingdom before the story started.
- •Shakespeare's plays often have a prologue spoken by a character to introduce the story.
- •Before reading the main chapters, the prologue gave important information about the main character’s past.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "prologue" like "beginning," but it is a special part that comes before the main story starts.
- ✓Picture opening a book and reading a small story or explanation before the real story begins.
- ✓It's the feeling when a friend tells you a little secret or background before telling a big story.
- ✓Sounds like "PRO-log" → imagine a professional (PRO) starting a story with important info first.
- ✓In plays or movies, the prologue is like a short scene before the main scenes begin.
- ✓NOT like "chapter" (which is part of the main story), a prologue is outside or before the main chapters.
- ✓NOT like "introduction" in a school essay, which explains the topic; a prologue tells story background or sets mood.
- ✓NOT like "epilogue" (which comes at the end), a prologue always comes at the start.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Introduction: a general beginning that explains what will come (Use when you want a simple start without story details)
- •Preface: a short note before a book, often by the author (Use when the author talks about the book, not story background)
- •Foreword: a short text before a book, usually by someone else (Use when someone else introduces the book)
- •Opening: the start of a story or event (Use when talking about the first part but not a special separate section)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "pro-" (before) + "logue" (speech, word, from Greek "logos")
- •Etymology: From Greek "prologos," meaning "before word" or "before speech"
- •Historical development: Used in ancient Greek plays as a speech before the main action; later used in books and plays
- •Modern usage: Common in literature and drama to give background or prepare the audience before the main story starts
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does a prologue help you understand a story better before it begins?
•Can a prologue change how you feel about the story you are about to read or watch?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The prologue usually comes ___ the first chapter and gives ___ about the story.
2.In plays, the prologue is often spoken by a character to ___ the audience to the story.
3.Unlike a chapter, a prologue is a separate ___ that happens before the main story.
4.An author might use a prologue to share ___ information that helps the reader understand the main events.
5.The prologue is different from the epilogue because it appears ___ the story, not after.
6.Sometimes the prologue sets the ___ or mood for the entire story.
7.You can tell a prologue is important because it gives ___ that connects to the rest of the story.