Foreword, preface, introduction, or prologue which one. The word epilogue comes from the greek epilogos, which means conclusion word. In the words of renowned typographer jan tschichold 19021974, book design, though largely forgotten today, relies upon methods and rules upon which it is impossible to improve, and which have been. If you are planning to write an epilogue, make sure that it is written in the same voice and style as the rest of your novel. The purpose of an epilogue is to help flesh out what happens after the story is done.
Afterword definition, a concluding section, commentary, etc. The epilogue is a literary device used to describe characters in the story. An epilogue is a passage or speech which is added to the end of a book or play as a. The epilogue in harry potter and the deathly hallows counts as one of the most famous book endings in literary history. The definition of a prologue is something that comes before an introduction to a book or play, or may be an action or situation that leads to something else. A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers.
Epilogue meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Rowling controversially used this device to end her harry potter series. Book design is the art of incorporating the content, style, format, design, and sequence of the various components and elements of a book into a coherent unit. Epilogue definition is a concluding section that rounds out the design of a. It may be only one scene or several scenes, but it must have some sort of impact on the story. The epilogue in a book is an optional component, but one that may offer essential information. Sometimes, the word is used to refer to the moral of a fable. It always comes at the end of a literary work and is therefore the opposite of a prologue, which always comes at the beginning. And if you want an epilogue, you want a prologue rather than an introduction. If you do add one, do it in the right way to make sure your readers come away with a satisfactory experience. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the book thief and what it means. The epilogue definition is a chapter or segment that comes after the main. Have you ever come to the end of a novel and thought there was something missing. Except the epilogue comes after the main narrative.
Fortinbras speaks the epilogue in shakespeares hamlet. A short poem or speech spoken directly to the audience following the conclusion of a play. It can also be used to set up details for a sequel, or it can be used as a platform for the. An epilogue always takes place in the future, after the main events of your story have happened. Not every story needs an epilogue, so do not feel compelled to add one. There is the infamous epilogue of the movie animal house, in which stopaction frames of the characters contain comic captions describing what happened to them. Prologues and epilogues go together like book ends. A visual novel can also feature a type of epilogue, which will wrap up all of the. Epilogue definition in the cambridge english dictionary. An epilogue satisfies this curiosity, leaving the reader informed and fulfilled. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. The purpose of an epilogue is to provide commentary or additional information after the conclusion of the text.
His final years were a peaceful epilogue to a life of adventure. Define epilogue opposite of a prologue definition of. An epilogue is a concluding section essentially an extra chapter that comes at the very end of a piece of literature, usually a novel or play. I wonder how things worked out after the main story ended. Rowling book harry potter and the deathly hallows, the seventh and final book in the harry potter series. Doing this ensures consistency which your reader will appreciate. Typically the epilogue complements the tone and mood you have already established, especially if you end the main text on a high note or a climax. Adopt a similar tone in the epilogue so it flows well and leaves the reader satisfied. While not all epilogues feature magical wizards on platform 9 34, they do help close the. Epilogue examples and definition of epilogue literary devices. How to write an epilogue for your novel 2020 masterclass.
Information and translations of epilogue in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Epilogue definition, a concluding part added to a literary work, as a novel. So if you think your book could use some type of short ending beyond your last chapter, covering final thoughts on the topic or perhaps a glance into the future of your topic, you therefore want an epilogue. An epilogue or epilog from greek epilogos, conclusion from epi, in addition and logos, word is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature, usually used to bring closure to the work. It is still considered part of the story, and might. In it, a writer may provide a reason for writing the book, and detail the. Definition of epilogue noun from the oxford advanced american dictionary. An epilogue comes at the end of a text, and it provides a comment or reflection on what has occurred in the text.
The term epilogue carries slightly different meanings in nondramatic and dramatic works. Make sure the epilogue fits the tone of the rest of the book. It brings the audience into the potter future, giving people a glimpse of how the characters lives turn out. Epilogue a concluding part added to such a literary work as a novel, play, or long poem. In the former, the epilogue is the conclusion or final part that serves typically to round out or complete the design of the work. An epilogue is the opposite of a prologue, which comes at the beginning and provides background information prior to the story. It is presented from the perspective of within the story. The author had a wonderful marriage, and in the year following her husbands death was nearly paralyzed by griefwhile simultaneously on the hunt for mr. Have you ever read a good book and when you get to the end of the story, thats the last page. This can usually be found at the beginning of the story in a nonfiction or fiction novel. An epilogue pronounced ehpihlog is an optional final chapter of a story, such as in a play or book, and which may serve a variety of purposesconcluding or bringing closure to events, wrapping up loose ends, reporting the eventual fates of characters after the main story, commenting on the events that have unfolded, and or setting. Writing an epilogue can be useful as long as you do it right.
Rowling showed her central characters when they were much older after the series main conflict resolves. Rowling includes an epilogue that is set 19 years after the conclusion of the story. It comes after the final chapter of a story and is typically titled simply epilogue though sometimes its referred to as a chapter. How to write an epilogue for a novel pen and the pad. Definition, usage and a list of epilogue examples in common speech and literature.
Epilogue, a supplementary element in a literary work. You can use it to wrap up any loose ends, showing what happens to certain characters. An epilogue lets them know how the future turns out for them. Do you ever sit there wondering i wonder what happened to the main characters. I was eager to read it because the prospect of widowhood ever overwhelms me. So the grossout king, john blutarsky, becomes a united states senator. Epilogue definition of epilogue by the free dictionary. A summary of epilogue in markus zusaks the book thief. In a book, an epilogue can be used to reveal the fates of the characters. In the case of the catcher in the rye, holden caulfield is the first person narrator throughout the book as well as in the epilogue. An epilogue is a chance to reveal whats become of them.