A prologue and epilogue are two parts of a story that appear at the beginning and end, respectively. They can add structure to a narrative and provide essential information to orient readers as well as provide background detail, foreshadowing, and exposition about the plot.
The purpose of a prologue is to provide necessary context for the story and introduce important background information. It can also introduce characters, establish the setting, reveal important backstory, and introduce conflicts. The prologue is distinct from the novel in that it’s not told from the point-of-view of any particular character, but it’s written in the same style as the rest of the novel.
The purpose of an epilogue is to tie up any loose ends and provide closure to the story. It can provide a sense of finality and can allow the author to add additional detail. It can also provide a glimpse into the future, often explaining how the characters are doing after the story’s events.
Prologues and epilogues can be a great tool for showing rather than telling, and adding depth and complexity to a story. They can also help draw readers in by providing a brief history that can inform the rest of the story. Whether you choose to have a prologue and epilogue in your story or not is up to you, however, if you do plan on using them make sure that they serve a purpose and don’t just fill up space.
