epistolary
In letter form
Epistolary describes something composed of or relating to letters—written correspondence.
An epistolary novel tells its story through letters exchanged between characters.
The form was popular in 18th-century fiction and has adapted to modern formats: The book unfolds through emails and text messages, a contemporary epistolary structure.
Written symbol or message
- missiveFormal letter sent
- postageFee for mailing
- stampMark-making device
- envelopeFolded paper enclosure
penpal · address · mailbox · postcard · stationery · letterhead · salutation · closing
New and unusual
- narrativeAccount of events
- fictionImagined narrative work
- proseUnversified language
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
first-person · unreliable narrator · voice · intimacy · confessional · Richardson · Pamela · Clarissa
Record of daily events
- memoirWritten personal recollection
- diaryPersonal daily record
- chronicleOrdered historical record
- autobiographySelf-penned life narrative
correspondence · collected letters · archive · biography · personal · confession · reminiscence · testament
Original text before publication
- scrollWound document of parchment
- codexAncient bound manuscript
- scriptoriumMonastery manuscript workshop
- chroniclerWriter of historical accounts
paleography · illuminated · dispatch · communique · diplomatic pouch · courier · herald · edict
Treated hide for manuscripts
- inkwellContainer for dipping pens
- quillFeather used for writing
- sealAuthentication stamp or mark
- waxPliable waterproof substance
calligraphy · penmanship · cursive · script · papyrus · vellum · fountain pen · blotter
letter
Written symbol or message
envelope · penpal · address · mailbox · postcard · stationery · letterhead · salutation · closing · signature
novel
New and unusual
storytelling · first-person · unreliable narrator · voice · intimacy · confessional · Richardson · Pamela · Clarissa · Dracula
journal
Record of daily events
autobiography · correspondence · collected letters · archive · biography · personal · confession · reminiscence · testament · primary source
manuscript
Original text before publication
- scrollWound document of parchment
- codexAncient bound manuscript
- scriptoriumMonastery manuscript workshop
chronicler · paleography · illuminated · dispatch · communique · diplomatic pouch · courier · herald · edict · proclamation
parchment
Treated hide for manuscripts
wax · calligraphy · penmanship · cursive · script · papyrus · vellum · fountain pen · blotter · letterpress
- genresaction, comedy, detective fiction, fantasy, horror
- literaturebooks, book, fiction, poetry, stories
- literary elementsplot, character, setting, theme, narrator
- literary devicesmetaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, alliteration
- literary termsmetaphor, character analysis, symbolism, prologue, epilogue
- conversation in 18th century English literaturedialogue, discourse, wit, repartee, letters
epistolaryoral
Of the mouth
verbal · spoken · face-to-face · conversational · in-person
epistolarystream-of-consciousness
Narrative of unfiltered thought
dramatic · dialogue-driven · memoir · linear narrative · traditional narrative
epistolarydramatic
Strikingly expressive or sudden
diaristic · third-person · omniscient · stream-of-consciousness · journalistic