in-universe
Within the story
In-universe describes facts, explanations, or perspectives that exist within a fictional world rather than outside it.
An in-universe reason for a character's absence might be illness, while the real reason is the actor quit.
The in-universe explanation is that Klingons always looked that way.
Contrasts with out-of-universe or meta explanations.
Sequence of fictional events
- continuityUninterrupted progression or coherence
- timelineOrdered display of events
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
worldbuilding · retcon · plot hole · established · official · canonical · consistent · contradiction
Originating within the fiction
- fourth wallInvisible stage-audience barrier
- narratorOne who tells events
- unreliable narratorStoryteller whose credibility wavers
- POVPerspective, for short
framing · in-world · dramatic irony · meta
Unconfirmed fan-created backstory
- retconRetroactive narrative revision
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- fanficUnofficial stories using existing characters
- theoriesExplanations based on evidence
speculation · wiki · deep dive · callbacks · references · crossover · fan theories
Tolerating fiction's implausibilities
- verisimilitudeAppearance of being factual
- believabilityCapacity to seem true
- consistencyReliable adherence to standards
- worldbuildingConstructing imaginary universes for fiction
detail · atmosphere · authenticity · plausibility · coherence · seamlessness · engagement · absorption
storyline
Sequence of fictional events
- continuityUninterrupted progression or coherence
- timelineOrdered display of events
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
backstory · worldbuilding · retcon · plot hole · established · official · canonical · consistent · contradiction · source material
diegetic
Originating within the fiction
- fourth wallInvisible stage-audience barrier
- narratorOne who tells events
- unreliable narratorStoryteller whose credibility wavers
POV · framing · in-world · dramatic irony · meta
headcanon
Unconfirmed fan-created backstory
- retconRetroactive narrative revision
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- fanficUnofficial stories using existing characters
theories · speculation · wiki · deep dive · callbacks · references · crossover · fan theories
suspension of disbelief
Tolerating fiction's implausibilities
- verisimilitudeAppearance of being factual
- believabilityCapacity to seem true
- consistencyReliable adherence to standards
worldbuilding · detail · atmosphere · authenticity · plausibility · coherence · seamlessness · engagement · absorption · transported
in-universeout-of-universe
Beyond the narrative frame
non-diegetic · meta · behind-the-scenes · IRL · authorial
in-universebehind-the-scenes
Hidden from public view
out-of-universe · real-world · in production · backstage · in development
in-universereal-world
Existing in physical reality
real-life · IRL · actual · factual · historical
universe, universal, universally, universality, universes, universalize, universalism, universalist