prologue
Before chapter one
A prologue is an introductory section to a literary or dramatic work, setting up the story that follows.
In ancient Greek drama, the prologue preceded the chorus's first entry.
More broadly, prologue describes any preliminary event: The skirmish was merely a prologue to full-scale war.
The verb means to introduce with a prologue.
Introductory book section
- forewordIntroductory book section
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- chapterDivision of a book
- preamblePreliminary statement before content
opening · backstory · exposition · narrator · storytelling · framing · setup · context
Point of creation
- inceptionFounding moment
- outsetInitial point of something
- dawnDay's first glow
- onsetStarting point of something
threshold · advent · foundation · groundwork · precursor · forerunner · harbinger · antecedent
Preliminary theatrical performance
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
- chorusSingers performing together
- stageRaised performance platform
- performanceCarrying out a task
drama · playwright · script · soliloquy · audience · scene · act · narrator
preface
Introductory book section
- forewordIntroductory book section
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- chapterDivision of a book
preamble · opening · backstory · exposition · narrator · storytelling · framing · setup · context · manuscript
genesis
Point of creation
onset · threshold · advent · foundation · groundwork · precursor · forerunner · harbinger · antecedent · lead-in
curtain-raiser
Preliminary theatrical performance
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
- chorusSingers performing together
- stageRaised performance platform
performance · drama · playwright · script · soliloquy · audience · scene · act · narrator · Shakespearean
overture
Introductory orchestral piece
- symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
- operaTheatrical art combining song
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
movement · score · composition · motif · introduction · fanfare · leitmotif · opus · libretto · aria
harbinger
One who foreshadows
foretoken · augury · signal · indicator · herald · prophecy · prefiguration · anticipation · hint · setup
- theatreBroadway, acting, theatre, stage, actor
- backstoryorigin story, origin, past, background, history
- openersbottle opener, can opener, corkscrew, church key, churchkey
- Greek TheaterGreek tragedy, tragedy, Greek drama, comedy, Sophocles
- Ancient TheaterGreek theater, Roman theater, theatron, skene, orchestra
- book beginningsforeword, preface, dedication, epigraph, introduction
prologueepilogue
Concluding literary section
epilog · afterword · postscript · envoi · envoy
prologueconclusion
End or deduction
ending · finale · end · finish · termination