How to Write a Prologue: Tips for a Powerful Opening

You never get a second chance to make a first impression and books are no different! 

The opening of a book is your chance to captivate readers and stop them from setting your novel aside. Creating a strong beginning is crucial, and for some stories, a prologue can be the perfect tool to captivate readers right from the start.

Prologues have been used in literature for centuries – from classics like The Canterbury Tales to modern novels like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. When crafted thoughtfully, a prologue can provide essential context, set the tone, and spark curiosity that carries readers into the main story.

Ready to learn what a prologue is, why authors use it, and how to write a prologue that enhances your story? Let’s get started!

What Is a Prologue?

A prologue is a section at the very beginning of a book, before chapter one. It provides readers with important context or backstory that will enhance their understanding of the story that follows. Unlike the main narrative, a prologue can be set in a different time period, location, or even point of view. The information presented in a prologue usually becomes relevant as the story unfolds, giving readers an ‘insider’ perspective that shapes their experience of the main plot.

While not every book needs a prologue, it can be a valuable storytelling tool if you want to set the stage for a complex plot, establish a specific mood, or introduce background details that wouldn’t fit naturally within the main narrative.

Note: Don’t confuse these with epilogues, which go at the end of the story, after the main narrative has concluded.

Why Do Authors Use Prologues?

Authors use prologues for a variety of reasons, including:

1. Providing Backstory: A prologue can convey key information about the world, characters, or events that have led up to the main story. This is particularly useful in genres like fantasy or historical fiction, where understanding the setting or past conflicts is essential.

2. Foreshadowing: By hinting at important events or conflicts to come, a prologue can build suspense and intrigue. This technique engages readers early on and creates anticipation.

3. Establishing Tone or Theme: A prologue sets the tone or introduces themes that will be explored in the book. For example, a sombre prologue might signal a tragic or introspective story, while an action-packed opening sets up a more adventurous tale.

4. Presenting a Different Perspective: A prologue can have a point of view that readers won’t see again until later which can add an exciting twist. For example, revealing the antagonist’s thoughts before they cross paths with a main character or revealing a historical event that shapes the present story.

Famous Examples of Prologues

To understand the impact of a powerful prologue, let’s look at some examples in well known literary works.

1. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet opens with a prologue in the form of a sonnet, outlining the central conflict and the tragic fate of the ‘star-crossed lovers.’ This prologue not only foreshadows the events of the play but also sets the sombre tone, preparing the audience for, unfortunately, heartbreak to come.

2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The prologue in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo reveals a mysterious scene involving the arrival of a pressed flower, hinting at a long-running mystery. This seemingly small detail is filled with suspense, raising questions that won’t be answered until much later. By introducing this mystery, the prologue hooks readers from the beginning, pulling them into the investigation that forms the heart of the story.

3. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

In The Name of the Wind, the prologue sets a poetic, atmospheric tone with a passage called ‘A Silence of Three Parts’. Rather than giving a direct backstory, it describes the silence in the inn where the story begins, creating a sense of quiet tension as well as setting the scene for a world that’s both ancient and enchanted.

Tips for Writing a Prologue

If you want to write a great prologue, here are some tips to ensure it hook your readers: 

1. Keep It Relevant: A prologue should add essential information that enhances the main narrative. Avoid using it for details that can be naturally woven into the story or for background that doesn’t impact the plot.

2. Captivate the Reader: The prologue is your chance to captivate readers, so make it intriguing or suspenseful. Focus on creating an immediate sense of curiosity – something that will keep them turning pages to see how the story connects.

3. Keep It Concise: Prologues should be brief and concise. Aim to convey the necessary details or set the tone without overwhelming readers. The goal is to entice them, not overload them with information.

4. Consider a Different Point of View or Time: A prologue can be an opportunity to show a different character’s perspective or a glimpse of past events. This can add depth and intrigue by offering a contrast to the main narrative or highlighting events that shaped the story’s world.

5. Don’t Use the Prologue to Compensate for a Slow First Chapter: A prologue should enhance the story, not serve as a quick hook because the first chapter lacks excitement. If the prologue is gripping but the pace drops drastically in Chapter One, readers may feel misled or lose interest. So make sure your main story has a strong start on its own.

FAQs About Prologues

What’s the Difference Between a Prologue and a Foreword, or Introduction?

A prologue is part of the story itself, setting up the plot or introducing a key perspective to enhance the reader’s understanding as they move into the main narrative. It’s written from a character’s point of view or in the book’s tone.

An introduction is usually written by the author, offering insight into their purpose, process, or themes. It’s much more informative than the narrative, helping readers understand the author’s perspective or the book’s relevance.

A foreword is typically written by someone other than the author, often providing context, praise, or explaining the significance of the book. It’s more common in nonfiction or new editions of classics.

Are a Prologue and Preface the Same?

No, a prologue and a preface are not the same. A preface is separate from the story and is used by the author to discuss the book’s origins, inspiration, or writing process. Unlike an introduction, which may explain the book’s themes or relevance to readers, a preface is more personal and often explains why the author wrote the book or their experiences while creating it.

To Prologue or Not to Prologue? Final Thoughts

A prologue can be a great way to hook readers, add backstory, or set the mood for your story – but it’s not always necessary.

Think of it as an optional extra, like a bonus scene in a movie. If your story flows well without it, or your first chapter is weak, then you probably don’t need one and should focus on improving Chapter One. But if there’s something exciting, mysterious, or crucial that readers should know before the story starts, then a prologue will strengthen your story.