i. what is a prologue?
A foreword is a brief introduction to a book that is usually written by someone other than the author (but can be written by the author himself). provides some kind of information about the author and the book itself, either through the writer’s personal or professional relationship with the author; or, through the writer’s connection to the topic or field. By writing a foreword, a person gives their approval or support for the book and its author. Therefore, when choosing a writer for a foreword, an author tries to get the “best” person he can to introduce him and her work.
The term prologuecomes from the prefix fore, which means “before” or “before”, combined with word, so it literally means “before the word” or “before the word” . .” that makes it easy to remember its purpose: it comes before the main words of a book or other literary work! prologues are found in all genres of literature and for both fiction and non-fiction works; But, a foreword itself is always non-fictional, as it presents factual information that reflects on the author, his work, and the author of the foreword.
You are reading: Examples of forwards in books
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ii. prologue example
Here is an example of a passage from the prologue of a memoir:
From the first time I met Anna in first grade, I knew she was going to be a star. she had all the makings of a high-flying, glamorous celebrity: every story she told was a performance, every outfit was complete with sparkly accessories, and every time we parted she would blow me a lip-smacking kiss accompanied by a supermodel salute. she embodied the superstar image with class, charisma, and most importantly, authenticity. Today, as I write this foreword to her captivating memoir, I am sharing words I always hoped (and in many ways knew) I would have the opportunity to write.
Here, the writer introduces the author of the memoir and talks about their personal relationship. She gives readers an insightful look at her perception of her famous friend, backing up the work by sharing that it’s something she always knew would be written and definitely should be read.
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iii. importance of prologues
The most important function of a foreword is to support the author and his work. a foreword by a famous or well-known person can really help promote a new book. when it’s written by someone the audience knows (such as a specialist in a field or a famous author in the same genre), it shows support for the author and, in turn, tells potential readers that the book is worth reading. /p>
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iv. examples of prologue in literature
example 1
In her first novel, The Bluest Eye, author Toni Morrison wrote a deeply insightful foreword that shares her feelings about the book, its inspiration, and its goals. here is an excerpt:
The origin of the novel is in a conversation I had with a childhood friend. we had just started elementary school. he said he wanted blue eyes. I looked around to imagine her with them and he violently repelled me at what I imagined he would look like if he fulfilled his wish. the pain in her voice seemed to beg for sympathy, and I pretended for her, but, stunned by the desecration she proposed of her, I “got mad” at her instead.
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morrison shares the earliest inspiration for his novel, which surprisingly dates back to his elementary school days. she also hints at the novel’s title by sharing the story of her friend’s wish for blue eyes.
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example 2
for his 1938 novel kanthapura, writer raja rao was asked by publishers to provide a foreword to the book, which is now well known for its poetic and descriptive quality. here is a selection:
There is no village in India, however humble, that does not have a rich sthala-purana, or legendary history, of its own. some god or divine hero has passed through the village – rama might have rested under this papal tree, sita might have dried her clothes, after her bath, on this yellow stone, or the mahatma himself, on one of his many pilgrimages through from the countryside, he could have slept in this hut, the low one, next to the village gate. thus the past mixes with the present, and the gods mix with men to make your grandmother’s repertoire always brilliant. one of those stories from the contemporary annals of my people that I have tried to tell.
As you can see, Rao’s writing is personal and insightful, presenting the background of the story he has “tried to tell” in his book.
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v. examples of prologue in pop culture
example 1
for the launch of the new 2009 edition of maya angelou’s beloved novel i know why the caged bird sings, public figure oprah winfrey wrote a very personal foreword. this is how it starts:
I was fifteen when I found out I know why the caged bird sings. it was a revelation. he had been a voracious reader since third grade, but for the first time, here was a story that finally touched my heart. i was amazed how could this author, maya angelou, have the same life experiences, the same feelings, longings, perceptions, as a poor black girl from mississippi, like me?
Here, Winfrey shares her first experience with the novel with readers. she shows how it affected her deeply and how it worked as a “revelation” for her. With her words, Winfrey is encouraging other readers to take the journey with the novel as she did in her youth.
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example 2
2015 autobiography of nba basketball player caron butler: my journey from the streets to the nba includes a foreword by basketball legend kobe bryant, who shares his insights on butler and their relationship both in and out of the game. court:
When we signed Caron Butler in a trade before the 2002-03 season, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak gave him my phone number and Caron called me right away.
“It’s good to have you,” I said. “ready to go to work?”
he was ready. From the moment he stepped onto the pitch at our el Segundo training site, he was fully focused, his competitiveness and no-nonsense attitude evident in everything he was asked to do.
That’s all I needed to see. that’s all I need to see from a teammate to appreciate it.
Here, Bryant begins his prologue by immediately proving that his former teammate is worth reading about: focused, personable, and hard-working. By getting a very famous player to endorse his story, Butler essentially guaranteed that his book would be read by both fans.
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vi. related terms
preface
A preface is a brief excerpt written by the author himself. it usually provides details about how and why the book was written and the purpose of the work in general, and may include other personal words, such as thanks and acknowledgements.
introduction
an introduction provides explanatory or background information and details that will help the reader better understand the work of literature. it is informational rather than personal, and is usually written by the author or publisher of the work.