PROLOGUE.

A prologue is an introductory section of a literary work that provides background

information about the story or characters. It is typically found at the beginning of a book
or play, before the main narrative begins. But what exactly is a prologue, and what is its
purpose in writing?

The term prologue comes from the Greek word prologos, which means “before the
word.”

The word prologue is pronounced as pro-log, with the emphasis on the first syllable.

What is the purpose of a prologue?

The purpose of a prologue is to provide background information or context about the

story, characters, or setting. It can also set the tone or mood for the work, introduce the
main themes, or foreshadow events that will occur later in the story.

A well-written prologue can capture a reader’s attention and draw them into the story.
It can provide essential context and background information that sets the stage for the
main narrative.

What are the different types of prologues?

There are several different types of prologues, including character prologues, setting
prologues, and thematic prologues. Four common ones include the following types:

Future protagonist: This prologue gives readers a glimpse into what the main
character will become in the future.

Past protagonist: This type introduces readers to the protagonist’s past experiences or
background.

Different point of view: This prologue is written from the perspective of a character
other than the protagonist.

Background: This prologue provides historical or contextual information that sets the
stage for the story.

Prologue vs. epilogue

A prologue and an epilogue serve different purposes in a literary work. While a
prologue comes before the main narrative and provides context or background
information, an epilogue comes after the main narrative and provides closure or a sense
of resolution. A prologue can set the stage for the story, introduce themes, and provide
essential context, while an epilogue can tie up loose ends, offer final thoughts, or
provide a glimpse into the future. Understanding the difference between these two
elements can help readers better appreciate the structure and meaning of a book or
other literary work.

Prologue vs. preface

A prologue is often used in literature to introduce the story and set the scene for what is
to come. It can provide background information or context that is necessary for the
reader to understand the story. A preface, on the other hand, is typically written by the
author and can provide insight into the writing process or the inspiration behind the
story. Although both serve as introductions, the prologue is focused on the story itself,
while the preface is focused on the author’s perspective.

Prologue vs. prelude

A prologue is used to provide context and background information that’s crucial for the
reader to understand the story. Conversely, a prelude serves as a musical introduction
to a larger work. Although both sections serve as introductions, the prologue focuses on
the story itself, while the prelude is centered on the music.

What does “what’s past is prologue” mean?

William Shakespeare wrote “what’s past is prologue” in his play The Tempest. The
phrase signifies that all events that have occurred up to this point, including those in a
story’s prologue, establish the groundwork for what is to come. This indicates that past
occurrences have led to the current situation and are an essential precursor to the
unfolding story. Essentially, the past serves as a basis for the present and the future. The
phrase suggests that we can gain knowledge from the past and utilize it to comprehend
the present and influence the future.

Famous prologues
One famous example of a prologue is the opening of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and
Juliet, which provides background information about the feud between the Capulet and
Montague families. Another example is the prologue of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the
Rings, which sets the stage for the epic story to come.

Prologue FAQs

What is a prologue?

A prologue is an introductory section of a literary work that provides context or

background information.

How does a prologue work?

A prologue can work in various ways, such as providing context, setting the tone, or
introducing themes.

What’s the difference between a prologue and an epilogue?

A prologue comes before the main narrative, while an epilogue comes after the main
narrative and provides closure.

Mind Map

A Mind Map is an easy way to brainstorm thoughts organically without worrying about
order and structure. It allows you to visually structure your ideas to help with analysis
and recall.

A Mind Map is a diagram for representing tasks, words, concepts, or items linked to and
arranged around a central concept or subject using a non-linear graphical layout that
allows the user to build an intuitive framework around a central concept. A Mind Map
can turn a long list of monotonous information into a colorful, memorable and highly
organized diagram that works in line with your brain's natural way of doing things.

Here is an example of an outline for vacation plans. It only takes a few moments to go
through the list of locations and activities. But by the time you get to the bottom of the
outline, do you even remember what you read at the top?

Take that same information and view it in Mind Map. You can now overview the
information much faster and recall the data much more easily.
Mind Mapping is perfect for:

 Brainstorming and visualizing concepts

  Presenting and communicating ideas
 Graphic organizers and electronic note books
 Running meetings more effectively
 Outlining reports and documents
 Simplifying task and project management
 Writing essays

When you study the brain's functionality and memory system, you will realize the
extraordinary extent of its capacity and potential. The Mind Map is a tool used to entice,
delight, stimulate and challenge you. You will discover some astonishing facts about
your brain and its function, and you will take the first major steps on the path to
freedom of the mind.

The Five Essential Characteristics of Mind Mapping:

1. The main idea, subject or focus is crystallized in a central image

2. The main themes radiate from the central image as 'branches'

3. The branches comprise a key image or key word drawn or printed on its
associated line

4. Topics of lesser importance are represented as 'twigs' of the relevant branch

5. The branches form a connected nodal structure

The Brain's Natural Architecture and Foundation
of Mind Maps
 Prefixes

Prefixes are letters which we add to the beginning of a word to make a new word with a
different meaning. Prefixes can, for example, create a new word opposite in meaning to the
word the prefix is attached to. They can also make a word negative or express relations of
time, place or manner. Here are some examples:

base
prefixed word type of meaning
word

possible impossible opposite

able unable opposite/negation

payment non-payment negation

war pre-war time (before)

base
prefixed word type of meaning
word

terrestria extraterrestria
place (outside of/beyond)
l l

cook overcook manner (too much)

I’m sorry I was unable to attend the meeting.

Non-payment of fees could result in a student being asked to leave the course.
Has anyone ever really met an extraterrestrial being? (meaning a being from another planet)
The meat was overcooked and quite tasteless.

The most common prefixes

prefix meaning examples

anti- against/opposed to anti-government, anti-racist, anti-war

auto- self autobiography, automobile

de-classify, decontaminate,
de- reverse or change
demotivate

dis- reverse or remove disagree, displeasure, disqualify

down- reduce or lower downgrade, downhearted

extra- beyond extraordinary, extraterrestrial

hyper- extreme hyperactive, hypertension

il-, im-, in-, not illegal, impossible, insecure, irregular

prefix meaning examples

ir-

inter- between interactive, international

mega- very big, important megabyte, mega-deal, megaton

mid- middle midday, midnight, mid-October

mis- incorrectly, badly misaligned, mislead, misspelt

non- not non-payment, non-smoking

over- too much overcook, overcharge, overrate

out- go beyond outdo, out-perform, outrun

post- after post-election, post-war

pre- before prehistoric, pre-war

pro- in favour of pro-communist, pro-democracy

re- again reconsider, redo, rewrite

semi- half semicircle, semi-retired

sub- under, below submarine, sub-Saharan

prefix meaning examples

super- above, beyond super-hero, supermodel

tele- at a distance television, telepathic

trans- across transatlantic, transfer

ultra- extremely ultra-compact, ultrasound

un- remove, reverse, not undo, unpack, unhappy

under- less than, beneath undercook, underestimate

up- make or move higher upgrade, uphill

Writing prefixes: hyphens (super-hero or supermodel)

There are no absolute rules for when to use a hyphen or when to write a prefixed word as one
whole word (see the examples in the table). A good learner’s dictionary will tell you how to
write a prefixed word.
SUFFIXES
A suffix is a letter or a group of letters attached to the end of a word to form a new word
or change the grammatical function (or part of speech) of the word. For example, the
verb read is made into the noun reader by adding the suffix -er. Similarly, read is made
into the adjective readable by adding the suffix -able.
Common suffixes generally change the meaning of words similarly. For example, the
suffix -less when added to a noun indicates "without," such as in colorless or
thoughtless. However, some suffixes may have multiple meanings, so it's important to
pay attention to the context of the word and its usage. Suffixes also may vary between
American English and British English.
Understanding Suffix Meanings
Understanding the meanings of common suffixes can help you figure out the meanings
of new words you encounter. In some cases, the spelling of a root or base word changes
when a suffix is added. For example, in words ending in y preceded by
a consonant (such as the noun beauty and the adjective ugly), the y may change to
an i when a suffix is added (as in the adjective beautiful and the noun ugliness). In
words ending in silent -e (such as use and adore), the final -e may be dropped when the
suffix that's added begins with a vowel (as in usable and adorable).
As with all spelling rules, there are exceptions. Not all suffixes can be added to all roots.
For example, the adjective beautiful is formed by adding the suffix -ful to the
noun beauty, and the noun ugliness is formed by adding the suffix -ness to the
adjective ugly.
Also, note that a suffix may have more than one meaning. With adjectives and adverbs,
for instance, the -er suffix usually conveys the comparative meaning of "more" (as in the
adjectives kinder and longer). But in some cases, the -er ending can also refer to
someone who performs a particular action (such as a dancer or builder) or someone
who lives in a particular place (such as a New Yorker or a Dubliner).
Common Suffixes in English
Think of the 26 common suffixes that follow as clues to the meanings of words;
however, bear in mind that the meanings of words are best determined by studying
the contexts in which they are used as well as the construction of the words
themselves.
Noun Suffixes:
Suffix Meaning Example

-acy state or quality privacy, fallacy, delicacy

-al act or process of refusal, recital, rebuttal

-ance, - state or quality of maintenance, eminence, assurance

ence

-dom place or state of beingfreedom, kingdom, boredom

-er, -or one who trainer, protector, narrator

-ism doctrine, belief communism, narcissism, skepticism

-ist one who chemist, narcissist, plagiarist

-ity, -ty quality of inactivity, veracity, parity, serenity

-ment condition of argument, endorsement, punishment

-ness state of being heaviness, sadness, rudeness, testiness

-ship position held fellowship, ownership, kinship, internship

-sion, -tion state of being concession, transition, abbreviation

Verb Suffixes:
Suffix Meaning Example

-ate become regulate, eradicate, enunciate, repudiate

-en become enlighten, awaken, strengthen

-ify, -fy make or becometerrify, satisfy, rectify, exemplify

-ize, -ise*become civilize, humanize, socialize, valorize

Adjective Suffixes:
Suffix Meaning Example

-able, - capable of being edible, presentable, abominable, credible

ible

-al pertaining to regional, grammatical, emotional, coastal

-esque reminiscent of picturesque, statuesque, burlesque

-ful notable for fanciful, resentful, woeful, doubtful

-ic, -ical pertaining to musical, mythic, domestic, chiastic

-ious, -ouscharacterized by nutritious, portentous, studious

-ish having the quality offiendish, childish, snobbish

-ive having the nature of creative, punitive, divisive, decisive

-less without endless, ageless, lawless, effortless

-y characterized by sleazy, hasty, greasy, nerdy, smelly

*In American English, verbs end with -ize, versus British English, in which the spelling
changes to -ise.

 American English: finalize, realize, emphasize, standardize

 British English: finalise, realise, emphasise, standardise

Exercise 5

Put the words in brackets in the appropriate form (use prefixes or suffixes):

1- He was acting in a very _______ way. (child)

2- She looked _______ .She started to cry. (happy)

3- He passed his exam. He was _______ for the second time. (succeed)

4- The team that he supported was able to win the _______ . (champion)

5- I couldn't find any _______ in his theory. (weak)

6- He wants to be a _______ when he grows up. (mathematics)

7- There were only a _______ of people at the match. (hand)

8- The road was too narrow, so they had to _______ it. (wide)

9- I think that you should _______ your decision. It may not be the best thing to
do. (consider)

10- You need a _______ of motivation, organization and hard work to realize your
dreams. (combine)

Hyphens and dashes.

What is a hyphen symbol?

A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that’s used to join words or parts of words. It’s not
interchangeable with other types of dashes.

What is a dash symbol?

A dash is longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. The
most common types of dashes are the en dash (–) and the em dash (—).
Hyphens and Dashes.

Hyphens and dashes are often confused, but they serve distinct purposes in writing.
Here's a brief overview of their uses:

Hyphens (-)

Hyphens are used to:

 Connect compound words:

o Examples: well-being, self-esteem, up-to-date
 Form compound adjectives:
o Examples: state-of-the-art technology, a well-known actor
 Create compound numbers:
o Examples: twenty-five, three-quarters
 Indicate a range or span:
o Examples: pages 10-20, the years 1990-1999

Dashes (—)

Dashes are used to:

 Set off parenthetical material:

o Example: The book—a mystery novel—was very suspenseful.
 Indicate a sudden break in thought:
o Example: I thought I had everything under control—until the unexpected
happened.
 Emphasize a word or phrase:
o Example: The most important thing is—to be yourself.

Remember: While hyphens are shorter, dashes are longer.

Here are some examples of how to use hyphens and dashes in sentences:

Hyphens:
  The well-known actor starred in the award-winning film.
 I bought a three-bedroom house.
 The concert was held from 6-8 p.m.

Dashes:

 The book—a mystery novel—was very suspenseful.

 I thought I had everything under control—until the unexpected happened.
 The most important thing is—to be yourself.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Hyphen or Dash

1. The ____-year-old boy loved playing video games.

2. The book—a mystery novel—was very suspenseful.
3. The ____-colored dress was very beautiful.
4. The concert was held from ____-____ p.m.
5. I thought I had everything under control—____ the unexpected happened.

Exercise 2: Identify the Hyphens and Dashes

Identify the hyphens and dashes in the following sentences:

1. The well-known actor starred in the award-winning film.

2. The three-bedroom house was very spacious.
3. The book—a mystery novel—was very suspenseful.
4. I thought I had everything under control—until the unexpected happened.
5. The state-of-the-art technology was amazing.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences Using Hyphens or Dashes

Rewrite the following sentences using hyphens or dashes as needed:

1. The book is a mystery novel.

2. The dress is red and blue.
3. The concert was held from 7 to 9 p.m.
4. I thought I had everything under control but then the unexpected happened.
 5. The technology is of the highest quality.

SENTENCES

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It typically contains a

subject (what the sentence is about) and a predicate (what the subject does).

Here are some examples of sentences:

 Simple sentence: The cat purred.

 Compound sentence: The cat purred, and the dog barked.
 Complex sentence: Because it was raining, we stayed inside.

Short sentences

Short sentences are sentences that are concise and direct. They use fewer words to convey a
complete thought. Here are some examples:

 The cat purred.

 She smiled.
 It is raining.
 They laughed.
 I ate.

Short sentences are often used to:

 Emphasize a point
 Create a sense of urgency or drama