Prologues: Are They Necessary?

The subject of prologues is surprisingly controversial—and why? One school of thought says they aren’t part of the book and you don’t need to read them. Another faction says it’s there to enhance the reading experience, so why even consider not reading it? Well, though I love a good prologue, neither side is actually “wrong.” 

What is a prologue? 

A prologue is a chapter or scene that takes place before chapter one. Often, it is from an alternate perspective, or shows a relevant event that took place long before chapter one in the narrative timeline. 

If it is part of the story, why isn’t it chapter one? 

Here is the truth of it: a prologue is a wonderful addition that can add a lot of colorful details and understanding to the characters or story, but it should not be necessary to understanding the rest of the book.  

For example: Let’s say your book is about a widower who falls in love, and a major struggle for him is telling his new partner that his wife was killed in a car crash.  

Your prologue is a play-by-play of the crash. 

In this example, do we need to see the crash to understand it’s a horrible event and feel the widower’s pain as he’s concealing this secret? No, absolutely not. But does it add an extra layer of anguish for the reader to see how hurt he was when the event occurred? Absolutely.  

^ This is a prologue.  

Now, to flip this around a bit. Let’s say the prologue wasn’t a play-by-play of the accident, it was actually him at a lawyer’s office reading his late wife’s will. The lawyer says that she was secretly from a very wealthy family and left him 300 million dollars with instructions never to marry again. The will is never mentioned after this, but we see him nervous and pushing the new partner away throughout the entire novel.  

^ This, kids, is chapter one—not a prologue. We need to know what the will says to understand his reactions and intentions.  

Do you need an epilogue if you add a prologue? 

No. They can both live independently. In fiction, an epilogue is normally used to bring a reader up to date. So, if this is the first book in a series, the epilogue may be used to tell you what happens just before the start of book two; hinting at the next set of characters or plot points. It’s a bridge, if you will.  

Is a prologue ever required? 

I wish I were a guru in all style guides; however, I am not. But what I can tell you is that the CMOS does not require a prologue or epilogue. It is entirely your choice. Just be aware that some readers skip it, and if they choose this path, the story should still make sense.  

Additionally, when you are formatting, page 1 starts with the prologue and the last page ends with the last page of the epilogue.  

TLDR 

No one gets to tell you to add or cut a prologue; just know some people will skip it. The first chapter to the last should stand independently. If you add a prologue, make sure it adds to the reader’s ✨experience.✨