The prologue, from the Greek πρόλογος (prologos), is an introduction to a story. It serves to introduce what will happen in the and can be set before the plot begins.
The prologue must have a purpose and tell something that pushes the boundaries of the story.
Its purposes are:
1. Interest the reader in the story right away.
2. Give a preview of the story or setting.
3. Describing and deepening characters or situations that don't have much space in the actual story.
It can add further information and give the reader a deeper understanding of the events that will follow.
Style: a prologue -and the epilogue- can be written in a different style and tone than the rest of the story. This helps distinguish it from the chapters.
Length: a prologue is often shorter than a normal chapter, but the length depends on what the author needs to tell.
