What’s the Difference? Preface, Prologue, Introduction, and Foreword

Most often found in nonfiction books or academic writing, a preface is a short introductory essay written from the point of view of the author. The author might use the preface to explain why they are qualified to write about the book’s subject matter. The author’s preface may also be used for other specific functions, such as explaining how they became interested in the subject of the book and why they chose to write about it.

Typically found in works of fiction, a prologue is usually written from a character’s point of view (either the main character or a character who brings a different perspective to the story). This introductory passage gives the reader additional information that will help their comprehension of the rest of the book. This can include background information on characters, events that took place before the story begins, or information that establishes the setting of the story.

A book’s introduction is closely related to the content of the book itself. Usually found in nonfiction work, the introduction may summarize the main argument presented in the rest of the book, define any important terms, or fill in background details. The introduction is actually considered to be part of the body of the book, so it is represented with Arabic numerals—as opposed to the front matter, which uses Roman page numbers (this is one of the primary differences when it comes to preface vs. introduction). In fiction, the introduction may not be part of the story itself, but it may instead provide context or deepen the meaning of the main action.

A foreword is an introductory section of a book written by someone other than the author. The writer of the foreword is usually a prominent figure like an expert on the subject matter, a New York Times bestselling author, or a prominent critic of literary work. A foreword, which appears before chapter one, lends credibility to the book and author by praising the work, the writer, or both. A foreword can sometimes be a type of literary marketing tool publishers use to increase the profile of a book and attract casual readers, who may decide that a published book is worth reading based on the endorsement of the foreword’s author. Forewords may also accompany new editions of previously published works.

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