subclass_of epilogue
An epilogue or epilog ( from ___MASK6___  epílogos , `` conclusion '' from  - `` in addition '' and  légein , `` to say '' ) is a piece of ___MASK68___ at the end of a ___MASK3___ of literature , usually used to bring closure to the ___MASK3___ . It is presented from the perspective of within the story . When the author steps in and speaks indirectly to the reader , that is more properly considered an afterword . The opposite is a ___MASK89___ -- a piece of ___MASK68___ at the beginning of a ___MASK3___ of literature or drama , usually used to open the story and capture interest . A ___MASK89___ or prolog ( Greek  " prólogos ", from " pro ", " before " and " lógos ", " word ") is an opening to a story that establishes the context and gives ___MASK33___ details , often some earlier story that ties into the main one , and other miscellaneous information . The Ancient Greek " prólogos " included the modern meaning of " ___MASK89___ ", but was of wider significance , more like the meaning of preface . The importance , therefore , of the ___MASK89___ in Greek drama was very great ; it sometimes almost took the place of a romance , to which , or to an episode in which , the play itself succeeded . An afterword is a literary ___MASK34___ that is often found at the end of a piece of ___MASK15___ . It generally covers the story of how the book came into ___MASK54___ , or of how the idea for the book was developed . A preface or proem is an introduction to a ___MASK50___ or other ___MASK67___ written by the work ' s author . An introductory essay written by a different person is a " foreword " and precedes an author ' s preface . The preface often closes with acknowledgments of those who assisted in the ___MASK67___ . ___MASK15___ , in its broadest sense , is any ___MASK66___ body of written works . More restrictively , it is writing considered as an art form , or any ___MASK66___ writing deemed to have artistic or intellectual value , often due to deploying language in ways that differ from ordinary usage . Its Latin root " literatura "/" litteratura " ( derived itself from " littera ": " ___MASK30___ " or " handwriting ") was used to refer to all written accounts , though contemporary definitions extend the term to include texts that are spoken or sung ( oral literature ). ___MASK15___ can be classified according to whether it is fiction or non - fiction and whether it is poetry or prose ; it can be further distinguished according to major forms such as the novel , short story or drama ; and works are often categorized according to historical periods or their adherence to certain aesthetic features or expectations ( genre ).