Backstory: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Events preceding a plot in a story}} |
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{{About|the literary device|"back-stories" of consumer goods|Back-story (production)| |
{{About|the literary device|"back-stories" of consumer goods|Back-story (production)|other uses|Back Story (disambiguation)}} |
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A '''backstory''', '''background story''', '''back-story''', or '''background''' is a set of events invented for a plot, presented as preceding and leading up to that plot. It is a [[literary device]] of a narrative history all chronologically earlier than the narrative of primary interest. |
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A '''backstory''', '''background story''', '''background''', or '''legend''' is a set of events invented for a [[Plot (narrative)|plot]], preceding and leading up to that plot. In [[acting]], it is the history of the [[character (arts)|character]] before the drama begins, and is created during the actor's preparation.<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstory Backstory at Merriam Webster online]</ref><ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/backstory Backstory at Dictionary.com]</ref> These terms are also used in espionage.[https://books.google.com.om/books?id=nFmZDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22legend%22%2B%22espionage%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22legend%22%2B%22espionage%22&f=false] |
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It is the history of characters and other elements that underlie the situation existing at the main narrative's start. Even a purely historical work selectively reveals backstory to the audience.<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstory Backstory at Merriam Webster online]</ref><ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/backstory Backstory at Dictionary.com]</ref> |
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==Usage<!--'Main story' redirects here-->== |
==Usage<!--'Main story' redirects here-->== |
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As a [[literary device]] backstory is often employed to lend depth or believability to the '''main story'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->. The usefulness of having a [[Discovery (fiction)|dramatic revelation]] was recognized by [[Aristotle]], in [[Poetics (Aristotle)|''Poetics'']]. |
As a [[literary device]], backstory is often employed to lend depth or believability to the '''main story'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA-->. The usefulness of having a [[Discovery (fiction)|dramatic revelation]] was recognized by [[Aristotle]], in [[Poetics (Aristotle)|''Poetics'']].{{fact|date=August 2024}} |
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Backstories are usually revealed, partially or in full, chronologically or otherwise, as the main narrative unfolds. However, a story creator may also create portions of a backstory or even an entire backstory that is solely for their own use.<ref> [http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2009/08/backstory-importance-of-what-isnt-told.html Backstory: The Importance of What Isn't Told]</ref> |
Backstories are usually revealed, partially or in full, chronologically or otherwise, as the main narrative unfolds. However, a [[narrative|story]] creator may also create portions of a backstory or even an entire backstory that is solely for their own use.<ref> [http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2009/08/backstory-importance-of-what-isnt-told.html Backstory: The Importance of What Isn't Told]</ref> |
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Backstory may be revealed by various means, including [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]]s, [[dialogue]], [[Narrative|direct narration]], [[:wikt:summary|summary]], [[recollection]], and [[Exposition (literary technique)|exposition]] |
Backstory may be revealed by various means, including [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]]s, [[dialogue]], [[Narrative|direct narration]], [[:wikt:summary|summary]], [[recollection]], and [[Exposition (literary technique)|exposition]]. |
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== Recollection == |
== Recollection == |
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[[Recollection]] is the [[Fiction-writing modes|fiction-writing mode]] whereby a character calls something to mind, or remembers it. A character's memory plays a role for conveying backstory, as it allows a fiction-writer to bring forth information from earlier in the story or from before the beginning of the story. Although recollection is not widely recognized as a distinct fiction-writing mode, recollection is commonly used by authors of fiction. |
[[Recollection]] is the [[Fiction-writing modes|fiction-writing mode]] whereby a character calls something to mind, or remembers it. A character's memory plays a role for conveying backstory, as it allows a fiction-writer to bring forth information from earlier in the story or from before the beginning of the story. Although recollection is not widely recognized as a distinct fiction-writing mode, recollection is commonly used by authors of fiction. |
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[[Orson Scott Card]] observed that "If it's a memory the character could have called to mind at any point, having her think about it just in time to make a key decision may seem like an implausible coincidence . . . " Furthermore, "If the memory is going to prompt a present decision, then the memory in turn must have been prompted by a recent event."<ref>Card, Orson Scott (1988), "Character & Viewpoint", p. 113. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. {{ISBN|0-89879-307-6}}.</ref> |
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== Shared universe == |
== Shared universe == |
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In a [[shared universe]] more than one author may shape the same backstory. The later creation of a backstory that conflicts with a previously written main story may require the adjustment device known as [[retroactive continuity]], informally known as " |
In a [[shared universe]] more than one author may shape the same backstory. The later creation of a backstory that conflicts with a previously written main story may require the adjustment device known as [[retroactive continuity]], informally known as "retcon".{{fact|date=August 2024}} |
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==Acting== |
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Actors may create their own backstories for characters, going beyond the sometimes meager information in a script. Filling in details helps an actor interpret the script and create fully imagined characters.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Homan |first1=Sidney |last2=Rhinehart |first2=Brian |title=Comedy Acting for Theatre: The Art and Craft of Performing in Comedies |date=2018 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=9781350012783 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oMVIDwAAQBAJ&q=backstory+acting |access-date=26 November 2018 |chapter=3}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[Characterization]] |
* [[Characterization]] |
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* [[Flashback (narrative)]] |
* [[Flashback (narrative)]] |
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* [[Origin story]] |
* [[Origin story]] |
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== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{Wiktionary}} |
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{{Narrative modes}} |
{{Narrative modes}} |
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[[Category:Continuity (fiction)]] |
[[Category:Continuity (fiction)]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Narrative techniques]] |
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[[Category:Plot (narrative)]] |
[[Category:Plot (narrative)]] |
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Latest revision as of 17:00, 3 November 2024
A backstory, background story, background, or legend is a set of events invented for a plot, preceding and leading up to that plot. In acting, it is the history of the character before the drama begins, and is created during the actor's preparation.[1][2] These terms are also used in espionage.[1]
Usage
[edit]As a literary device, backstory is often employed to lend depth or believability to the main story. The usefulness of having a dramatic revelation was recognized by Aristotle, in Poetics.[citation needed]
Backstories are usually revealed, partially or in full, chronologically or otherwise, as the main narrative unfolds. However, a story creator may also create portions of a backstory or even an entire backstory that is solely for their own use.[3]
Backstory may be revealed by various means, including flashbacks, dialogue, direct narration, summary, recollection, and exposition.
Recollection
[edit]Recollection is the fiction-writing mode whereby a character calls something to mind, or remembers it. A character's memory plays a role for conveying backstory, as it allows a fiction-writer to bring forth information from earlier in the story or from before the beginning of the story. Although recollection is not widely recognized as a distinct fiction-writing mode, recollection is commonly used by authors of fiction.
Orson Scott Card observed that "If it's a memory the character could have called to mind at any point, having her think about it just in time to make a key decision may seem like an implausible coincidence . . . " Furthermore, "If the memory is going to prompt a present decision, then the memory in turn must have been prompted by a recent event."[4]
Shared universe
[edit]In a shared universe more than one author may shape the same backstory. The later creation of a backstory that conflicts with a previously written main story may require the adjustment device known as retroactive continuity, informally known as "retcon".[citation needed]
Acting
[edit]Actors may create their own backstories for characters, going beyond the sometimes meager information in a script. Filling in details helps an actor interpret the script and create fully imagined characters.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Backstory at Merriam Webster online
- ^ Backstory at Dictionary.com
- ^ Backstory: The Importance of What Isn't Told
- ^ Card, Orson Scott (1988), "Character & Viewpoint", p. 113. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 0-89879-307-6.
- ^ Homan, Sidney; Rhinehart, Brian (2018). "3". Comedy Acting for Theatre: The Art and Craft of Performing in Comedies. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781350012783. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
