Premise (narrative theory)

The premise (from Latin : praemissum = what has been sent in advance) briefly summarizes the transformation that a novel character goes through in the course of the plot. It contains the starting point, conflict and solution of the character in one short sentence.

It serves as a tool for the writer to reduce the plot of the story to the essentials by giving the development of a character a clear goal. In addition, when revising the text, the premise can be used to check whether the respective scene serves this goal and is therefore indispensable.

Lajos Egri introduced the concept of premise into narrative theory in 1946 with his book Dramatic Writing .

Individual evidence

• Dramatic writing. Theater - Film - Roman , Lajos Egri, Authors House Verlag, ISBN 3-932909-58-5 .

Web links

• "It doesn't work without a premise" - Explanation with examples ( Memento from May 27, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
• Excerpt from Egris "The Art of Dramatic Writing" on the concept of the premise (English)