AP English Literature and Composition Flashcards: Nonlinear structures: frame, epistolary, and in medias res
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
A story begins with an old sailor telling a young man about a fantastic voyage from his past. The majority of the novel then consists of the sailor's tale. This structure is known as what?
This is a frame narrative. The scene of the old sailor telling the story is the 'frame,' while his tale of the voyage is the central, inner story.
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A story begins with an old sailor telling a young man about a fantastic voyage from his past. The majority of the novel then consists of the sailor's tale. This structure is known as what?
This is a frame narrative. The scene of the old sailor telling the story is the 'frame,' while his tale of the voyage is the central, inner story.
Define 'frame narrative'.
A frame narrative is a literary technique that serves as a story within a story. An introductory or main narrative sets the stage for a second, more central narrative to be told.
How is background information revealed in a story that begins 'in medias res'?
The necessary background information and preceding events are revealed later in the plot. This is typically done through characters' dialogue, flashbacks, or exposition.
Why is an author's choice of a nonlinear structure considered a deliberate and important decision?
The choice of structure shapes the overall meaning and interpretation of the text. It can be used to control the release of information, create suspense, develop themes, and influence the reader's perception of characters and events.
What is a key function of using a frame narrative?
A frame narrative can create distance, provide context for the inner story, or call into question the reliability of the narrator telling the main story.
How does an epistolary structure affect a reader's experience?
This format creates a sense of realism and intimacy by giving direct access to characters' thoughts. However, it also provides a limited and subjective perspective, as the reader only knows what the characters choose to write.
A novel opens with a character waking up in a strange room with no memory, and the rest of the story involves him piecing together how he got there. What nonlinear structure is this an example of?
This is an example of 'in medias res.' The story begins in the middle of a critical situation, and the preceding events are revealed as the plot progresses.
What does the term 'in medias res' mean?
In medias res is Latin for 'in the midst of things.' It is a narrative technique where a story begins at a crucial point in the action, rather than at the chronological beginning.
What is the primary learning objective associated with studying nonlinear structures?
The primary objective is to be able to explain the function of nonlinear narrative structures. This includes understanding how techniques like frame, epistolary, and in medias res affect the story and the reader's experience.
What is a nonlinear plot?
A nonlinear plot does not follow a chronological sequence of events. Instead, it presents events out of order using techniques like flashbacks or complex structural devices.
What is an epistolary narrative?
An epistolary narrative is a story told through a series of documents. These often take the form of letters, diary entries, emails, or newspaper clippings.