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Resources · Glossaries · Worldbuilding & exposition · In-world glossary
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In-world glossary

Also called
diegetic dictionary
IntermediateWorldbuilding & expositionReference
Fictional reference text inside the story, not this hub glossary.

An in-world glossary is diegetic reference text: appendix material characters could own, like a ship's manual or field guide. It delivers lore from inside the fiction.

This Resources hub glossary is *craft* vocabulary for writers. The two serve different readers and should not be conflated in planning notes.

Why it matters

Canon stance fields distinguish meta craft docs from manuscript appendix, which avoids polluting reader immersion plans.

Common pitfalls

  • Dumping craft essays into an in-world appendix voice.
  • In-world glossary entries with no story reason to exist.
  • Confusing Aetia's craft glossary with diegetic text.
Example only
Readers feel in-world glossary when stakes tighten after the ally refuses to help.
See also
  • Culture building — Institutions, rituals, and daily life that make a people feel lived-in.
  • Exposition — Background information the reader needs, best when braided into conflict rather than front-loaded.
  • Hard magic — Magic with explicit rules readers can reason about.
Not to be confused with
  • Craft glossary

    Out-of-story reference for writing terms, distinct from in-world appendix text.

Related constellation
  • This term (this term)
  • Culture building
  • Exposition
  • Hard magic

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