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GCSE English Literature · key term
An opening that begins in the middle of the action rather than explaining the events that led to it.
Used by AQA and Edexcel
Paper 2
Revise: Bayonet ChargeThe narrator begins, “Suddenly he awoke and was running” (line 1). This opening is in medias res: there is no explanation of the mission or preparation for the attack. “Suddenly” gives the reader little more warning than the soldier receives, while “was running” places him in movement before he has had time to understand it.
Paper 2
An opening that places the reader in the middle of events rather than first explaining their background.
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The speaker’s opening word, ‘Suddenly’ (line 1), places us in medias res, in the middle of events. There is no calm introduction explaining who the speaker is. Readers encounter the disturbance before they can orientate themselves, sharing something of his shock.
