Chapitres

Chapitre is the primary unit of division in a long written work, serving to organize narrative, argument, or exposition into discrete sections. In fiction, chapters build the progression of the story, often ending with a moment that invites continued reading. In non-fiction, chapters group related topics or themes and commonly include a brief introduction, examples, and sometimes review questions or summaries.

Etymology traces chapitres to the Latin capitulus, a diminutive of caput meaning head, by extension a heading or divided section of a book. The term is used across many languages to denote a similar structural unit, with variations in conventions for numbering, titling, and length.

Structure and conventions vary by genre and edition. Most chapters begin on a new page and are numbered (Arabic or, less commonly, Roman numerals) or titled to reflect content. A table of contents (sommaire in French) lists chapters and their starting pages. Chapter length can range widely, from brief segments to lengthy, multi-part divisions. In novels, chapters may emphasize pacing, perspective shifts, or changes in setting; in textbooks, chapters organize material, include objectives, and end with exercises or summaries.

In modern publishing, chapters also adapt to digital formats. E-books and online texts often provide navigational tools that link directly to chapters or sections, while some editions preserve traditional page breaks and headings.

See also: table of contents, sections, parts, and sommaire. Chapitres remain a fundamental concept in organizing long texts, enabling readers to locate and reference content efficiently.