Fülltet

Fülltet is a neologism used in some strands of narrative theory to describe a deliberate technique in which a text is densely filled with descriptive material and digressions to create a sense of fullness and to modulate pacing. The term is not widely used in mainstream literary criticism and does not denote a fixed canon; rather it captures a family of practices.

Origin and etymology: The coinage blends the German verb "füllen" (to fill) with a nominalizing suffix "-tet" to imply process. It has been proposed in discussions of experimental prose as a way to discuss the effect of saturation on reader perception.

Characteristics: Fülltet passages often feature extended sensory detail, token lists or enumerations, parenthetical remarks, and occasional metatextual commentary. The technique tends to slow the narrative tempo, heighten mood, or stress texture over plot. It can appear in prose, poetry, and dialogue-based forms.

Contexts and examples: It appears in late-20th to early-21st-century experimental works and in online criticism that emphasizes rhythm and texture. Some critics distinguish Fülltet from mere ornamentation by its intentional role in shaping pacing rather than purely decorative language.

Reception: Opinions vary. Proponents argue that it creates immersive atmospheres and texture; detractors call it overwrought or obtrusive.

See also: Pacing in literature; descriptive prose; stylistic devices; filler content.