Fictionalentry

Fictionalentry is a term used to describe an article or entry that appears in a fictional encyclopedia, glossary, database, or other reference work within a narrative. The subject of a Fictionalentry is typically imaginary, and the content may be entirely invented for the story or presented as part of an imagined scholarly corpus. In practice, the device is used to convey lore, names, dates, and cross-references in a way that imitates real reference material, while remaining within the story's world.

As a narrative tool, a Fictionalentry provides verisimilitude and world-building. It can establish internal consistency, reveal backstory, hint at wider context, or present information through an ostensibly authoritative voice. Writers may employ it to explore unreliable narration, parody scholarly conventions, or blur the line between fiction and documentation. It is distinct from a real-world encyclopedia article, which would describe actual persons, places, or concepts.

Examples appear across speculative fiction, role-playing games, and fan works. Classic in-universe reference work is Isaac Asimov's Encyclopedia Galactica, which functions as a fictional source within the Foundation universe. Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy likewise uses a humorous in-world reference work to convey ideas and lore. In interactive media, faux encyclopedias or dictionaries are used to guide players and flesh out invented ecosystems.

Related concepts include in-universe encyclopedias, faux documents, and metafiction.