Pacing

Pacing refers to the speed at which events unfold in a narrative, performance, or process. In storytelling and drama, pacing is the tempo of the narrative: how quickly plot points are revealed, how scenes are structured, and how tension is managed.

In literature and screenwriting, pacing is shaped by scene length, sentence structure, point of view, and the balance between action, dialogue, and description. Techniques to adjust pacing include trimming extraneous detail, using short sentences and rapid cuts, juxtaposing faster sequences with slower reflective passages, and placing revelations or twists at deliberate intervals.

In film and theatre, pacing is achieved through editing, shot duration, rhythm of dialogue, and the sequencing of scenes. Editors use cuts, montage, and tempo to accelerate or decelerate the audience's experience.

In medicine, pacing refers to the regulation of heart rate, typically with a cardiac pacemaker. Pacemakers deliver electrical impulses to maintain an appropriate heart rhythm in conditions such as bradycardia or AV block. Pacing modes include single- and dual-chamber pacing, rate-responsive features, and temporarily external pacing in emergencies. History notes the development of implantable devices in the mid-20th century.

Other uses: pacing in sports or exercise refers to maintaining a steady tempo or effort to match goals. The term can denote the process of guiding tempo in performance or training.