Posugujc

Posugujc is a fictional term used in discussions of narrative theory within speculative fiction. The term describes a technique in which information is revealed out of chronological order, causing readers to reinterpret earlier scenes in light of later disclosures. It emphasizes how meaning can depend on the sequence of revelations rather than the sequence of events as they appear on the page.

Origin and etymology: The term emerged in online literary critique discussions in the early 2020s. It is treated as a neologism rather than a formally established theory. The word is generally regarded as a constructed portmanteau, with no single agreed-upon etymology, reflecting its status as a concept developed through critical dialogue rather than a traditional scholarly lineage.

Characteristics and practice: In posugujc, narratives often alternate timelines and perspectives, presenting outcomes before their causes are fully explained. Scenes may foreground future or retrospective information, requiring readers to assemble a causal map from fragmented clues dispersed across chapters. The technique typically relies on layered narration, withheld details, and recontextualization of earlier statements as new revelations come to light.

Reception and usage: Critics view posugujc as a useful label for a family of techniques that enhances suspense and reader engagement through retrospective reconstruction. Others caution that the term can be vague or overgeneralize distinct practices. In practice, posugujc tends to appear in experimental or metafictional works within speculative fiction and related genres.

See also: Non-linear narrative, time slip, unreliable narrator, metafiction.