Prelego

Prelego is a term used in some educational and literary discussions to describe a brief preparatory segment or activity conducted before a main lesson, reading, or presentation. The term is not widely standardized and does not appear as a canonical concept in major education references. In contexts where it is used, a prelego functions as a preface, preview, or rehearsal intended to activate prior knowledge, introduce key terms, or frame a topic for deeper exploration.

The origin of the word is uncertain; it appears as a neologism formed from a pre- prefix combined with a root related to reading or gathering. Because prelego is not an established term, etymology and spelling vary across communities. Some users treat it as a stylistic coinage in educational discourse, while others connect it loosely to Italian-language patterns such as legere or legere-related roots.

Applications: In classrooms, a prelego can be a short 3–5 minute mini-lecture, a set of prompts, or a quick activity that prepares students for the main task. It may involve a brief video, a reading excerpt, a question prompt, or a short discussion to activate prior knowledge. In writing or media contexts, a prelego may describe a short introductory note or frame that helps audiences anticipate themes or arguments.

Relation to similar concepts: Prelego overlaps with prologue, preface, or foreword, and with pre-briefings used in training. Unlike a full lesson, a prelego is typically concise and targeted to prepare rather than replace the main content.