forord

Forord is a short introductory section at the beginning of a book, report, or other published work, placed before the main text. It serves to set the context, explain the work’s origins or purpose, and sometimes acknowledge people who contributed to the project.

Content and purpose: It may discuss how the work came about, what the author hopes to convey, and any limitations or scope. It can range from a personal note to a formal, concise statement. It often helps orient readers and establish the tone of the work.

Authorship and relation to other preliminaries: In Norwegian publishing, forord is commonly used for a foreword or preface. The forord can be written by someone other than the author (a foreword) or by the author themselves (a preface). It is distinct from an innledning (introduction), which explains the aims, structure, and method of the work and is typically written by the author.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from for- meaning before and ord meaning words, literally “before words.” In English translations, it is often rendered as foreword or preface, depending on who wrote it. See also foreword, preface, introduction, and dedication.