proféssus

Proféssus is a term in narrative theory describing a technique in which a narrator or a character explicitly claims a professional identity or expertise within the text, creating a moment of self-authorization that foregrounds authority and potential bias. The device is used to study how professional discourse within fiction shapes readers' perception of truth and credibility. In practice, proféssus manifests as statements of credentials, formal titles, or disputed claims of expertise presented as part of the narrative flow, sometimes accompanied by disclaimers or hedging. The effect is often metafictional, inviting readers to question the reliability of the voice that speaks as an expert.

Etymology: The term is a neologism built from the Latin professus meaning "having declared," with the suffix -us, and is used in English-language scholarship to label such narrative gestures. It is typically pronounced pro-FÉSS-us, reflecting the accent on the second syllable.

History: The concept emerged in contemporary literary criticism as scholars examined how characters and narrators perform expertise to shape interpretation. It is most often discussed in the context of self-reflexive fiction and epistemic claims within narratives.

Applications: Used in textual analysis, pedagogy, and design of interactive fiction, proféssus helps classify passages where authority is asserted, often across fields such as science, medicine, or law within fiction. It provides a framework for examining how credentialed discourse affects reader trust and interpretation.

See also: Metafiction, self-reflexivity, narrative authority, unreliable narrator.