Thread: Arc Words

A discussion on another forum got me thinking about this one. It's a device used by many writers of fantasy and science fiction. William Morris, the father of modern fantasy, used it to notable effect in his book, "The Well at the World's End". It's also been used in t.v. series like Dr. Who.

From the Arcane Wiki

The narrative Trope known as "Arc Words" refers to an enigmatic word or phrase that appears, unexplained and without context, here and there throughout a series or story arc, and (with luck) is finally explained at or near the climax. A way of building up tension and mystery, as well as an indicator that anyone using the words knows more than they're telling.

Another useful link is:

Arc Words - Television Tropes & Idioms

How many consciously use this device in their work or see the benefit? Those phrases that seem to have no real relevance and aren't explained until the climax of the book can add a terrific mysterious hook.

^ I, for one, agree that its a great way of foreshadowing. I use them, especially when writing suspense/thriller fictions, but never consciously, or rather, planned. Sometimes, I go back a chapter only to realize I've used the trope, though subtly, and since its already there, I might as well use it. I've used it consciously only once before, in a 2500-word short story about a deranged patient. Link is here: Prisoners of the Mind

"They know."

Bad Wolf. Yes, I remember. It was used throughout the tenure of the Ninth Doctor's sole season. The issue I have with it is this: What is great on screen may not be great in a novel. In one form, we're hearing it spoken by the characters, in the other, we're reading it on the page. What is eerie foreboding in one medium can be annoying in another. If I were to use it in a short story or a novel, I would slip it in as something seemingly inoccuous rather than overly blatant. I would want people to finish the story and then go: "Oh my God, that's why "weasel" was said there, there and there! At which point, they would read it again and recognize the references. But, that is something that I'd really want to plan out first. Even then, a ten foot pole comes to mind!

Originally Posted by powerskris

Bad Wolf. Yes, I remember. It was used throughout the tenure of the Ninth Doctor's sole season. The issue I have with it is this: What is great on screen may not be great in a novel. In one form, we're hearing it spoken by the characters, in the other, we're reading it on the page. What is eerie foreboding in one medium can be annoying in another. If I were to use it in a short story or a novel, I would slip it in as something seemingly inoccuous rather than overly blatant. I would want people to finish the story and then go: "Oh my God, that's why "weasel" was said there, there and there! At which point, they would read it again and recognize the references. But, that is something that I'd really want to plan out first. Even then, a ten foot pole comes to mind!

What you describe is exactly how the trope should be used - subtly. William Morris used apparently meaningless references to the "dead tree". Then he introduced the "riders of the dead tree". The full meaning of this didn't become apparent until the end of the book.

Originally Posted by Baron

What you describe is exactly how the trope should be used subtly. William Morris used apparently meaningless references to the "dead tree". Then he introduced the "riders of the dead tree". The full meaning of this didn't become apparent until the end of the book.

So, are the "Rosebud"/Citizen Kane and "Are you watching closely?"/The Prestige examples from TV Tropes accurate examples of this, in your opinion?

Cool, note taken!

Depends on the story. I think the thing is that it can be potentially annoying; I like to give readers credit for being able to figure things out on their own, but making reference to something with no explanation can become irritating if information is not forthcoming. I will, however, slowly give the information out until the climax and it becomes important. That way there's no potential irritation with thoughts of, "Well what's this thing he's referring to?" and the reader becomes slowly enlightened as to a purpose.

It just comes down to execution, really.

Well, if I understand correctly, the point is to hint at it without drawing attention to it. Or, if "Rosebud" from Citizen Kane is a good example, to bring it up as a mystery in itself and have the reveal at the end change the dynamics of the entire story leading up to it.

Would "Chinatown" be another example of this?

I love when writers use this! As soon as I read what it was, it reminded me of the story Choker by Elizabeth Woods and she uses it very subtly so that I did not even really notice it until the end when it was revealed and then I was like "Oh! That's what that was!"