In Medias Res
- “what does in medias res mean”
- “starting a story in the middle”
- “in medias res vs ab ovo”
- “how to start a novel”
:: COMPARE ::
In medias resvsAb ovo
The short answer
Ab ovo starts at the causal origin — literally 'from the egg', since Horace's example is beginning the Trojan War at Leda's eggs. In medias res skips all that and back-fills. Opposites, both named in the same Horatian passage.
Side by side
| Aspect | In medias res | Ab ovo |
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | The middle | The origin |
| Prior events | Withheld | Narrated |
| Horace's verdict | Praised | Mocked |
| Requires | Later back-fill | Patience |
Which one you meant
Readers who land here meaning In Medias Res rather than Ab ovo are usually searching for phrases like “what does in medias res mean”, “starting a story in the middle”, “in medias res vs ab ovo”.
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