In this video, we explore one of my favorite examples of an epigraph—those thought-provoking quotes that can set the tone for your book or chapters. The example beautifully illustrates how an epigraph can evoke curiosity and anticipation.
We’ll also look at copyright considerations when selecting quotes, and provide a starting point for you to make sure you have permission or the work is off copyright.
Hello, Jane Cleland here. “Can you give me an example of an epigraph?” Yes, absolutely. Keep in mind that an epigraph is an apposite quote that is placed at the beginning of a book to set the theme, sometimes at the beginning of each chapter. I like the thought-provoking capability that they bring to the party. They get people thinking and expecting a certain idea.
So, let me give you an example. This is from “1Q84” by Haruki Murakami. The genre is magical realism, and the theme is expressed in the title of chapter one, “Don’t Let Appearances Fool You.” Here’s the epigraph: “It’s a Barnum and Bailey world, just as phony as it can be, but it wouldn’t be make-believe if you believed in me.” That’s from “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” by Billy Rose and E. Y. Yip Harburg.
Now, an important point is that you need to make sure anything that you’re using is off copyright, or that you have permission to use it. I used two lines from a Robert Frost poem once. I really wanted those lines, and I paid the estate $200 for the rights to be able to use it, and I did that with pleasure. But just because something was published a while ago, or the author’s dead, doesn’t mean that it’s available for you to use. So, you can go to the copyright office and check it out there. I’m pretty sure that only goes back to ’77, and things can still be under copyright from before ’77. So, you do need to do some research. Find out when it was first published and whether that date says it’s off copyright.
Did this tip have value for you? If it did, I hope that you’ll like it, share it. I hope you’ll subscribe to the channel. That opens up features that make these videos even more valuable for you, so thank you for that. And if you have any comments, I really appreciate them too. Thanks.
*Transcripts are software-generated. To report any transcription errors, please use my contact form!
