What is the term for the order in which events happen?

The term "sequence" refers to the specific order in which events occur. It is an essential concept in understanding narratives, as it helps readers follow the flow of the story or information presented. By recognizing the sequence, readers can grasp how one event leads to another, creating a coherent understanding of the overall context.

In the context of writing and storytelling, the sequence of events helps build tension, develop characters, or set up a resolution. For example, knowing that one event happens before another can clarify motives and causes. This understanding is crucial for analyzing texts, completing assignments, or interpreting information accurately.

Other terms like "structure," "chronology," and "timeline" may relate to events but do not specifically emphasize the order in which those events unfold in the same way. "Structure" often refers to how something is organized, "chronology" denotes a list of events in the order they occurred but can be broader, and "timeline" typically represents a visual representation of events along a linear scale. These concepts can be related to sequences, yet "sequence" is the best term to describe strictly the order of events.