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Bill W

Bill W 63,140
Mellow

Posted

Consequence traces back to the Latin verb consequi (meaning "to follow after" or "to come after").  Comes from the Latin prefix com- (meaning "with" or "together") and derived from sequi (meaning "to follow"), which shares the same Proto-Indo-European root (*sekw-) as the word "sequence".  The Latin abstract noun consequentia emerged to describe a logical outcome, succession of events, or something that follows as a necessary result.  It transitioned into Old French as consequence, which was used generally to describe a "result" or an "outcome" and borrowed into the language during the late 14th century, it initially appeared as a term for "logical inference" or a "conclusion".  By the early 15th century, the meaning expanded to its modern use: a result or effect that grows naturally out of an action.  
 
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest recorded use of the noun consequence in English dates back to around 1400.  It first appeared in the Middle English period, notably within the translation of the Romaunt of the Rose by Geoffrey Chaucer.  If you are looking for related grammatical variations, the adverb per consequence was recorded slightly earlier, around 1395, in the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer. 
Bill W

Bill W 63,140
Mellow

Posted (edited)

Consequences drive storytelling by transforming arbitrary events into a meaningful chain of cause and effect.  They establish stakes, force characters to confront their flaws, and ensure the narrative builds toward a satisfying climax, giving readers a tangible reason to care about the outcome. 
 
Consequences shape a compelling narrative by performing several essential functions:  
Drive the Plot: A story operates on the principle of "ripple effects".  When characters make decisions, those actions generate outcomes that force subsequent scenes to happen, naturally progressing the narrative.  
Create Stakes and Tension: Without consequences, threats feel empty and readers become less invested.  When real, proportionate consequences are on the line, every choice matters, escalating the tension.  
Develop Characters: Characters grow and learn lessons by reaping what they sow. Flaws only affect the story if they have meaningful repercussions.  Experiencing favorable or unfavorable outcomes guides characters in discarding false worldviews and changing their behavior.  
Provide Satisfaction: Readers crave logical cause and effect.  Watching antagonists receive their comeuppance and protagonists earn their triumphs delivers a highly rewarding payoff.  
Explore Morality and Themes: Consequences allow a story to naturally demonstrate a theme or moral lesson without feeling overly preachy or forced.  

Many writers use consequences to deepen their plots and characters.  
Edited by Bill W

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