Verisimilitude
The appearance of truth or reality in a narrative, achieved through realistic detail, internal consistency, and plausible characterisation, making fictional worlds feel authentic despite being invented.
Real World
Hilary Mantel's *Wolf Hall* creates verisimilitude through precise historical detail — specific dates, real Tudor figures, and sensory descriptions of court life — making readers feel they inhabit 16th-century England despite the fictional perspective.
Exam Focus
Distinguish verisimilitude from realism: explain *how* specific details construct the *impression* of truth, not just that they 'seem real'.
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