Readability & Structure
Timeline Consistency
Detects temporal logic warnings — rapid time direction changes and vague time reference overuse.
What It Does
Tracks forward time markers ("the next day", "three days later"), backward markers ("the previous day", "meanwhile"), and vague markers ("some time later", "moments later"). Flags rapid direction changes and excessive vagueness.
Why It Matters
Readers build a mental timeline as they read. Rapid forward-backward switches ("Three days later… meanwhile…") disorient. Too many vague time references ("some time later" five times) blur the chronology into mush.
What Gets Flagged
| Severity | Example | Why | Suggested Revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information | Forward→backward switch within 5 lines | Timeline whiplash | Clarify the chronological sequence |
| Hint | 5+ "some time later" / "moments later" | Vague timeline | Anchor at least some references in concrete time |
Configuration
No configuration options. Thresholds: 5 lines for whiplash, 5 vague references for overuse.
Technical Details
- Source:
prose-craft - Scope: Document-level temporal tracking
- Method: Regex-based temporal marker classification + direction tracking