Span (literary term)

In literature, "span" refers to the length or extent of a particular element within a text—such as a sentence, paragraph, or entire work. It can describe how much time, space, or content is covered by a segment. For example, a story with a wide historical span covers many years, while a short paragraph has a limited span of information. Understanding span helps readers grasp the scope of a narrative or argument, highlighting how much ground an author covers or how long a section lasts. It is a way to measure the breadth or duration within a literary context.