consequences

The word “consequences” means a traditional pen-and-paper party game in which each player writes part of a story without seeing what others have written, revealed at the end for comic effect.

“Consequences” is pronounced KON-sih-kwehn-sihz (/ˈkɑn.sɪ.kwɛn.sɪz/ in IPA).

Here is “consequences” used in a sentence: “They played Consequences at the birthday party, folding the paper after each line.”

“Consequences” is a noun.

“Consequences” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Each player writes the opening part of a story on a sheet of paper — often a man's name — then folds it to hide the words and passes it on. The next person adds the following part, and so on through a set sequence. At the end the folded stories are unfolded and read aloud for comic effect.

The two games work the same way: players contribute in turn without seeing the earlier parts. Consequences is the traditional parlour version, usually building a short story from set prompts for a comic result. Exquisite Corpse is the name the Surrealist artists gave their version, which often produced drawings or poetic lines instead.

Very little — just paper and a pen or pencil for each player, plus at least three or four people to keep the results surprising. No board, cards, or special equipment are required. Because everyone writes at the same time and hides their words, even a large group can join in easily.