Follow-Up Poll: AU versus AR

[kennahijja]

Alright, people - I ran into a definition problem with yesterday's poll. Basically, I used the options Alternate Universe (AU) and Alternate Reality (AR) because those often turn up as categories in archives, but I have no idea what they mean exactly.

Ok, I do know what area they cover - from 'nonmagical AU' to H/D as dragon riders in a fantasy dimension to Harry-in-Slytherin to Sirius/Remus living happily ever after after the war, no Veil. But the difference? Not a clue. So...


[Poll #785583]

And abuse the comments if you run out of space!

Comments

[magic-at-mungos.livejournal.com]

I know there’s a difference but I’m not sure how to articulate it.

I know one is when the outcome of a single event changes everything else and the other is where the characters are off in Prohibition America or something. I think the second is an alternate reality where the other is an alternate universe.

I’m not sure though….

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

Why, it's a quite clear explanation, and btw, I agree with it :)

[magic-at-mungos.livejournal.com]

I was never quite sure which one was which or whether I was just talking out of my arse. Nice to see I was making some sense for a change :D

[kennahijja.livejournal.com]

It's straight to the point, I think. By now I'm totally confused on what is what, but the difference has become beautifully defined :).