Trimester 3 literacy terminology 1-12

act

the major units into which dramas/plays are divided

aside

a short speech given by a character in order to express his or her thoughts and feelings. It is usually directed to the audience and not heard by other characters.

comic relief

a technique used to interrupt and serious part of a play by providing humor to relieve tension.

couplet

rhyming lines, usually with the same length and meter. It is mostly found in poems and plays written in verse.

dialogue

A conversation between characters that may reveal their traits and advance the action of the narrative.

drama

a story performed by actors, the script is made up of dialogue (the words actors say) and stage direction (where and how the action happens).

dramatic irony

when the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating tension or humor.

epilogue

a closing section added to a novel, story, etc. providing further comment, specifically, a speech to the audience by a character.

foil

a character who provides contrast to another character.

foreshadowing

the use of clues that suggests events that have yet to occur. This helps create suspense, and keeps readers wondering what will happen next.

iambic pentameter

blank verse containing five iambs (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable), called "feet," in each line.

malapropism

a humorous confusion of words that are similar in sound.