Language and Dialogue Techniques

Allusion

A brief, indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or historical/cultural idea.

Anecdote

A short, interesting story or amusing event used to support a point.

Challenge

A call to take part in a contest or competition.

Cliché

An overused phrase or opinion that betrays a lack of original thought.

Colloquialism

Informal, conversational language.

Connotation

The implied, cultural, or emotional meaning of a word beyond its literal definition.

Direct Speech

Repeating or quoting the exact words spoken.

Indirect Speech

Expressing the content of statements or questions without quoting them explicitly.

Distancing Language

Euphemisms or jargon used to create emotional distance from a topic.

Emotive Language

Deliberate word choices designed to elicit specific emotions and influence the audience.

Equivocation

The use of ambiguous language to conceal truth or avoid commitment.

Euphemism

An idiomatic expression used to hide the unpleasantness of a literal meaning.

Flattery

Excessive and insincere praise given to further one's own interests.

Gaps / Pauses / Silences

Moments in a play without dialogue that still communicate information.

Hesitation

Halting or faltering speech.

High/Low Modality

Language indicating degrees of possibility, probability, permission, or obligation.

Hyperbole

Huge exaggeration or overstatement.

Idiom

A fixed expression with a figurative meaning distinct from its literal meaning.

Imagery

Writing that appeals to the physical senses.

Imperative Language

Language used to express demands, commands, or instructions.

Inclusive/Exclusive Language

Language that either welcomes a wide audience or restricts understanding using specialized terms.

Innuendo

An indirect, often derogatory hint about a person or thing.

Interrogation

Repeated and consistent questioning of one particular character.

Interruptions

Disruptions to a character's dialogue by other characters or actions.

Irony

A contrast between appearance and reality, where the intended meaning differs from literal words.

Jargon

Vocabulary specific to a particular professional, social, or interest group.

Manipulative Language

Words used to unfairly control, influence, or sway others' emotions and behaviors.

Metaphor

A direct comparison claiming that one thing is another.

Metonymy

Replacing the name of a thing with something closely associated with it.

Motif

A recurring object or idea throughout a literary work.

Onomatopoeia

Words that mimic the actual sounds they describe.

Repetition

Repeating words or sentences purposefully for emphasis or effect.

Rhetorical Questions

Questions asked to make a point rather than elicit an answer.

Sarcasm

Irony used to mock, deride, or insult through false praise.

Simile

A comparison of two things using 'like' or 'as'.

Slang

Informal words that are not part of standard vocabulary.

Swearing and Expletives

Offensive words used especially to express anger.

Threats

Statements of intention to inflict pain, injury, or hostile action in retribution.

Tone

The writer's or speaker's attitude toward a subject or audience.

Verbosity

Using an unnecessary number of words to express an idea.

Word Choice that Positions the Speaker

Language choices used by a playwright to shape how the audience views a character.