Literary and Dramatic Forms

This set of vocabulary flashcards provides definitions for the poetic forms and dramatic genres identified in the lecture notes.

Villanelle

A 19-line poem with two repeating rhymes and two refrains, consisting of five tercets for the first 15 lines and a final quatrain.

Limerick

A humorous five-line poem characterized by a distinct rhythm and an AABBA rhyme scheme.

Ode

A formal lyric poem of exalted or enthusiastic emotion, typically written in celebration of a person, object, or event.

Elegy

A mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.

Ballad

A narrative poem or song of folk origin, traditionally composed in short stanzas and adapted for singing.

Narrative poem

A form of poetry that tells a story, featuring a plot, characters, and a setting.

Lyric poem

A short poem that focuses on expressing the personal emotions, feelings, or thoughts of a single speaker.

Epic poem

A lengthy narrative poem that chronicles the heroic deeds and extraordinary adventures of legendary or historical figures.

Drama

A composition in prose or verse designed to tell a story through dialogue and performance, intended for theater, radio, or television.

One Act play

A play that consists of only one act and is performed in a single continuous sequence without intermissions.

Multi Act play

A theatrical production divided into two or more acts, often allowing for transitions in time or setting through intermissions.

Screenplay

The written script for a movie or television show, including dialogue, character actions, and scene descriptions.

Opera

A dramatic work set to music for singers and instrumentalists, where the story is primarily conveyed through singing.

Musical

A form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance.

Ballet

An artistic and formalized dance form performed to music, typically telling a story through movement and pantomime without words.