English Terms - Terms For Prose and Drama - 09/25/25

Abstract

dealing with ideas rather than concrete realities

Anachronism

something out of its proper time period

Antagonist

the character or force opposing the protagonist

Antihero

a central character lacking traditional heroic traits

Aphorism

a concise statement expressing a general truth or observation

Aside

a remark made by a character to the audience unheard by other characters

Autobiography

a person’s account of their own life

Biography

a written account of someone else’s life

Catastrophe

the final disastrous conclusion in a tragedy

Catharsis

emotional cleansing or release, especially in tragedy

Characterization

the process by which an author describes and develops characters

Flat character

a simple, one‑dimensional character

Round character

a complex, well developed character

Chorus

in drama, a group that comments on the action

Comic relief

humorous elements inserted to relieve tension

Conflict

the struggle between opposing forces in a story

Denouement

the resolution or outcome following the climax

Dialogue

conversation between characters in a work

Drama

a work intended for performance, emphasizing conflict and emotion

Comedy

a lighter dramatic work with a happy or amusing ending

Tragedy

a serious work in which the protagonist suffers a downfall

Essay

a short prose work on a particular topic

Fable

a short story illustrating a moral, often with animals as characters

Farce

a comedic work relying on exaggerated situations and physical humor

Flashback

a scene set in an earlier time inserted into the narrative

Narrative point of view

the perspective from which a story is told

Narrator

the voice or character telling the story

Parable

a short allegorical story teaching a moral lesson

Paradox

a statement that appears contradictory but reveals a truth

Parody

a humorous imitation of a style, work, or genre

Personification

giving human qualities to animals, objects, or ideas

Poetry

literature expressed in verse, emphasizing imagery, sound, and rhythm

Rhetorical device

techniques used in writing or speaking to persuade or create effect

Rhetorical question

a question asked for effect rather than answer

Sarcasm

ironic language used to mock or convey contempt

Satire

use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or expose folly

Setting

the time and place in which a story occur

Simile

a comparison using “like” or “as”

Onomatopoeia

a word that imitates the sound it denotes

Stream of consciousness

a narrative mode portraying internal thought flow

Style

the characteristic way an author uses language

Symbolism

using an object or action to represent something beyond its literal meaning

Synecdoche

using part of something to represent the whole (or vice versa)

Theme

the central idea or message of a literary work

Tone

the author’s attitude toward the subject or audience

Foil

a character who contrasts with another to highlight particular qualities

Foreshadowing

hints or clues about what will happen later

Hero / heroine

the principal, admirable character in a work

Hubris

excessive pride or arrogance leading to downfall

Narrative point of view

(duplicate entry) the vantage point from which the narrative is told

First person point of view

narrator is a character speaking in “I”

Second person point of view

addresses the reader as “you”

Third person limited point of view

narrator knows thoughts of one character

Omniscient point of view

all knowing narrator who sees all characters’ thoughts

Plot

the sequence of events in a narrative

Exposition

introduction of background, setting, and characters

Inciting moment

the event that sets the main conflict in motion

Rising action

events that increase tension leading to the climax

Climax

the peak or turning point of action

Falling action

events following the climax leading to resolution

Resolution

the solution of the plot’s conflict

Protagonist

the main character or hero of a story

Structure

the organization or framework of a work

Subplot

a secondary, subordinate plot in a work

Tragic flaw (hamartia)

a defect or mistake in the protagonist that leads to downfall

Soliloquy

a speech in which a character speaks to themselves, revealing inner thoughts