APLIT

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of art or literature.

Aside

A short remark by a character to the audience or another character, unheard by others on stage.

Blank verse

Unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter.

Soliloquy

A speech by a character alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts.

Sonnet

A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme, often about love.

Monologue

A long speech by one character to other characters on stage.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something the characters do not.

Foil

A character who contrasts with another to highlight their qualities.

Greek Comedy

Ancient Greek play that mocked society and ended happily.

Greek Tragedy

Ancient Greek play showing a hero’s downfall due to fate or flaw.

Iambic Pentameter

A line of verse with five iambs (unstressed/stressed syllables).

Deus ex machina

An unexpected power or event that resolves a story’s conflict.

Tragic Flaw (Hamartia)

A character’s weakness or mistake leading to their downfall.

Pun

A play on words with double meanings for humor or effect.

Protagonist

The main character or hero of a story.

Antagonist

The character or force opposing the protagonist.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals truth.

Oxymoron

Two opposite words placed together for effect (e.g., “jumbo shrimp”).

Dialogue

Conversation between two or more characters.

Greek Chorus

A group that comments on the action and themes of the play.

Anachronism

Something out of its proper historical time.

Comic relief

A humorous scene that lightens tension in a serious story.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

Prologue

An introduction that gives background before the story begins.

Playwright

The author or creator of a play.

Denouement

The final resolution or outcome of a story’s plot.

Enjambment

Continuation of a sentence or thought beyond a line of poetry.

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds within words.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences.