| A | B |
|---|
| Allusion | A reference to a historical or literary figure or event. Example: I am no Prince Hamlet. |
| Anachronism | something used in a play that is not historically accurate, usually because it's from another time period |
| Antagonist | the character who works against the protagonist in the story |
| Aside | a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage |
| Cast | the actors in a play |
| Climax | Most exciting moment of the story; turning point |
| Comedy | light and humorous drama with a happy ending |
| Conflict | a struggle between opposing forces |
| curtain call | at the end of the performance, the bows the performers take |
| drama | a story written to be performed by actors |
| dramatic irony | when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't |
| dress rehearsal | The final rehearsal of a play |
| exposition | introduces the characters |
| external conflict | a struggle between a character and an outside force |
| falling action | events after the climax, leading to the resolution |
| foreshadowing | gives clues that suggest what might happen in the future |
| internal conflict | a problem or struggle within a character |
| irony | the opposite of what is expected |
| motivation | the force that moves people to act |
| paraphrase | to restate in other words |
| plot diagram | an outline or framework for a story (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) |
| protagonist | main character |
| pun | a joke that results from multiple word meanings |
| resolution | End of the story where loose ends are tied up |
| rising action | A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax. |
| Satire | the use of humor to emphasize human weaknesses or imperfections in social institutions |
| Script | a set of papers with writing that will be read and acted out |
| situational irony | what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate |
| soliloquy | a speech given by a character alone on stage |
| theme | The main idea of the story |
| tragedy | A serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character |
| verbal irony | A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant |
