| A | B |
| tragedy | a play with a sad ending |
| comedy | a play with a happy ending |
| tragic hero | main character in a tragedy |
| tragic flaw | a tragic ending in a tragedy caused by this |
| dialogue | a conversation between two or more characters |
| plot | the events in a story |
| theme | the main idea of the story |
| conflict | the problem of the story |
| resolution | conclusion, how the conflict is resolved |
| abstract | summary of a text, article, or document |
| rising action | events that lead up to the climax |
| climax | the point of highest tension in the story |
| falling action | events immediately after the climax |
| soliloquy | a long speech by a single character, who is alone on stage, expresses private thoughts and feelings |
| dramatic monologue | a long speech by a single character said in the other character's hearing |
| aside | the character speaks directly to the audience or to another character but not overheard by others onstage |
| foil | character that serves as a contrast to another character |
| stage directions | directions, usually in parentheses, providing instructions for the actors onstage |
| protagonist | main character |
| exposition | setting, where the story takes place |