3rd Person Limited

When an outside narrator shares the thoughts of only one character.

3rd Person Omniscient

When an outside narrator knows the thoughts of all characters.

Alliteration

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

Antagonist

The villain/bad guy; often the character who causes/creates the conflict in the story.

Aside

When an actor turns and speaks directly to the audience. Only the audience knows what was said.

Character Foil

Conflict

Conflict Resolution

When a conflict is solved, usually by the protagonist.

Dialogue

What characters say to each other; conversation between 2 or more people.

Dramatic Irony

When there is a difference between what one character says/thinks and what the audience knows is true.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Inferencing

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

Introduction

A preliminary part, as of a book, musical composition, or the like, leading up to the main part. Revealing information not known to the reader earlier.

Metaphor

A figure of speech which makes an implied or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics.

Meter

A unit of rhythm in poetry, the pattern of the beats

Monologue

A long speech spoken by one character to other characters. The other characters do not respond.

Non-linear Plot

When a story is told out of chronological order.

Onomatopoeia

A word, which imitates the natural sounds of a thing.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. 

Paradox

Contrary to expectations, existing belief or perceived opinion.

Personification

Giving non-human objects human characteristics. Non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings.

Point-of-view

The angle of considering things, which shows us the opinion, or feelings of the individuals involved in a situation.

Protagonist

The hero/good guy; usually is the person who solves the conflict in the story.

Rhyme

Repetition of the same sound - most often in the final syllables of lines of poetry.

Rhythm

Demonstrates patterns through stressed and unstressed syllables.

Simile

Comparing or showing similarities between two different things using the words "like" or "as."

Situational Irony

 A situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is unexpected.

Soliloquy

An inner conversation that a character has with himself and the audience overhears. It reveals a lot about the speaker.

Stage Design

Stage Directions

Tells actors exactly what to do, how to do it, what to say, how to say it. 

Symbolism

The use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.

Thesis Statement

States the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control the ideas within the paper.

Tone

An attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience.

Dramatic

Literature

Literature that's meant to be performed.

Imagery

Use of particular words that create visual representation of ideas in our minds.

Plot

The storyline/the events that occur in the story.

Flashback

A scene set in a time earlier than the main story.

Exposition

A literary device used to introduce background information about events, settings, characters etc. to the audience or readers. 

Foreshadowing

A hint or indication of a future event in a story.

Linear Plot

When a story is told in chronological order.

Theme

A major subject/idea presented in a story (ex. parent/child relationships, criminal justice, prejudice); Underlying meaning of a literary work.