Academic Vocabulary Terms Flashcards
Point of View
The perspective from which a story is told
Voice
The characteristic speech and thought patterns of a first-person narrator; a persona
Chorus
One or more people who recites the prologue to each act
Internal Conflict
A mental or emotional struggle that occurs within a character
External Conflict
A struggle that occurs between a character and outside forces
Dramatic Irony
Occurs when the audience knows something that a character does not
Monologue
A dramatic speech delivered by a character
Soliloquy
A dramatic or literary form of discourse in which a character talks to themselves or reveals their thoughts without addressing a listener
Pun
A play on words
Foil Character
A character who has contrasting or complementary characteristics to the protagonist
Blank Verse
An unrhymed verse having regular meter, usually of iambic pentameter
Prose
Ordinary speech or writing, without metrical structure
Couplet
A unit of verse consisting of two successive lines
Epiphany
A sudden comprehension or perception of reality
Tragic flaw
The flaw in the protagonist in a tragedy that brings the them to ruin or sorrow
Aside
A piece of dialogue intended for the audience
Theme
A central idea or message of a literary work
Mood
The atmosphere created by the setting and actions of the people and characters in it; how the emotionally responds to these elements
Indirect Characterization
The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character’s speech, actions, appearances, etc
Direct Characterization
The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed by the use of descriptive adjectives, phrases, or epithets
Prologue
An introductory scene, preceding the first act of a play; usually calling attention to the theme
Verbal Irony
When a person says or writes on thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning
Situational Irony
When actions have effect that is opposite from what is intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected
Iambic Pentameter
A common meter in poetry consisting of an unrhymed line with five feet or accents, each foot containing an unaccented syllable and accented syllable
Stage Right
The part of the stage that is right of center as one faces the audience
Upstage
The rear half of the stage
Stage Left
The part of left to the center as one faces the audience
Audience
The group of spectators at a play
Downstage
At or toward the front of the stage
Inverted Order
The verb that proceeds the subject
Theatrical Elements
The physical, visual, and oral means the director used to convey meaning
Allusion
The referral to a literary, historical, or cultural moment, figure, or event
Subtext
The underlying or implicit meaning, as of a literary work
Volume
The strength of sound
Pitch
To deliver in a certain tone or style, or with a certain audience in mind
Rate
The speed at which sound is made
Pauses
A temporary stop or rest
Vocal Clarity
The quality of being clearly heard and easily understood
Pronunciation/articulation
The clear and understandable rendering of speech
Protagonist
The main, or most important, characters in a play
Antagonist
The person or thing acting against the protagonist, or hero; does not have to be alive or the same species
Drama
A play written for stage, radio, film, or television, usually about a serious topic or situation
Tragedy
A dramatic play that tells the story of a main character who meets an untimely, and unhappy death or downfall
Intended Effect
The effect that is being sought
Gesture
A movement of your body that shows or emphasizes an idea or a feeling
Posture
The way in which your body is positioned when you are sitting or standing
Movement
The act of moving from one place or position to another
Body Language
Movements or positions of the body that express a person’s thoughts or feeling
Center Stage
The part of the stage that is center as one faces the audience
