Dramatic Devices

Question 1

Basically the speaking of the actors throughout the play.

Answer 1

Dialogue

Question 2

Usually italicized and put within brackets scattered throughout the text.

Answer 2

Stage Directions

Question 3

A playwright will often describe the placement of furniture; the size, shape, and colour of the props even the style and colour of the costumes worn by the characters. (Basically the background and where the story takes place)

Answer 3

Setting

Question 4

The use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc. It is usually a mockery on trivial issues or people.

Answer 4

Satire

Question 5

People must be able to interpret the mocking tone. It is a way for the author to make fun of characters and their faults. It is how the author sets the mood.

Answer 5

Satirical Tone

Question 6

Refers to the way the play is put together-the sequencing and pacing of the action. The playwright is concerned first and foremost to hold the audience’s interest.

Answer 6

Dramatic Form

Question 7

Must be placed so the members of the audience quickly develop interest in both characters in the play and the situation itself.

Answer 7

Action

Question 8

The structure of a play usually follows a basic structure. One act plays usually have one main plot in comparison to longer plays which have a main plot and many subplots.

Answer 8

Plot

Question 9

Is a secondary arrangement of incidents involving secondary characters who are involved in a situation that poses dramatic questions.

Answer 9

Subplot

Question 10

It is the section that begins the play, introduces the characters, and provides the background information.

Answer 10

Exposition

Question 11

The incident that provides the starting point for the main action of the play. Dilemma or problem is presented to see what needs to be solved quickly.

Answer 11

Dramatic Incitement

Question 12

The question that must be answered such as in a murder mystery. ‘Will the murderer be discovered?”

Answer 12

Dramatic Question

Question 13

Usually forms the main action of the play. The characters respond to the dramatic incitement and other developments that may stem from it. Can also be referred toas the ‘rising action

Answer 13

Complication

Question 14

Usually occurs late in the play. The moment in the play when the dramatic question is answered.

Answer 14

Climax/Crisis

Question 15

It is the final section of the play, in which things are worked out and the conclusion is reached. Can also be referred to as the denouement.

Answer 15

Resolution

Question 16

Is a serious play that dramatizes disastrous downfall of the central characters

Answer 16

Tragedy

Question 17

Tragedies must achieve a purification in the audience by presenting incidents that arouse both fear and pity.

Answer 17

Catharsis

Question 18

The downfall of the protagonist is the result of his or her own tragic flaw, which takes the form of the hands of the gods or fate.

Answer 18

Hubris

Question 19

A source of harm or run, and cannot be beaten or overcome.

Answer 19

Divine Retribution / Nemesis

Question 20

Is a play chiefly to amuse and entertain the audience members by allowing them to feel a sense of superiority over the characters. Usually represents common human frailties.

Answer 20

Comedy

Question 21

It is a play that combines the elements of tragedy and comedy. The play provides a happy ending to a potentially tragic story or it may contain serious and light moods.

Answer 21

Tragicomedy

Question 22

It is a form of sensational drama that first became popular in the 1800s and that we now often see in television and movies. Provide the audience with larger-than-life, one-dimensional characters of pure innocence or great villainy, The conflict is emotionally exaggerated and often simplistic.

Answer 22

Melodrama

Question 23

It has an enormous impact on the audience’s understanding of the character, as well as on the mood and pace of the play.

Answer 23

Language

Question 24

When writing or speaking, we choose the words which seem most suitable to the purpose and audience. In academic writing, we avoid the use of slang and colloquial language.

Answer 24

Formal Language

Question 25

It may make use of slang and colloquialisms, employing the conventions of spoken language. A casual figure of speech.

Answer 25

Informal Language

Question 26

The variety of a language that is distinguished from other varieties of the same language by features of phonology, grammar, and vocabulary. By its use by a group of speakers who are set off from others geographically or socially.

Answer 26

Dialect

Question 27

The ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse. Most common choice for a playwright.

Answer 27

Prose

Question 28

A succession of metrical feet written, printed, or orally composed as one line; one of the lines of a poem. Can be used to create a dramatic effect.

Answer 28

Verse

Question 29

Short, brisk dialogue moves the play quickly and builds audience anticipation. The flow of the overall play. Can create tension for the climax. Longer passages can also face significance in comparison to shorter ones.

Answer 29

Pace

Question 30

The emotion given when the dialogue is spoken.

Answer 30

Tone

Question 31

It is a kind of stage whisper, or behind the hand comment. It may be directed to another character or the audience. Tends to be short single sentences, and often aimed to create laughter.

Answer 31

Aside

Question 32

It is used to provide the audience greater thoughts and insight on the inner thoughts and feelings by a character alone on stage. Can express feelings, plans, or motives.

Answer 32

Soliloquy

Question 33

Allows the audience to know more about the characters situation then does the character. The audience can foresee an outcome that differs then one from the perceived character.

Answer 33

Dramatic Irony

Question 34

Unity of action, place, and time. A good play said by Aristotle must consider these three main factors.

Answer 34

The Unities

Question 35

The audience reads meaning into what is not directly stated.

Answer 35

Inference

Question 36

Words that are pronounced the same but spelt differently.

Answer 36

Homonym

Question 37

When the subject and verb are separated in the sentence by a few words, it is easy to trace the subjects number (singular or plural)

Answer 37

Subject-Verb-Agreement

Question 38

The verb may be either single or plural, depending on the context. Ex. - group or team.

Answer 38

Collective Noun

Question 39

Can be either singular or plural based on the context/pronoun.

Answer 39

Indefinite Pronoun

Question 40

This requires professional memorization, and all resources or most.

Answer 40

Full Production

Question 41

How characters plan to move on stage.

Answer 41

Blocking