Literary Techniques

a character's lines are spoken directly to the audience

a play on words, especially those that sound alike, but have different meanings

when the outcome of a situation is inconsistent with what would logically or normally occur

a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by a comparison word

italicized comments that identify parts of the setting or the use of props or costumes

the action that occurs after the climax, before everything is wrapped up in the story

a unit in poetry consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable

language which works to evoke images in your mind

an exaggeration made for humor or emphasis

conversation between two or more characters

normal speech rhythm

a substitution of a more pleasant expression for one whose meaning may seem rude or offensive

when the audience or reader knows something that the characters in the story do not know

the beginning of the action that will lead to a high point in the story

a 10-syllable line divided into 5 iambic feet; one unstressed and one stressed syllable

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is replaced by another indicating a similarity

repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of the words or stressed syllables

attributing human characteristics to a non-human objects

indicates the struggle between two or more opposing forces; can create suspense or tension

the central idea or message in a work of literature

two rhyming lines at the end of a speech, signals a character leaving the stage

the beginning of the story that gives background information on characters and previous action

writing or speech that is not meant to be taken literally

when a speaker or writer says one thing but actually means the opposite

a break in the seriousness for a moment of comedy or silliness

when two opposite terms are used together

a long speech by a character to himself, another character, or to the audience

hints of events to occur later in the story

the ending of the story; all major conflicts are finished

non-rhyming poetry, usually written in iambic pentameter; close to normal speech rhythms

thoughts spoken aloud by a character when he/she is alone, or thinks he/she is alone

a literary reference to a well-known work of art, music, history or literature

a word or phrase with more than one meaning, usually when the second meaning is risque'

the turning point of the story

a contradiction between what is expected and what actually is--or appearance vs reality