DRAMA TERMS

ACT  A major unit in a play (similar to a chapter in a book)

SCENE  A smaller division of an act

STAGE DIRECTIONS  The italicized instructions in a play  Describe the setting, suggest the use of props, lighting, scenery, sound effects and costumes

TRAGEDY  A dramatic work that presents the downfall of a dignified character who is involved in historically, morally or socially significant events.

TRAGIC FLAW  A trait that leads a character to his/her downfall

MONOLOGUE  A long, uninterrupted speech that is spoken in the presence of other characters

SOLILOQUY  A single character alone on stage thinking out loud  A way of letting the audience know what is on the character’s mind

ASIDE  Words that are spoken by a character in a play to the audience or to another character but that are not supposed to be overheard by the others onstage  A way for characters to tell a secret

FOIL  A character whose traits contrast with those of another

FORESHADOWING  Lines that give hints or clues to future events

IRONY  How a person, situation, statement or is not as it would actually seem

ELEMENTS OF A SHAKESPEAREAN TRAGEDY  Exposition  Rising action with exciting force  Climax  Falling Action  Catastrophe