1. Academic Vocabulary: Dramatic Devices
English II
Academic Vocabulary: Dramatic Devices

2. Author’s Purpose What was the purpose the author wrote
each of these books?
A writer usually writes for one or more purposes: to express himself or herself, to inform or explain, to persuade, and to entertain.
Example:
Guy De Maupassant’s purpose for writing the “The Necklace” was to entertain.

3. Dialogue Written conversations between two or more characters.
Writers use dialogue to bring characters to life and give readers insight on the characters’ qualities, personality traits, and reactions to other characters.
Example
“Do you like watching American Idol?” asked Andrew.
“Of course,” replied Jermaine.
**Notice when a new speaker
Begins, a new line begins

4. Monologue
A long important speech by one person directed toward others.
A part of a play in which a single character speaks without expecting a response from others but his/her words are directed at others.

5. Soliloquy
A long important speech in which a character speaks inner thoughts aloud
Generally, character is on stage alone, not speaking to other characters or isn’t aware of other characters. Speech not directed towards others.

6. Tragedy
A dramatic work that presents the downfall of a dignified character or characters who are involved in historically or socially significant events
Kind of play in which events turn out disastrously for the main character or characters
Often, the hero or heroine dies
Events are set in motion by a decision that is often an error in judgment
Succeeding events are linked in a cause-and-effect relationship and lead inevitably to a disastrous conclusion, usually death
Romeo & Juliet

7. Tragic Hero Main Character of a tragedy.
Has a downfall at the end of the play.
Always dies in a Shakespearean play but not in all other tragedies
May have more than one in a story
Has a tragic flaw

8. Tragic Flaw
Character flaw that leads to the character’s death or total destruction
Examples: greed, pride, ambition, rashness, ect
Other than this flaw the character is rather successful

9. Aside
Dramatic device in which a character speaks his or her thoughts aloud, in words meant to be heard by the audience or certain character but not by the other characters
The word ‘Aside’ will be written in the stage directions of a play but can be indicated in a play by various techniques like lighting, perceived whispers, etc.

10. Dramatic Irony
When the audience knows something the character(s) doesn’t. (In a play this can be created with an aside so it is important to read the stage directions)

11. Pun
A play on words. A word that has more than one meaning is used in a way that takes advantage of multiple meanings

12. Malapropism
When a person uses the wrong word in a situation or a made up word instead of a real word that was what was intended.
This is usually done accidentally
It shows a character is less intelligent
Shakespeare uses these for comedic affect. Often the servants speak with malapropisms.

13. Comic Relief
Comedy used to lighten the mood of a play often in the middle of intense scenes
Shakespeare used puns, malapropisms, and the servants or lower class as comic relief

14. Foil
Two characters who are the opposite of each other in personality but can be compared because of similarities in age, gender, and social status
Used for emphasis on their differences
Example: Max and Michael Holtzapfel
From The Book Thief

15. Confidante A person you tell your secrets to
Important in stories because it can help show the character’s inner thoughts