1. Drama Terms 1

2. Drama
Literature that is meant to be performed by actors on stage, radio, or television. Work that is intended for the stage. 2

3. Act
A group of scenes
Shakespeare plays always have 5 acts, but a play can have 1 act as well. 3

4. Scene The smaller episodes within an act
The number of scenes in an act always varies. 4

5. Script
The written form of a play 5

6. Stage Directions
Directions in the script that tell the actor where to move, how to say something, or what to do 6

7. Scenery
Background decorations on the stage used to show setting and create mood 7

8. Props
Items that the actors need to perform the play 8

9. Dialogue
A conversation between two or more characters. 9

10. Foil
A character that is complete opposite of another character 10

11. Monologue
An extended speech spoken by one speaker. This speech is made to others or as if alone. 11

12. Soliloquy
A speech made by a character when they are alone on the stage. It reveals inner thoughts and feelings of the character. 12

13. Aside
A statement that the actor makes to the audience that the rest of the characters on the stage supposedly cannot hear. 13

14. Pun A play on words usually mean to be funny
What do you do when your wheels run out? 14

15. Allusion
a figure of speech in which one refers directly or indirectly to an object or circumstance that has occurred or existed in an external context
Ex: A historical event or person, a piece of literature, a song, a literary character, etc.

16. Tragedy
Presents the story of a noble and powerful figure that suffers a downfall leading to catastrophe. At the end of a tragedy, many, if not all, of the main characters face utter ruin.
This character (or characters) usually meets his/her doom because of a tragic flaw.
Tragedy shows how people become crushed by adversity. 16

17. Comedy
Presents the story of a figure that goes from bad fortune to good, usually through luck or cunning. There is always a happy ending. This ending often involves a happy reunion of characters.
Comedy is often written in a lower, more casual style.
Comedy suggests that we can overcome the challenges that life sets in front of us. 17

18. Plot Mt. In Shakespeare’s Tragedies18