It Is But It Isn't
Poetic Terms
Dramatic Terms
Other Fig Lang
Characters
100
A verbal paradox in which two words seemingly contradict one another.
What is OXYMORON
100
When the rhyme occurs within a line of poetry
What is INTERNAL RHYME
100
A play in which the events lead to the downfall of the hero.
What is TRAGEDY
100
Exaggeration in the service of truth
What is HYPERBOLE
100
A character who grows or changes over the course of a text
What is DYNAMIC CHARACTER
200
When a character says the opposite of what he/she means.
What is VERBAL IRONY
200
A metrical line containing four feet.
What is TERTAMETER
200
When a stage character turns from the person they've been previously talking to in order to directly address the audience.
What is ASIDE
200
A narrative form that presents the private thoughts of a character without commentary or interpretation by the author/narrator.
What is STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS
200
When the author shows us the character in action (STEAL!) compelling readers to make inference about him/him.
What is INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
300
A reference, stated or implied, to something in previous history or literature.
What is ALLUSION
300
An accented syllable followed by an unaccented syllable. (DUM-duh)
What is TROCHEE
300
When one aspect of something is used to represent the whole.
What is METONYMY
300
A minor character whose situation or actions parallel those of the protagonist to contrast or highlight something of significance.
What is FOIL
400
A narrative that has a second meaning beneath the surface. A connected set of metaphors, as in "The Crucible".
What is ALLEGORY
400
When the speaker of a poem addresses something or someone or absent or dead as if it were there and alive and could reply.
What is APOSTROPHE
400
The beginning of a play (or story) where background about characters and conflict is established.
What is EXPOSITION
400
When a character says less than what he/she means or with less force than the occasion warrants.
What is UNDERSTATEMENT
400
A character who is complex and many-sided.
What is ROUND CHARACTER
500
When a comparison is made between two things, essentially unlike, and where only one of these things is directly named.
What is IMPLIED METAPHOR
500
Repetition of an opening word or phrase in a series of poetic lines.
What is ANAPHORA
500
Repetition of final consonant sounds.
What is CONSONANCE
500
A group of characters signing in unison, explaining background information -- typical of Greek drama.
What is CHORUS
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