Aside: When an actor is on stage, turns to the audience and makes a statement or asks a question.

Comic Relief: When the author "lightens up" a scene directly after an emotional happening.

Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows the full impact of a situation but the character does not.

Foreboding: Hints and clues the author gives about a future event.

Monologue: When an actor is on stage giving a speech. (DO NOT CONFUSE WITH SOLILOQUY OR ASIDE)

Personification: Figurative language in which nonhuman subjects are given human characteristics.

Pun: A play on words, which may involve using a word/phrase with two different meanings or using a word/phrase with the same sound.

Situational Irony: Event which occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, readers or audience.

Soliloquy: Long speech in which a character is alone on stage. He/she reveals his/her private thoughts and feelings to the audience. (DO NOT CONFUSE WITH ASIDE OR MONOLOGUE.)

Symbol: Anything that stands for something or represents something else.

Tragic Flaw: A serious fault in character that leads to the downfall, destruction and death of that character.

Verbal Irony: When words are used to suggest the opposite of their usual meaning.