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the author of a play


The final speech of a character at the end of a play.

stage directions

notes in the play that tell the actors what to say and do.


repeating of a phrase or stanza in a work of literature for emphasis!


2 consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme


a group of lines that form a unit in a poem or song

end rhyme

Repetition of the same sound at the end of a line of poetry.

rhyme scheme

The pattern of a poem that is formed by the end rhyme of each line (using the


two syllables--the first one unstressed and the second one stressed

iambic pentameter

-a 10-syllable line with 5 iambs.


a 14-line lyric poem where each line is iambic pentameter.


repetition of consonant sounds in groups of words.

suspension of disbelief

the audience's willingness to believe the unbelievable and sacrifice 'logic' for the sake of enjoyment.


A character in fiction who sets off the protagonist or some other character by comparison.

figurative language

language not intended to be interpreted to mean exactly what it says.

literal language

language that means exactly what it says


Language that appeals to the senses


a comparison between two unlike things using the words like or as


a comparison between two unlike things which does not use the words like or as


giving inanimate objects human characteristics


the humorous use of a word or phrase to suggest two or more meanings at the same time.

dramatic irony

When the audience knows something that the characters do not know.

irony of situation

When an action is the opposite of what the character and audience expects.

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