1.
Alliteration: The repetition of the same sounds at the beginning of words. Ex: "Oh he's the Courageous Captain of Compliments..."
2.
Aside: Character's says lines on stage that not all characters are meant to hear. Ex: Capulet servant asks "Is the law on our side?"
3.
Chorus: One actor who serves as a narrator and sets the stage. In Shakespeare plays, he might wear a black cloak.
4.
Comic Relief: A humorous scene, incident, or speech in the course of a serious literary work. Used to relieve emotional intensity. The nurse often makes us laugh.
5.
Conflict: A struggle between two opposing forces. Ex: The Capulets vs. the Montagues
6.
Dramatic irony: Audience knows something important that a character does not know. Ex: We know that Romeo loves Juliet, but his friends do not.
7.
Irony: The contrast between expectation and reality. A "twist of fate." Ex: The Capulets & Montagues only stop feuding after their children die.
8.
Literary foil: A character whose personality or actions is in striking contrast to those of another character. Ex: Tybalt and Benevolio.
9.
Malapropism: A ludicrous or humorous misuse of a word. Ex: The nurse asks for a confidence instead of a conference.
10.
Oxymoron: A figure of speech that combines opposite or contrary terms. Ex: Loving hate, heavy lightness.
11.
Personification: A figure of speech in which human qualities are attributed to an animal, object, or idea. Ex: "the heel of limping winter"
12.
Prologue: A brief outline, in advance, of the action. Preview that highlights main ideas and themes. Ex: The sonnets that begin Acts I & II.
13.
Pun: A play on words which is humorous or witty. Ex: Tomorrow you will find me a "grave" man (both serious & dead).
14.
Setting: Time and place of the story. In Romeo and Juliet begins in Verona, Italy on a Sunday.
15.
Soliloquy: A speech a character gives when the character is alone. Purpose: Let the audience knows the character's thoughts. Ex: Juliet speaking of her love for Romeo during the balcony scene.
