conflict

struggle between opposing forces

theme

main idea in a work of literature; a perception about life or human nature that the writer shares with the reader

irony

contrast between appearance and reality, usually one in which reality is the opposite from what it seems

foreshadow

writer's use of hints or clues to indicate what will happen later in a plot

imagery

descriptive words and phrases that re-create sensory experiences for the reader

symbol

a person, place, activity or object in a story that stands for something beyond itself

aside

A character's remark, either to the audience or to another character, that others on the stage are not supposed to hear. The purpose is to reveal the character's private thoughts. Asides are usually spoken to the audience.

soliloquy

A speech the character gives when he or she is alone on the stage. It is to let the audience know what the character is thinking.

poetry

a type of literature in which words are chosen and arranged to create a certain effect

iambic pentameter

metrical line of five feet or units, each of which is made up of two syllables, the first unstressed and second stressed

rhyme

the occurrence of a similar or identical sound at the ends of two or more words, such as heat, suite, and complete. End rhyme occurs at the ends of lines and internal rhyme occurs within a line.

rhyme scheme

a pattern of end rhyme in a poem

stanza

a grouping of two or more lines in a pattern that is repeated throughout a poem

couplet

a rhymed pair of lines

free verse

poetry that does not contain a regular pattern

pun

A joke that comes from a play on words.

foil

A character who provides a striking contrast to another character.

setting

The time and place of the action in a story

climax

When the reader's interest and emotional intensity reach the highest point

sonnet

a lyric poem of 14 lines, usually written in iambic pentameter