| Character speaks directly to the audience or another character, but others cannot hear. | – |
| Character who contrasts directly with another character—typically the protagonist | – |
| Hierarchical order of the universe: God, King, Man | – |
| Events, conflicts, or character interactions occur out of the audience's direct view | – |
| author attributes human emotions, thoughts, or sensations to inanimate objects, animals, or elements of nature. | – |
| a sudden, unexpected twist in a story where a character's circumstances drastically shift, | – |
| the time, place, and environmental context in which a narrative takes place | – |
| character speaks their innermost thoughts aloud while alone on stage or apart from other characters | – |
| unspoken, hidden, or implied meaning beneath the surface of a story, character dialogue, or action | – |
| an inherent personality defect or error in judgment that ultimately leads to a protagonist's downfall. | – |