The Crucible: a place or occasion of severe test or trial

Elements of Plot and Drama

• Exposition- the part of a play or work of fiction in which the background to the main conflict is introduced
  
• Rising action- building of suspense up to the climax
  
• Climax- the turning point of action brought about about with great intensity, the plot of the story, also where things begin to resolve
  
• Falling action- shows effect from the climax
  
• Resolution- problems are resolved and story ends
  

*Foil- minor character whose traits contrast sharply with those of the main character (character that contrasts the main character)

*Monologue- long speech spoken by a single character to himself or herself, or to the audience

*Soliloquy- (thinking out loud) a monologue in which a character speaks his or her private thoughts aloud and appears to be unaware of the audience

*Aside- a short speech or comment that is delivered by a character to the audience, but that is beyond the hearing of other characters who are present

*Spectral Evidence- the testimony of a church member who claimed to have seen a person's spirit performing witchcraft- was enough to sentence the accused to death