Aside

An aside is a short remark that a character makes directly to the audience, or to themselves. The other characters on stage are understood not to hear it. It lets a character share a private thought, reaction or intention in the middle of a scene.

Unlike a longer soliloquy, it does not break away from the action. Asides create intimacy and often dramatic irony, because the audience is let in on something the other characters do not know. They are a quick, pointed device for revealing true feelings behind a character's public behaviour.

In Literature, recognising an aside helps you explain how a writer creates dramatic irony and lets the audience see behind a character's mask. Examiners reward you for noting the gap between what a character says to others and what they confide in an aside. It is a compact device that reveals motive quickly.

Using the correct term shows precise understanding of how drama speaks to an audience.

A character thanks a rival warmly in front of the crowd, then mutters to the audience that he intends to see the rival fail. This exposes his real feelings.

Point out that the remark is meant only for the audience, not the other characters. Then explain the effect. It usually reveals true feelings and creates dramatic irony.

Contrast the aside with what the character says openly. Distinguish it from a soliloquy, which is longer and spoken when the character is alone on stage rather than mid-scene.

You may also find writing formats and annotated model responses useful. Next, visit our skills guides for IGCSE English to see terms like this used in real answers. Our IGCSE English tuition page explains how lessons run. When you are ready, the paid one-hour trial is the first step.