English Literature GCSE
Stichomythia
What Stichomythia means in English Literature GCSE, as defined for OCR, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Stichomythia
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Rapid, back-and-forth dialogue between two characters, often used in scenes of high tension or argument. The verbal sparring between Jo and Helen is a key example.
Dialogue in which two characters speak alternate lines of verse/prose, often in rapid, competitive exchange.
Topics that use Stichomythia
- A Taste of Honey (OCR GCSE)
- Much Ado About Nothing (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- Dramatic Irony
- Antagonist
- Antithesis
- Brechtian Devices
- Cuckold
- Cyclical Structure
- Kitchen Sink Drama
- Malapropism
Using Stichomythia in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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