ASIDE

CREATIVE WRITING
In a story or play, a character
may turn to the audience to
make an observation or quippy
remark that the other
characters can’t hear. This act
is referred to as an aside in
literature.

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WHAT IS AN ASIDE?
The definition of aside is when a character in
a work of fiction addresses the audience
directly for a moment to either express a
truth, reveal a feeling, or comment on the
events of the story. This device is commonly
found in books, plays, television, and film.
During an aside, a character may literally step
aside to deliver commentary that cannot be
heard by any other characters in the story,
only the audience. The character may “
break the fourth wall”—the implied plane that
marks the “edge” of the onstage action—and
address the viewers directly, or they may
make brief comments to themselves that the
audience overhears.
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The fourth wall is a
performance convention in
which an invisible,
imaginary wall separates
actors from the audience.
While the audience can see
through this "wall", the
convention assumes the 4
EXAMPLE
Dora routinely break the
fourth wall to encourage
interaction from her young
viewers.

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4 PURPOSES OF AN ASIDE

1. Foreshadowing: An aside can help

clue the audience in on an event that is
about to unfold in the world of the text.
Giving your audience a small glimpse of
the conflict to come can ramp up
anticipation and tension, making for a
much more dramatic experience.

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 EXAMPLE
[Scene: A detective's office. Detective Smith is
reviewing evidence.]
Detective Smith: [Looking at a photograph, speaking
aside] This clue seems insignificant at the moment,
but my gut tells me it holds the key to unraveling the
entire mystery. There's more to this case than meets
the eye. [Detective Smith continues with the
investigation, but the audience is now aware of the
importance of the clue and the impending conflict.]

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Detective Smith's aside provides the
audience with a glimpse of the conflict
to come. By expressing their intuition
and emphasizing the significance of a
seemingly minor clue, the detective
foreshadows that it will play a crucial
role in the story's unfolding events. This
creates anticipation and tension in the
audience, as they eagerly await the
resolution of the mystery.

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 4 PURPOSES OF AN ASIDE

2. Revealing a character’s intentions: Many villainous

or crafty characters in literature will have asides to

the audience that reveal their true motivations,

inner thoughts, or feelings about another character.

These moments can give the audience a better

understanding of who this character is and what

their goals are. It can also create a conspiratorial

dynamic between a character and the audience.

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EXAMPLE
[Scene: A dimly lit room. A villainous character, Richard, is
speaking directly to the audience.]
Richard: [Smirking, speaking aside] Ah, Lady Amelia, little
does she know that my charm is nothing more than a mask for
my true intentions. She believes I'm enamored by her wealth,
but my real goal is to seize her family's estate and become the
sole owner. With her out of the picture, nothing will stand in my
way. [Richard resumes his conversation with Lady Amelia, but
the audience now understands his ulterior motives.]

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Richard's aside reveals his true
intentions to the audience. By sharing
his thoughts, Richard establishes a
conspiratorial dynamic with the
audience, as if they are complicit in his
scheme. This creates a sense of tension
and anticipation, as the audience now
has knowledge that other characters in
the story lack.

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4 PURPOSES OF AN ASIDE

3. Revealing vital information: A main

character may use an aside to
reveal critical information to the
audience that otherwise would
not be revealed within the
context of the play.

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EXAMPLE
[Scene: A courtroom. The protagonist, Lisa, is on trial for a
crime she did not commit.]
Lisa: [Whispering aside to the audience] I must confess the
truth. It was not I who committed the crime, but rather my twin
sister, Sarah. She framed me to protect herself. I have to find a
way to prove my innocence and reveal her deception. [Lisa
continues to defend herself in the trial, but the audience now
possesses vital information about the true culprit.]

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Lisa's aside provides the audience with
essential information that is not
disclosed in the courtroom proceedings.
By sharing the truth about her twin
sister's involvement, Lisa reveals a
crucial element of the story that would
otherwise remain unknown. This insight
enables the audience to empathize with
Lisa's predicament and creates suspense
as they anticipate the resolution of the
conflict.

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4 PURPOSES OF AN ASIDE

4. Comic relief: Asides aren’t always

used by villains for sinister
purposes. Some literary asides
simply meant to bring the audience
in on a joke, creating an affable
relationship between the viewer
and the characters.
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EXAMPLE
[Scene: A busy kitchen. Chef Gordon is preparing a dish while
talking to the audience.]
Chef Gordon: [Smiling, speaking aside] Ah, the secret
ingredient for this dish? A pinch of love and a sprinkle of magic.
Just don't tell my sous-chefs; they think it's all about the fancy
spices. [Chef Gordon continues cooking and interacting with the
other characters, but the audience shares in the humor of his
behind-the-scenes revelation.]

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EXAMPLE
Chef Gordon's aside breaks the fourth wall and involves the
audience in a lighthearted moment. By sharing a playful secret
about the dish, the chef creates a sense of camaraderie with the
viewers, as if they are part of an inside joke.
This adds a touch of levity to the scene, allowing the audience to
laugh and enjoy a moment of comic relief. The aside creates an
affable relationship between the characters and the viewers,
fostering a connection based on shared humor.

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