Technique
Verisimilitude
From Latin verisimilis: truth-like. Aristotle praised mimesis; verisimilitude was a key criterion in Renaissance dramatic theory. In poetry, it governs the credibility of persona and narrative.
Definition
The quality of seeming true or lifelike — the convincing appearance of reality within a literary work.
Example
The dramatic monologue achieves verisimilitude by constructing a plausible, psychologically consistent speaking voice.