AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP English Literature and Composition 2019 Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
13815657483adageA saying that becomes widely accepted as truth over time. Usually observances of life and behaviour that express a general truth. Ex: "A penny saved is a penny earned."0
13815657484allegoryA story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical or possibly ethical meaning.1
13815657485alliterationThe repetition of one or more initial consonant in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose. Writers use this for ornament or for emphasis.2
13815657486allusionA reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.3
13815657487ambiguityA vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation.4
13815657488anachronismA person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time/era in which the work is set.5
13815657489analogyA comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to something else that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar.6
13815657490antagonistA character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict.7
13815657491antithesisA rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.8
13815657492aphorismA statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner. The term is often applied to philosophical, moral and literary principles.9
13815657493ApollonianIn contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behaviour.10
13815657494apostropheA figure of speech where the writer or speaker detaches himself from his present reality and addresses an imaginary character in his speech.11
13815657495archetypeA character, action or situation which represents or reflects a commonly held or universal pattern, such as human nature.12
13815657496assonanceThe repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose.13
13815657497balladA simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited; a long narrative poem, usually in very regular meter and rhyme, typically has a folksy quality14
13815657498bardA poet or a performer in olden times who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment.15
13815657499BildungsromanA special kind of novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of its main character from his or her youth to adulthood. Generally, such a novel starts with a loss or a tragedy that disturbs the main character emotionally. He or she leaves on a journey to fill that vacuum.16
13815657500blank versePoetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton; its lines generally do not rhyme.17
13815657501bombastInflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects.18
13815657502cacophonyThe use of words with sharp, harsh, hissing and unmelodious sounds, primarily those of consonants, to achieve the desired results. Ex: "I detest war because cause of war is always trivial."19
13815657503caesuraIt involves creating a fracture within a sentence, where the two separate parts are distinguishable from one another yet intrinsically linked; the purpose is to create a dramatic pause. Ex: "Mozart- oh, how your music makes me soar!"20
13815657504canonThe works most widely read, studied, and considered most important in national literature or in a specific literary period.21
13815657505caricatureA grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things; a portrait that exaggerates a facet of personality.22
13815657506catharsisA cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy.23
13815657507classicismDeriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity and restraint.24
13815657508conceitA figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors; it develops a comparison which is exceedingly unlikely but is, nonetheless, intellectually imaginative.25
13815657509anticlimaxThis occurs when an action produces far smaller results than one had been led to expect; it is frequently comic in effect.26
13815657510anti-heroA protagonist who is markedly un-heroic, morally weak, cowardly, dishonest, or any number of other unsavoury qualities; he is not just good or noble like a conventional hero.27
13815657511asideA speech (usually just a short comment) made by an actor to the audience, as though momentarily stepping outside of the action on stage.28
13815657512atmosphereThe emotional tone or background that surrounds a scene.29
13815657513black humorThe use of disturbing themes in comedy. Ex: two tramps comically debating over which should commit suicide first, and whether the branches of a tree will support their weight.30
13815657514cadencethe beat or rhythm of poetry in a general sense31
13815657515cantois a divider in long poems, much like chapters in a novel32
13815657516coinagea.k.a. neologism, inventing a word33
13815657517colloquialismthis is a word or phrase used in everyday conversational English that isn't a part of accepted "schoolbook" English34
13815657518controlling imagewhen an image dominates and shapes the entire work35
13815657519metaphysical conceita type of conceit that occurs only in metaphysical poetry36
13815657520connotationthe suggest or implied meaning of a word/phrase37
13815657521consonancethe repetition of two or more consonant sounds within a group of words or a line of poetry38
13815657522coupleta pair of lines that end in rhyme39
13815657523heroic couplettwo rhyming lines in iambic pentameter are called this40
13815657524denotationthe literal, dictionary definition of a word41
13815657525denouementthe resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work or fiction42
13815657526Dionysianas distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure seeking impulses43
13815657527dictionthe choice of words in oral and written discourse44
13815657528syntaxthe ordering and structuring of the words in a sentence45
13815657529dirgea song for the dead, its tone is typically slow, heavy, and melancholy46
13815657530dissonancethe grating of incompatible sounds47
13815657531doggerelcrude, simplistic verse, often in sing-song rhyme48
13815657532dramatic ironywhen the audience knows something that the characters in the drama do not49
13815657533dramatic monologuewhen a single speaker in literature says something to a silent audience50
13815657534elegya poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing/death of something/someone of value51
13815657535elementsthe basic techniques of each genre of literature. IN SHORT STORY: characters, irony, theme, symbol, plot, setting. IN POETRY: figurative language, symbol, imagery, rhythm, rhyme. IN DRAMA: conflict, characters, climax, conclusion, exposition, rising action, falling action, props. IN NONFICTION: argument, evidence, reason, appeals, fallacies, thesis.52
13815657536ellipsisthree periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation53
13815657537empathya feeling of association or identification with an object/person54
13815657538end stoppeda term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation55
13815657539enjambmentthe continuation of a syntactic unit from one line or couplet of a poem to the next with no pause56
13815657540epican extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure57
13815657541mock epica parody form that deals with mundane events and ironically treats them as worthy of epic poetry58
13815657542epitaphlines that commemorate the dead at their burial place. usually a line or handful of lines, often serious or religious, but sometimes witty and even irreverent59
13815657543epigrama concise but ingenious, witty and thoughtful statement60
13815657544euphonywhen sounds blend harmoniously; pleasing, harmonious sounds61
13815657545epithetan adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing62
13815657546eponymousa term for the title character of a work of literature63
13815657547euphemisma mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term64
13815657548explicitto say or write something directly and clearly65
13815657549explicationthe interpretation/analysis of a text66
13815657550extended metaphora series of comparisons between two unlike objects that occur over a number of lines67
13815657551fablea short tale often featuring nonhuman character that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior. i.e Orwell's "Animal Farm"68
13815657552falling actionthe action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict69
13815657553fantasya story containing unreal, imaginary features70
13815657554farcea comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose71
13815657555figurative languagein contrast to literal language, this implies meanings. It includes devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification, etc.72
13815657556foila secondary character whose purpose is to highlight the characteristics of a main character, usually by contrast73
13815657557first person narrativea narrative told by a character involved in the story, using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we"74
13815657558flashbacka return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances75
13815657559foreshadowingan event or statement in a narrative that suggests, in miniature, a larger event that comes later76
13815657560footthe basic rhythmic unit of a line in poetry. it is formed by a combination of two or three syllables, either stressed or unstressed77
13815657561framea structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative78
13815657562free versea kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm or fixed metrical feet79
13815657563genrea term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay80
13815657564Gothic novela novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terror pervades the action. i.e. "Frankenstein"81
13815657565haranguea forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade82
13815657566hubristhe excessive pride/ambition that leads to the main character's downfall83
13815657567hyperboleexaggeration/deliberate overstatement84
13815657568humanisma belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity85
13815657569implicitto say or write something that suggests and implies but never says it directly or clearly86
13815657570in medias resLatin for "in the midst of things"; a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point87
13815657571idylla lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place88
13815657572imagea word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled or felt89
13815657573inversionswitching customary order of elements in a sentence or phrase. when done badly it can give a stilted, artificial look-at-me-I'm-poetry feel to the verse. type of syntax90
13815657574ironya mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm91
13815657575invectivea direct verbal assault; a denunciation. i.e. Candide92
13815657576kenninga device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions/qualities, as in "ring-giver" for king and "whale-road" for ocean93
13815657577lamenta poem of sadness or grief over the death of a loved one or over some other intense loss94
13815657578lampoona satire95
13815657579light versea variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, but sometimes with a satirical thrust96
13815657580loose sentencea sentence that is complete before its end. follows customary word order of English sentences i.e. subject-verb-object97
13815657581periodic sentencea sentence not grammatically complete until it has reached its final phrase; sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main thought only at the end98
13815657582lyricpersonal, reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject; the word is used to describe tone, it refers to a sweet, emotional melodiousness99
13815657583melodramaa form of overly-dramatic theater in which the hero is very, very good, the villain mean and rotten, and the heroine oh-so-pure.100
13815657584litotesa form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity101
13815657585maxima saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth102
13815657586metaphora figure of speech that compares unlike objects103
13815657587metaphysical poetrythe work of poets, particularly those of 17th c., that uses elaborate conceits, is highly intellectual, and expresses the complexities of love and life104
13815657588meterthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry105
13815657589metonymya figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. e.g. "The White House says..."106
13815657590modethe general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a work of literature107
13815657591montagea quick succession of images/impressions used to express an idea108
13815657592moodthe emotional tone in a work of literature109
13815657593nemesisthe protagonist's archenemy or supreme and persistent difficulty110
13815657594objectivitythis treatment of a subject matter is an impersonal/outside view of events111
13815657595subjectivitythis treatment of a subject matter uses the interior/personal view of a single observer and is typically colored with that observer's emotional responses112
13815657596onomatopoeiawords that sound like what they mean113
13815657597morala brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature114
13815657598motifa phrase, idea, event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature.115
13815657599museone of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer116
13815657600mythan imaginary story that has become accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group/society. often used to explain natural phenomena.117
13815657601narrativea form of verse or prose that tells a story118
13815657602naturalisma term often used as a synonym for "realism"; also a view of experiences that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic119
13815657603non sequitura statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before120
13815657604novel of mannersa novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group121
13815657605odea lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject.122
13815657606omniscient narratora narrator with unlimited awareness, understanding, and insight of characters, setting, background, and all other elements of the story123
13815657607oxymorona phrase composed of opposites; a contradiction. juxtaposition of contradictory element to create a paradoxical effect124
13815657608oppositionone of the most useful concepts in analyzing literature. it means that you have a pair of elements that contrast sharply.125
13815657609ottava rimaan eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem126
13815657610parablelike a fable or an allegory, it's a story that instructs; a story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived127
13815657611paradoxa statement that seems self-contradictory yet true128
13815657612parallelismrepeated syntactical similarities used for effect129
13815657613parodyan imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject130
13815657614paraphrasea version of a text put into simpler, everyday, words131
13815657615pastorala work of literature dealing with rural life132
13815657616pathetic fallacyfaulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects133
13815657617pathosthat element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow134
13815657618pentametera verse with five poetic feet per line135
13815657619personathe role/facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader, viewer, or the world at large; the narrator in a non-first-person novel136
13815657620personificationgiving an inanimate object human like qualities or form137
13815657621plotthe interrelationship among the events in a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution138
13815657622picaresque novelan episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. e.g. "Don Quixote", "Moll Flanders"139
13815657623plainta poem or speech expressing sorrow140
13815657624point of viewthe perspective from which the action of a novel in presented.141
13815657625omniscient narrator3rd person narrator who sees like God into each character's mind and understands all the action going on.142
13815657626limited omniscient narrator3rd person narrator who generally reports only what one character (usually the main) sees, and who only reports the thoughts of that one privileged character.143
13815657627objective narrator3rd person narr. who only reports on what would be visible to a camera, doesn't know what the character is thinking unless the character speaks of it.144
13815657628first person narratorthis is a narrator who is a character in the story and tells the tale from his/her POV. when the narrator is crazy, a liar, very young, or for some reason not entirely credible, the narrator is "unreliable"145
13815657629prosodythe grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry146
13815657630protagonistthe main character in a work of literature147
13815657631preludean introductory poem to a longer work of verse148
13815657632punthe usually humorous use of a word in such a way to suggest two or more meanings149
13815657633pseudonymalso called "pen name", a false name or alias used by writers. i.e Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) George Orwell (Eric Blair)150
13815657634quatriana four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem151
13815657635refraina line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem152
13815657636requiema song of prayer for the dead153
13815657637realismthe depiction of people, things, and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect154
13815657638rhetoricthe language of a work and its style; words, often highly emotional, used to convince or sway an audience155
13815657639rhetorical questiona question that suggests an answer. in theory, the effect is that it causes the listener to feel they have come up with the answer themselves156
13815657640rhapsodyan intensely passionate verse or section of verse, usually of love or praise157
13815657641rhymethe repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals, used mostly in poetry158
13815657642rhyme schemethe patterns of rhymes within a given poem i.e. abba159
13815657643rhythmthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry. similar to meter160
13815657644romancean extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places161
13815657645sarcasma sharp, caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt162
13815657646satirea literary style used to poke fun at, attack or ridicule an idea, vice, or foible, often for the purpose of inducing change. great subjects for this include hypocrisy, vanity and greed, especially if those characteristics have become institutionalized in society163
13815657647similefigurative comparison using the words "like" or "as"164
13815657648settingthe total environment for the action in a novel/play. it includes time, place, historical milieu, and social, political and even spiritual circumstances165
13815657649sentimentala term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish166
13815657650sentimenta synonym for "view" or "feeling"; also refined and tender emotion in literature167
13815657651scansionthe act of determining the meter of a poetic line.168
13815657652sonneta popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme. two types: Shakespearean and Petrarchan169
13815657653soliloquya speech spoken by a character alone on stage. meant to convey the impression that the audience is listening to the character's THOUGHTS. unlike an aside, it is not meant to imply that the actor acknowledges the audience's presence170
13815657654stanzaa group of lines in verse, roughly analogous in function to the paragraph in prose; a group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter, rhyme, or some other plan171
13815657655stream of consciousnessa style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind, e.g. Ernest Hemingway172
13815657656stock charactersstandard or cliched character types: the drunk, the miser, the foolish girl, etc.173
13815657657suggestto imply, infer indicate. goes along with the concept of implicit174
13815657658stylethe manner in which an author uses and arranges words, shapes ideas, forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas175
13815657659subplota subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play, usually connected to the main plot176
13815657660subtextthe implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature177
13815657661summarya simple retelling of what you've just read. what you DON'T want to do in the Open Essay section :)178
13815657662symbolisma device in literature where an object represents an idea179
13815657663synecdochea figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part180
13815657664themethe main idea or meaning, often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built181
13815657665thesisthe main position of an argument. the central contention that will be supported182
13815657666tonethe author's attitude toward the subject being written about. it's the characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work183
13815657667tragic flawin a tragedy, this is the weakness of a character in an otherwise good individual that ultimately leads to his demise184
13815657668tragedya form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish, or even death185
13815657669travestya grotesque parody186
13815657670truisma way-too-obvious truth187
13815657671utopiaan idealized place. imaginary communities in which people are able to live in happiness, prosperity and peace. Sir Thomas More came up with this idea.188
13815657672verbal ironya discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words189
13815657673versea synonym for poetry. also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry190
13815657674verisimilitudesimilar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is191
13815657675versificationthe structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. i.e. monometer = 1 foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet, etc.192
13815657676villanellea French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of 19 lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes193
13815657677voicethe real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker. a verb is in the active voice when it expresses an action performed by its subject. a verb is in the passive voice when it expresses an action performed upon its subject or when the subject is the result of the action. Active: The crew raked the leaves. Passive: The leaves were raked by the crew.194
13815657678witthe quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that surprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene195
13815657679zeugmathe use of a word to modify two or more words, but used for different meanings. "He close the door and his heart on his lost love."196
13815657680anastropheinversion of the natural or usual word order197
13815657681anaphorarepetition of the same words or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses. e.g. "I have a dream..."198
13815657682epistropherepetition of the same word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses "When we first came we were very many and you were very few. Now you are many and we are getting very few."199
13815657683epanalepsisrepetition at the end of a clause of the word that occurred at the beginning of the clause. "Blood hat bought blood, and blows have answer'd blows"200
13815657684anadiplosisrepetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause. "The crime was common, common be the pain."201
13815657685antimetabolerepetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order. "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."202
13815657686chiasmusreversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses. "Exalts his enemies, his friends destroys."203
13815657687polyptotonrepetition of words derived from the same root. "But in this desert country they may see the land being rendered USELESS by OVERUSE."204
13815657688antanaclasisrepetition of a word in two different senses. "Your argument is sound, nothing but sound."205
13815657689paronomasiause of words alike in sound but different in meaning. "ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a GRAVE man."206
13815657690syllepsisthe use of a word understood differently in relation to two or more other words, which it modifies/governs. "The ink, like our pig, keeps running out of the pen."207
13815657691anthimeriathe substitution of one part of speech for another "I'll UNHAIR they head."208
13815657692periphrasissubstitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name or of a proper name for a quality associated with the name. "They do not escape JIM CROW; they merely encounter another, not less deadly variety."209
13815657693autobiographyan account of a person's own life210
13815657694dialecta way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region/group of people211
13815657695epiphanyin a literary work, a moment of sudden insight/revelation that a character experiences212
13815657696essaya short piece of non-fiction prose that examines a single subject from a limited POV213
13815657697suspensethe uncertainty/anxiety we feel about what is going to happen next in a story214

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!