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AP English Literature and Composition Flashcards

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2208816361adageA 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
2208816362allegoryA story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical or possibly ethical meaning.1
2208816363alliterationThe 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
2208816364allusionA reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.3
2208816365ambiguityA vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation.4
2208816366anachronismA person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time/era in which the work is set.5
2208816367analogyA 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
2208816369antagonistA character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict.7
2208816370antithesisA rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.8
2208816371aphorismA statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner. The term is often applied to philosophical, moral and literary principles.9
2208816372ApollonianIn contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behaviour.10
2208816373apostropheA figure of speech where the writer or speaker detaches himself from his present reality and addresses an imaginary character in his speech.11
2208816374archetypeA character, action or situation which represents or reflects a commonly held or universal pattern, such as human nature.12
2208816375assonanceThe repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose.13
2208816376balladA 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
2208816377bardA poet or a performer in olden times who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment.15
2208816381BildungsromanA 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
2208816382blank 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
2208816383bombastInflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects.18
2208816385cacophonyThe 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
2208816386caesuraIt 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
2208816387canonThe works most widely read, studied, and considered most important in national literature or in a specific literary period.21
2208816388caricatureA grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things; a portrait that exaggerates a facet of personality.22
2208816390catharsisA cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy.23
2208816392classicismDeriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity and restraint.24
2208816395conceitA 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
2208816396anticlimaxThis occurs when an action produces far smaller results than one had been led to expect; it is frequently comic in effect.26
2208816397anti-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
2208816398asideA speech (usually just a short comment) made by an actor to the audience, as though momentarily stepping outside of the action on stage.28
2208816399atmosphereThe emotional tone or background that surrounds a scene.29
2208816400black 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
2208816401cadencethe beat or rhythm of poetry in a general sense31
2208816402cantois a divider in long poems, much like chapters in a novel32
2208816403coinagea.k.a. neologism, inventing a word33
2208816404colloquialismthis is a word or phrase used in everyday conversational English that isn't a part of accepted "schoolbook" English34
2208816405controlling imagewhen an image dominates and shapes the entire work35
2208816406metaphysical conceita type of conceit that occurs only in metaphysical poetry36
2208816407connotationthe suggest or implied meaning of a word/phrase37
2208816408consonancethe repetition of two or more consonant sounds within a group of words or a line of poetry38
2208816409coupleta pair of lines that end in rhyme39
2208816410heroic couplettwo rhyming lines in iambic pentameter are called this40
2208816411denotationthe literal, dictionary definition of a word41
2208816412denouementthe resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work or fiction42
2208816414Dionysianas distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure seeking impulses43
2208816415dictionthe choice of words in oral and written discourse44
2208816416syntaxthe ordering and structuring of the words in a sentence45
2208816417dirgea song for the dead, its tone is typically slow, heavy, and melancholy46
2208816418dissonancethe grating of incompatible sounds47
2208816419doggerelcrude, simplistic verse, often in sing-song rhyme48
2208816420dramatic ironywhen the audience knows something that the characters in the drama do not49
2208816421dramatic monologuewhen a single speaker in literature says something to a silent audience50
2208816422elegya poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing/death of something/someone of value51
2208816423elementsthe 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
2208816424ellipsisthree periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation53
2208816425empathya feeling of association or identification with an object/person54
2208816426end stoppeda term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation55
2208816427enjambmentthe continuation of a syntactic unit from one line or couplet of a poem to the next with no pause56
2208816428epican 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
2208816429mock epica parody form that deals with mundane events and ironically treats them as worthy of epic poetry58
2208816430epitaphlines 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
2208816431epigrama concise but ingenious, witty and thoughtful statement60
2208816432euphonywhen sounds blend harmoniously; pleasing, harmonious sounds61
2208816433epithetan adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing62
2208816434eponymousa term for the title character of a work of literature63
2208816435euphemisma mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term64
2208816438explicitto say or write something directly and clearly65
2208816439explicationthe interpretation/analysis of a text66
2208816440extended metaphora series of comparisons between two unlike objects that occur over a number of lines67
2208816441fablea 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
2208816442falling 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
2208816443fantasya story containing unreal, imaginary features70
2208816444farcea comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose71
2208816445figurative languagein contrast to literal language, this implies meanings. It includes devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification, etc.72
2208816446foila secondary character whose purpose is to highlight the characteristics of a main character, usually by contrast73
2208816447first person narrativea narrative told by a character involved in the story, using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we"74
2208816448flashbacka return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances75
2208816449foreshadowingan event or statement in a narrative that suggests, in miniature, a larger event that comes later76
2208816450footthe basic rhythmic unit of a line in poetry. it is formed by a combination of two or three syllables, either stressed or unstressed77
2208816451framea structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative78
2208816452free versea kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm or fixed metrical feet79
2208816453genrea term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay80
2208816454Gothic novela novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terror pervades the action. i.e. "Frankenstein"81
2208816455haranguea forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade82
2208816456hubristhe excessive pride/ambition that leads to the main character's downfall83
2208816457hyperboleexaggeration/deliberate overstatement84
2208816458humanisma belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity85
2208816459implicitto say or write something that suggests and implies but never says it directly or clearly86
2208816460in medias resLatin for "in the midst of things"; a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point87
2208816461idylla lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place88
2208816462imagea word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled or felt89
2208816463inversionswitching 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
2208816464ironya mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm91
2208816465invectivea direct verbal assault; a denunciation. i.e. Candide92
2208816466kenninga 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
2208816467lamenta poem of sadness or grief over the death of a loved one or over some other intense loss94
2208816468lampoona satire95
2208816469light versea variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, but sometimes with a satirical thrust96
2208816470loose sentencea sentence that is complete before its end. follows customary word order of English sentences i.e. subject-verb-object97
2208816471periodic 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
2208816472lyricpersonal, 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
2208816473melodramaa 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
2208816474litotesa form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity101
2208816475maxima saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth102
2208816476metaphora figure of speech that compares unlike objects103
2208816477metaphysical poetrythe work of poets, particularly those of 17th c., that uses elaborate conceits, is highly intellectual, and expresses the complexities of love and life104
2208816478meterthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry105
2208816479metonymya 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
2208816480modethe general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a work of literature107
2208816481montagea quick succession of images/impressions used to express an idea108
2208816482moodthe emotional tone in a work of literature109
2208816483nemesisthe protagonist's archenemy or supreme and persistent difficulty110
2208816484objectivitythis treatment of a subject matter is an impersonal/outside view of events111
2208816485subjectivitythis treatment of a subject matter uses the interior/personal view of a single observer and is typically colored with that observer's emotional responses112
2208816486onomatopoeiawords that sound like what they mean113
2208816487morala brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature114
2208816488motifa phrase, idea, event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature.115
2208816489museone of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer116
2208816490mythan imaginary story that has become accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group/society. often used to explain natural phenomena.117
2208816491narrativea form of verse or prose that tells a story118
2208816492naturalisma term often used as a synonym for "realism"; also a view of experiences that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic119
2208816493non sequitura statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before120
2208816494novel of mannersa novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group121
2208816495odea lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject.122
2208816496omniscient narratora narrator with unlimited awareness, understanding, and insight of characters, setting, background, and all other elements of the story123
2208816497oxymorona phrase composed of opposites; a contradiction. juxtaposition of contradictory element to create a paradoxical effect124
2208816498oppositionone of the most useful concepts in analyzing literature. it means that you have a pair of elements that contrast sharply.125
2208816499ottava rimaan eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem126
2208816500parablelike 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
2208816501paradoxa statement that seems self-contradictory yet true128
2208816502parallelismrepeated syntactical similarities used for effect129
2208816503parodyan imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject130
2208816504paraphrasea version of a text put into simpler, everyday, words131
2208816505pastorala work of literature dealing with rural life132
2208816506pathetic fallacyfaulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects133
2208816507pathosthat element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow134
2208816508pentametera verse with five poetic feet per line135
2208816509personathe 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
2208816510personificationgiving an inanimate object human like qualities or form137
2208816511plotthe interrelationship among the events in a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution138
2208816512picaresque novelan episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. e.g. "Don Quixote", "Moll Flanders"139
2208816513plainta poem or speech expressing sorrow140
2208816514point of viewthe perspective from which the action of a novel in presented.141
2208816515omniscient narrator3rd person narrator who sees like God into each character's mind and understands all the action going on.142
2208816516limited 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
2208816517objective 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
2208816518first 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
2208816519prosodythe grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry146
2208816520protagonistthe main character in a work of literature147
2208816521preludean introductory poem to a longer work of verse148
2208816522punthe usually humorous use of a word in such a way to suggest two or more meanings149
2208816523pseudonymalso 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
2208816524quatriana four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem151
2208816525refraina line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem152
2208816526requiema song of prayer for the dead153
2208816527realismthe depiction of people, things, and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect154
2208816528rhetoricthe language of a work and its style; words, often highly emotional, used to convince or sway an audience155
2208816529rhetorical 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
2208816530rhapsodyan intensely passionate verse or section of verse, usually of love or praise157
2208816531rhymethe repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals, used mostly in poetry158
2208816532rhyme schemethe patterns of rhymes within a given poem i.e. abba159
2208816533rhythmthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry. similar to meter160
2208816534romancean extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places161
2208816535sarcasma sharp, caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt162
2208816536satirea 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
2208816537similefigurative comparison using the words "like" or "as"164
2208816538settingthe total environment for the action in a novel/play. it includes time, place, historical milieu, and social, political and even spiritual circumstances165
2208816539sentimentala term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish166
2208816540sentimenta synonym for "view" or "feeling"; also refined and tender emotion in literature167
2208816541scansionthe act of determining the meter of a poetic line.168
2208816542sonneta popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme. two types: Shakespearean and Petrarchan169
2208816543soliloquya 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
2208816544stanzaa 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
2208816545stream 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
2208816546stock charactersstandard or cliched character types: the drunk, the miser, the foolish girl, etc.173
2208816547suggestto imply, infer indicate. goes along with the concept of implicit174
2208816548stylethe manner in which an author uses and arranges words, shapes ideas, forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas175
2208816549subplota subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play, usually connected to the main plot176
2208816550subtextthe implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature177
2208816551summarya simple retelling of what you've just read. what you DON'T want to do in the Open Essay section :)178
2208816552symbolisma device in literature where an object represents an idea179
2208816553synecdochea figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part180
2208816554themethe main idea or meaning, often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built181
2208816555thesisthe main position of an argument. the central contention that will be supported182
2208816556tonethe author's attitude toward the subject being written about. it's the characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work183
2208816557tragic flawin a tragedy, this is the weakness of a character in an otherwise good individual that ultimately leads to his demise184
2208816558tragedya 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
2208816559travestya grotesque parody186
2208816560truisma way-too-obvious truth187
2208816561utopiaan 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
2208816562verbal ironya discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words189
2208816563versea synonym for poetry. also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry190
2208816564verisimilitudesimilar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is191
2208816565versificationthe 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
2208816566villanellea French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of 19 lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes193
2208816567voicethe 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
2208816568witthe 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
2208816569zeugmathe 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
2208816570anastropheinversion of the natural or usual word order197
2208816576anaphorarepetition of the same words or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses. e.g. "I have a dream..."198
2208816577epistropherepetition 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
2208816578epanalepsisrepetition 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
2208816579anadiplosisrepetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause. "The crime was common, common be the pain."201
2208816580antimetabolerepetition 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
2208816581chiasmusreversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses. "Exalts his enemies, his friends destroys."203
2208816582polyptotonrepetition of words derived from the same root. "But in this desert country they may see the land being rendered USELESS by OVERUSE."204
2208816583antanaclasisrepetition of a word in two different senses. "Your argument is sound, nothing but sound."205
2208816584paronomasiause of words alike in sound but different in meaning. "ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a GRAVE man."206
2208816585syllepsisthe 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
2208816586anthimeriathe substitution of one part of speech for another "I'll UNHAIR they head."208
2208816587periphrasissubstitution 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
2208816588autobiographyan account of a person's own life210
2208816589dialecta way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region/group of people211
2208816590epiphanyin a literary work, a moment of sudden insight/revelation that a character experiences212
2208816591essaya short piece of non-fiction prose that examines a single subject from a limited POV213
2208816592suspensethe uncertainty/anxiety we feel about what is going to happen next in a story214

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