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AP English Literature and Composition Flashcards

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6165823850adageA 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
6165823851allegoryA story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical or possibly ethical meaning.1
6165823852alliterationThe 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
6165823853allusionA reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.3
6165823854ambiguityA vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation.4
6165823855anachronismA person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time/era in which the work is set.5
6165823856analogyA 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
6165823857antagonistA character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict.7
6165823858antithesisA rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.8
6165823859aphorismA statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner. The term is often applied to philosophical, moral and literary principles.9
6165823860ApollonianIn contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behaviour.10
6165823861apostropheA figure of speech where the writer or speaker detaches himself from his present reality and addresses an imaginary character in his speech.11
6165823862archetypeA character, action or situation which represents or reflects a commonly held or universal pattern, such as human nature.12
6165823863assonanceThe repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose.13
6165823864balladA 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
6165823865bardA poet or a performer in olden times who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment.15
6165823866BildungsromanA 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
6165823867blank 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
6165823868bombastInflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects.18
6165823869cacophonyThe 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
6165823870caesuraIt 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
6165823871canonThe works most widely read, studied, and considered most important in national literature or in a specific literary period.21
6165823872caricatureA grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things; a portrait that exaggerates a facet of personality.22
6165823873catharsisA cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy.23
6165823874classicismDeriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity and restraint.24
6165823875conceitA 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
6165823876anticlimaxThis occurs when an action produces far smaller results than one had been led to expect; it is frequently comic in effect.26
6165823877anti-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
6165823878asideA speech (usually just a short comment) made by an actor to the audience, as though momentarily stepping outside of the action on stage.28
6165823879atmosphereThe emotional tone or background that surrounds a scene.29
6165823880black 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
6165823881cadencethe beat or rhythm of poetry in a general sense31
6165823882cantois a divider in long poems, much like chapters in a novel32
6165823883coinagea.k.a. neologism, inventing a word33
6165823884colloquialismthis is a word or phrase used in everyday conversational English that isn't a part of accepted "schoolbook" English34
6165823885controlling imagewhen an image dominates and shapes the entire work35
6165823886metaphysical conceita type of conceit that occurs only in metaphysical poetry36
6165823887connotationthe suggest or implied meaning of a word/phrase37
6165823888consonancethe repetition of two or more consonant sounds within a group of words or a line of poetry38
6165823889coupleta pair of lines that end in rhyme39
6165823890heroic couplettwo rhyming lines in iambic pentameter are called this40
6165823891denotationthe literal, dictionary definition of a word41
6165823892denouementthe resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work or fiction42
6165823893Dionysianas distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure seeking impulses43
6165823894dictionthe choice of words in oral and written discourse44
6165823895syntaxthe ordering and structuring of the words in a sentence45
6165823896dirgea song for the dead, its tone is typically slow, heavy, and melancholy46
6165823897dissonancethe grating of incompatible sounds47
6165823898doggerelcrude, simplistic verse, often in sing-song rhyme48
6165823899dramatic ironywhen the audience knows something that the characters in the drama do not49
6165823900dramatic monologuewhen a single speaker in literature says something to a silent audience50
6165823901elegya poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing/death of something/someone of value51
6165823902elementsthe 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
6165823903ellipsisthree periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation53
6165823904empathya feeling of association or identification with an object/person54
6165823905end stoppeda term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation55
6165823906enjambmentthe continuation of a syntactic unit from one line or couplet of a poem to the next with no pause56
6165823907epican 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
6165823908mock epica parody form that deals with mundane events and ironically treats them as worthy of epic poetry58
6165823909epitaphlines 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
6165823910epigrama concise but ingenious, witty and thoughtful statement60
6165823911euphonywhen sounds blend harmoniously; pleasing, harmonious sounds61
6165823912epithetan adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing62
6165823913eponymousa term for the title character of a work of literature63
6165823914euphemisma mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term64
6165823915explicitto say or write something directly and clearly65
6165823916explicationthe interpretation/analysis of a text66
6165823917extended metaphora series of comparisons between two unlike objects that occur over a number of lines67
6165823918fablea 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
6165823919falling 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
6165823920fantasya story containing unreal, imaginary features70
6165823921farcea comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose71
6165823922figurative languagein contrast to literal language, this implies meanings. It includes devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification, etc.72
6165823923foila secondary character whose purpose is to highlight the characteristics of a main character, usually by contrast73
6165823924first person narrativea narrative told by a character involved in the story, using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we"74
6165823925flashbacka return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances75
6165823926foreshadowingan event or statement in a narrative that suggests, in miniature, a larger event that comes later76
6165823927footthe basic rhythmic unit of a line in poetry. it is formed by a combination of two or three syllables, either stressed or unstressed77
6165823928framea structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative78
6165823929free versea kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm or fixed metrical feet79
6165823930genrea term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay80
6165823931Gothic novela novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terror pervades the action. i.e. "Frankenstein"81
6165823932haranguea forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade82
6165823933hubristhe excessive pride/ambition that leads to the main character's downfall83
6165823934hyperboleexaggeration/deliberate overstatement84
6165823935humanisma belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity85
6165823936implicitto say or write something that suggests and implies but never says it directly or clearly86
6165823937in medias resLatin for "in the midst of things"; a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point87
6165823938idylla lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place88
6165823939imagea word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled or felt89
6165823940inversionswitching 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
6165823941ironya mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm91
6165823942invectivea direct verbal assault; a denunciation. i.e. Candide92
6165823943kenninga 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
6165823944lamenta poem of sadness or grief over the death of a loved one or over some other intense loss94
6165823945lampoona satire95
6165823946light versea variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, but sometimes with a satirical thrust96
6165823947loose sentencea sentence that is complete before its end. follows customary word order of English sentences i.e. subject-verb-object97
6165823948periodic 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
6165823949lyricpersonal, 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
6165823950melodramaa 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
6165823951litotesa form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity101
6165823952maxima saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth102
6165823953metaphora figure of speech that compares unlike objects103
6165823954metaphysical poetrythe work of poets, particularly those of 17th c., that uses elaborate conceits, is highly intellectual, and expresses the complexities of love and life104
6165823955meterthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry105
6165823956metonymya 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
6165823957modethe general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a work of literature107
6165823958montagea quick succession of images/impressions used to express an idea108
6165823959moodthe emotional tone in a work of literature109
6165823960nemesisthe protagonist's archenemy or supreme and persistent difficulty110
6165823961objectivitythis treatment of a subject matter is an impersonal/outside view of events111
6165823962subjectivitythis treatment of a subject matter uses the interior/personal view of a single observer and is typically colored with that observer's emotional responses112
6165823963onomatopoeiawords that sound like what they mean113
6165823964morala brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature114
6165823965motifa phrase, idea, event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature.115
6165823966museone of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer116
6165823967mythan imaginary story that has become accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group/society. often used to explain natural phenomena.117
6165823968narrativea form of verse or prose that tells a story118
6165823969naturalisma term often used as a synonym for "realism"; also a view of experiences that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic119
6165823970non sequitura statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before120
6165823971novel of mannersa novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group121
6165823972odea lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject.122
6165823973omniscient narratora narrator with unlimited awareness, understanding, and insight of characters, setting, background, and all other elements of the story123
6165823974oxymorona phrase composed of opposites; a contradiction. juxtaposition of contradictory element to create a paradoxical effect124
6165823975oppositionone of the most useful concepts in analyzing literature. it means that you have a pair of elements that contrast sharply.125
6165823976ottava rimaan eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem126
6165823977parablelike 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
6165823978paradoxa statement that seems self-contradictory yet true128
6165823979parallelismrepeated syntactical similarities used for effect129
6165823980parodyan imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject130
6165823981paraphrasea version of a text put into simpler, everyday, words131
6165823982pastorala work of literature dealing with rural life132
6165823983pathetic fallacyfaulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects133
6165823984pathosthat element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow134
6165823985pentametera verse with five poetic feet per line135
6165823986personathe 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
6165823987personificationgiving an inanimate object human like qualities or form137
6165823988plotthe interrelationship among the events in a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution138
6165823989picaresque novelan episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. e.g. "Don Quixote", "Moll Flanders"139
6165823990plainta poem or speech expressing sorrow140
6165823991point of viewthe perspective from which the action of a novel in presented.141
6165823992omniscient narrator3rd person narrator who sees like God into each character's mind and understands all the action going on.142
6165823993limited 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
6165823994objective 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
6165823995first 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
6165823996prosodythe grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry146
6165823997protagonistthe main character in a work of literature147
6165823998preludean introductory poem to a longer work of verse148
6165823999punthe usually humorous use of a word in such a way to suggest two or more meanings149
6165824000pseudonymalso 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
6165824001quatriana four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem151
6165824002refraina line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem152
6165824003requiema song of prayer for the dead153
6165824004realismthe depiction of people, things, and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect154
6165824005rhetoricthe language of a work and its style; words, often highly emotional, used to convince or sway an audience155
6165824006rhetorical 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
6165824007rhapsodyan intensely passionate verse or section of verse, usually of love or praise157
6165824008rhymethe repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals, used mostly in poetry158
6165824009rhyme schemethe patterns of rhymes within a given poem i.e. abba159
6165824010rhythmthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry. similar to meter160
6165824011romancean extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places161
6165824012sarcasma sharp, caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt162
6165824013satirea 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
6165824014similefigurative comparison using the words "like" or "as"164
6165824015settingthe total environment for the action in a novel/play. it includes time, place, historical milieu, and social, political and even spiritual circumstances165
6165824016sentimentala term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish166
6165824017sentimenta synonym for "view" or "feeling"; also refined and tender emotion in literature167
6165824018scansionthe act of determining the meter of a poetic line.168
6165824019sonneta popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme. two types: Shakespearean and Petrarchan169
6165824020soliloquya 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
6165824021stanzaa 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
6165824022stream 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
6165824023stock charactersstandard or cliched character types: the drunk, the miser, the foolish girl, etc.173
6165824024suggestto imply, infer indicate. goes along with the concept of implicit174
6165824025stylethe manner in which an author uses and arranges words, shapes ideas, forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas175
6165824026subplota subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play, usually connected to the main plot176
6165824027subtextthe implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature177
6165824028summarya simple retelling of what you've just read. what you DON'T want to do in the Open Essay section :)178
6165824029symbolisma device in literature where an object represents an idea179
6165824030synecdochea figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part180
6165824031themethe main idea or meaning, often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built181
6165824032thesisthe main position of an argument. the central contention that will be supported182
6165824033tonethe author's attitude toward the subject being written about. it's the characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work183
6165824034tragic flawin a tragedy, this is the weakness of a character in an otherwise good individual that ultimately leads to his demise184
6165824035tragedya 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
6165824036travestya grotesque parody186
6165824037truisma way-too-obvious truth187
6165824038utopiaan 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
6165824039verbal ironya discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words189
6165824040versea synonym for poetry. also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry190
6165824041verisimilitudesimilar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is191
6165824042versificationthe 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
6165824043villanellea French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of 19 lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes193
6165824044voicethe 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
6165824045witthe 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
6165824046zeugmathe 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
6165824047anastropheinversion of the natural or usual word order197
6165824048anaphorarepetition of the same words or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses. e.g. "I have a dream..."198
6165824049epistropherepetition 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
6165824050epanalepsisrepetition 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
6165824051anadiplosisrepetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause. "The crime was common, common be the pain."201
6165824052antimetabolerepetition 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
6165824053chiasmusreversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses. "Exalts his enemies, his friends destroys."203
6165824054polyptotonrepetition of words derived from the same root. "But in this desert country they may see the land being rendered USELESS by OVERUSE."204
6165824055antanaclasisrepetition of a word in two different senses. "Your argument is sound, nothing but sound."205
6165824056paronomasiause of words alike in sound but different in meaning. "ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a GRAVE man."206
6165824057syllepsisthe 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
6165824058anthimeriathe substitution of one part of speech for another "I'll UNHAIR they head."208
6165824059periphrasissubstitution 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
6165824060autobiographyan account of a person's own life210
6165824061dialecta way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region/group of people211
6165824062epiphanyin a literary work, a moment of sudden insight/revelation that a character experiences212
6165824063essaya short piece of non-fiction prose that examines a single subject from a limited POV213
6165824064suspensethe uncertainty/anxiety we feel about what is going to happen next in a story214

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