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AP Lit Flashcards

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10075103894allegorystory or poem that can be used to reveal a hidden meaning The representation of abstract ideas or principals by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form.0
10075103895alliterationbeginning of same letter or sound in closely connected words The repitition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words in a line of poetry1
10075103896allusionindirect of passing reference Reference to someone or something that is known from history literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or another branch of culture. An indirect reference to something (usually in literature)2
10075103897anaphorarepetition in first part of a sentence , to have an artistic meaning Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines in a poem.3
10075103898antagonista hostile person who is opposed to another character The protagonist's adversary4
10075103899apostrophethe figure of speech used to address an imaginary character When a character speaks to a character or object that is not present or is unable to respond5
10075103900approximate rhymewords in rhyming pattern that sound alike6
10075103901asidewhen a character's dialogue is spoken but not heard by other actors on the stage7
10075103902assonancerepetition of vowel sounds8
10075103903blank versepoetry written in meter without an ending rhyme Name for unrhymed iambic pentameter. An iamb is a metrical foot in which an unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed syllable. In iambic pentameter there are five iambs per line making ten syllables.9
10075103904cacophonyblend of unharmonious sounds10
10075103905caesurapause in the middle of a line11
10075103906catharsisthe release of emotions through art (emotional cleanse)12
10075103907flat characterstory character who have no depth, usually has one personality or characteristic13
10075103908round charactercharacter who has complex personality: contradicted person14
10075103909dynamic characterchanges throughout the story, through major conflict15
10075103910static characterperson who doesn't change throughout story keeps same personality16
10075103911characterizationprocess of revealing characters personality17
10075103912climaxpoint where conflict hits its highest point18
10075103913comedydrama that is amusing or funny19
10075103914conflictstruggle between opposing forces20
10075103915connotationsecondary meaning to a word21
10075103916consonancerepetition of same consonant in words close together22
10075103917couplettwo rhyming lines in a verse23
10075103918denotationthe literal meaning of a word24
10075103919denouementfinal outcome of the story25
10075103920deus ex machinaresolution of a plot by chance or coincidence26
10075103921didactic writingwriting with a primary purpose to teach or preach27
10075103922direct presentation of characterauthor telling the reader how a character is and what actions it will do further in the story28
10075103923double rhymerhyme where the repeated vowel is in the second last syllable of words involved (ex; born scorn)29
10075103924dramatic expositionprose commentaries, to provide background information about the characters and their world30
10075103925end rhymerhymes occurring at the end of line31
10075103926end stopped lineline ending in regular punctuation32
10075103927English sonneta sonnet rhyming ababcdcdededgg33
10075103928epiphanywhen a character receives a spiritual insight into they life34
10075103929euphonysmooth choice and arrangement of sounds35
10075103930extended figureA figure of speech sustained or developed through a considerable number of lines or through a whole poem.36
10075103931falling actionEvents after the climax, leading to the resolution37
10075103932feminine rhymelines rhymed by their final two syllables Term that refers to an unstressed extra syllable at the end of a line of iambic pentameter38
10075103933figurative languageLanguage that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.39
10075103934figure of speecha way of saying something other than the ordinary way40
10075103935footbasic unit in the scansion or measurement of verse , stressed and un stressed syllables41
10075103936formexternal pattern or shape of a poem42
10075103937free versePoetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme43
10075103938hamartiatragic flaw which causes a character's downfall44
10075103939imageryDescription that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)45
10075103940indirect presentation of characterthe personality of a character is revealed by what he or she does or says46
10075103941internal rhymeA word inside a line rhymes with another word on the same line47
10075103942ironyA contrast between expectation and reality48
10075103943verbal ironyA figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant49
10075103944dramatic ironyIrony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.50
10075103945irony of situationrefers to an occurrence that is contrary to what is expected or intended51
10075103946italian sonnetA sonnet consisting of an octave with the rhyme pattern abbaabba, followed by a sestet with the rhyme pattern cdecde or cdcdcd52
10075103947masculine rhymeA rhyme ending on the final stressed syllable Stressed extra syllable at the end of a line53
10075103948melodramaa play based upon a dramatic plot and developed sensationally54
10075103949metaphorA comparison without using like or as55
10075103950meterA regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry The measured arrangement of words in poetry, as by accentual rhythm, syllabic quantity, or the number of syllables in a line.56
10075103951metonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it57
10075103952motivationA need or desire that energizes and directs behavior58
10075103953narratorPerson telling the story First Person - The narrator is a character in the story Third Person Objective: The narrator does not tell what anyone is thinking; the "fly on a wall" Third Person Limited: The narrator is able to tell the thoughts of one of the characters Third Person Omniscient: The narrator is able to tell the thoughs of any character59
10075103954octave8 line stanza60
10075103955onomatopoeiaA word that imitates the sound it represents.61
10075103956hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor62
10075103957oxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.63
10075103958paradoxA contradiction or dilemma64
10075103959paraphraseA restatement of a text or passage in your own words.65
10075103960personificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes66
10075103961plotSequence of events in a story67
10075103962point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told68
10075103963omniscient point of viewThe point of view where the narrator knows everything about the characters and their problems - told in the 3rd person.69
10075103964third person limited point of viewnarrator tells the story from only one character's pov70
10075103965first person point of viewa character in the story is actually telling the story himself/herself71
10075103966objective point of viewa narrator who is totally impersonal and objective tells the story, with no comment on any characters or events.72
10075103967protagonistMain character73
10075103968quatrainA four line stanza74
10075103969rhythmA regularly recurring sequence of events or actions.75
10075103970rhyme schemeA regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem76
10075103971rising actionEvents leading up to the climax77
10075103972sarcasmthe use of irony to mock or convey contempt78
10075103973satireA literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.79
10075103974scansionAnalysis of verse into metrical patterns80
10075103975sestet6 line stanza81
10075103976settingThe context in time and place in which the action of a story occurs.82
10075103977simileA comparison using "like" or "as"83
10075103978soliloquyA long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage84
10075103979sonnet14 line poem85
10075103980stanzaA group of lines in a poem86
10075103981stream of consciousnessprivate thoughts of a character without commentary87
10075103982syllabic verseVerse measured by the number of syllables rather than the number of feet per line.88
10075103983symbolA thing that represents or stands for something else89
10075103984synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa90
10075103985synesthesiadescribing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")91
10075103986tercet3 line stanza92
10075103987terza rimaa verse form with a rhyme scheme: aba bcb cdc, etc.93
10075103988themeCentral idea of a work of literature94
10075103989toneAttitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character95
10075103990tragedyA serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character96
10075103991truncationUtilizing a melody with part of the end omitted.97
10075103992understandmentthe deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it actually is; a deliberate under-emphasis98
10075103993verseA single line of poetry writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme99
10075103994vilanellea nineteen-line poem with two rhymes throughout, consisting of five tercets and a quatrain, with the first and third lines of the opening tercet recurring alternately at the end of the other tercets and with both repeated at the close of the concluding quatrain.100
10075103995AmbiguityWhen an author leaves out details or information or is unclear about an event so the reader will use his/her imagination to fill in the blanks.101
10075103996AnecdoteA short story or joke told at the beginning of a speech to gain the audience's attention.102
10075103997Anti-climaticWhen the ending of the plot in poetry or prose is unfulfilling or lackluster103
10075103998AntithesisBalancing words, phrases, or ideas that are strongly contrasted, often by means of grammatical structure104
10075103999AntiheroCentral character who lacks all the qualities traditionally associated with heroes. May lack courage, grace, intelligence, or moral scruples105
10075104000AnthropomorphismAttributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object106
10075104001ClimaxThe turning point in the plot or the high point of action107
10075104002Colloquial LanguageInformal, conversational language. Typically phrases that are indicative of a specific region.108
10075104003ConceitAn elaborate metaphor that compares two things that are startlingly different.109
10075104004ConnotationAn idea or meaning suggested by or associated with a word or thing - Bat = evil110
10075104005ConventionAn understanding between a reader and a writer about certain details of a story that does not need to be explained111
10075104006CoupletA pair of rhymed lines that may or may not constitute a separate stanza in a poem.112
10075104007DidacticFrom the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching." Didactic words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing,especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.113
10075104008Dues Ex MachinaTerm that refers to a character or force that appears at the end of a story or play to help resolve conflict. Word means "god from a machine". In ancient Greek drama, gods were lowered onto the stage by a mechanism to extricate characters from a seemingly hopeless situation. The phrase has come to mean any turn of events that solve the characters' problems through an unexpected and unlikely intervention.114
10075104009DictionThe choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing115
10075104010DenouementThe final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot.116
10075104011DoppelgangerThe alter ego of a character- the suppressed side of one's personality that is usually unaccepted by society.117
10075104012ElegyA poem or song composed especially as a lament for a deceased person.118
10075104013Emotive LanguageDeliberate use of language by a writer to instill a feeling or visual.119
10075104014EnjambmentA line having no pause or end punctuation but having uninterrupted grammatical meaning continuing into the next line.120
10075104015EpicA long narrative poem, written in heightened language, which recounts the deeds of a heroic character who embodies the values of a particular society121
10075104016EpilogueA short poem or speech spoken directly to the audience following the conclusion of a play, or in a novel the epilogue is a short explanation at the end of the book which indicates what happens after the plot ends.122
10075104017EpiphanySudden enlightenment or realization, a profound new outlook or understanding about the world usually attained while doing everyday mundane activities.123
10075104018EpistolaryUsed to describe a novel that tells its story through letters written from one character to another.124
10075104019EpithetA word or phrase preceding or following a name which serves to describe the character. Ex: Alexander the Great.125
10075104020EuphemismA mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing The act of substituting a harsh, blunt, or offensive comment for a more politically accepted or positive one126
10075104021EuphonyA succession of words which are pleasing to the ear. These words may be alliterative, utilize consonance, or assonance and are often used in poetry but also seen in prose127
10075104022ExpansionAdds an unstressed syllable and a contraction or elision removes an unstressed syllable in order to maintain the rhythmic meter of a line. This practice explains some words frequently used in poetry such as th' in place of the, o'er in place of over, and 'tis or 'twas in place of it is or it was.128
10075104023FableA usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans129
10075104024FarceA type of comedy in which ridiculous and often stereotyped characters are involved in silly, far-fetched situations130
10075104025FlashbackWhen a character remembers a past event that is relevant to the current action of the story.131
10075104026Flat CharacterA literary character whose personality can be defined by one or two traits and does not change over the course of the story. Flat characters are usually minor or insignificant characters132
10075104027FoilA character that by contrast underscores or enhances the distinctive characteristics of another133
10075104028FolkloreThe traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people, transmitted orally.134
10075104029ForeshadowingClues in the text about incidents that will occur later in the plot, foreshadowing creates anticipation in the novel135
10075104030GenreA category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, marked by a distinctive style, form, or content136
10075104031Gothic NovelA genre of fiction characterized by mystery and supernatural horror, often set in a dark castle or other medieval setting137
10075104032HeroineA woman noted for courage and daring action or the female protagonist138
10075104033Hubrisused in Greek tragedies, refers to excessive pride that usually leads to a hero's downfall139
10075104034HyperboleA figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or comic/dramatic effect.140
10075104035IllocutionLanguage that avoids meaning of the words. When we speak, sometimes we conceal intentions or sidestep the true subject of a conversation. Writing illocution expresses two stories, one of which is not apparent to the characters, but is apparent to the reader. For example, if two characters are discussing a storm on the surface it may seem like a simple discussion of the weather, however, the reader should interpret the underlying meaning that the relationship is in turmoil, chaos, is unpredictable, As demonstrated the story contains an underlying meaning or parallel meanings141
10075104036ImageryThe use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas142
10075104037In medias resA story that begins in the middle of things143
10075104038InversionIn poetry is an intentional digression from ordinary word order which is used to maintain regular meter. For example, rather than saying "the rain came" a poem my say "came the rain". Meter can be formed by the insertion or absence of a pause.144
10075104039IronyWhen one thing should occur, is apparent, or in logical sequence but the opposite actually occurs. Example: A man in the ocean might say, "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink."145
10075104040JuxtapositionPoetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to one another, creating an effect of surprise and wit146
10075104041Litotes(pronounced almost like "little tee") - a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite. Litote is the opposite of hyperbole. Examples: "Not a bad idea," "Not many," "It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain" (Salinger, Catcher in the Rye).147
10075104042Local Colora term applied to fiction or poetry which tends to place special emphasis on a particular setting, including its customs, clothing, dialect and landscape.148
10075104043Memoiran account based on the author's personal experiences149
10075104044MetaphorA comparison between two objects with the intent of giving clearer meaning to one of them. Often forms of the "to be" verb are used, such as "is" or "was", to make the comparison150
10075104045MotifA recurrent image word phrase represented object or action that tends to unify the literary work or that may be elaborated into a more general theme151
10075104046First Person Point of Viewa character in the story is actually telling the story himself/herself152
10075104047Third Person Objective Point of ViewThe narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can't tell us the thoughts of the characters.153
10075104048Third Person Omniscient Point of ViewPoint of view in which an all-knowing narrator who is privy to the thoughts and actions of any or all characters.154
10075104049Third Person Limited Point of ViewThis type of point of view presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all remaining characters155
10075104050NovellaA shorter fictional prose narrative that ranges from 50-100 pages in length.156
10075104051Neutral LanguageLanguage opposite from emotive language as it is literal or even objective in nature.157
10075104052Oblique RyhmeImperfect rhyme scheme158
10075104053Odea lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject, often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or irregular meter159
10075104054OnomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur. If you note examples of onomatopoeia in an essay passage, note the effect.160
10075104055ParableA simple story that illustrates a moral or religious lesson161
10075104056ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. It exploits peculiarities of an author's expression (propensity to use too many parentheses, certain favorite words, etc.) Well-written parody offers enlightenment about the original, but poorly written parody offers only ineffectual imitation. nuances of the newer work. Occasionally, however, parodies take on a life of their own and don't require knowledge of the original.162
10075104057Poetic JusticeIs a term that describes a character "getting what he deserves: in the end, especially if wat he deserves is punishment. The prest form of poetic justice results when one character pots against another but ends up being caught in his or her own trap.163
10075104058Prologuea separate introductory section of a literary or musical work164
10075104059PunA play on words. In an argument, a pun usually calls humorous attention to particular point. He kept waving at the princess. He was a devoted fan.165
10075104060RefrainA line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem.166
10075104061RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.167
10075104062Rites of PassageAn incident which creates tremendous growth signifying a transition from adolescence to adulthood.168
10075104063Round CharacterA character who demonstrates some complexity and who develops or changes in the course of a work169
10075104064ResolutionEnd of the story where loose ends are tied up170
10075104065StyleThe consideration of style has two purposes: (1) An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other We can analyze and describe an author's personal style and make judgments on how appropriate it is to the author's purpose. Styles can be called flowery, explicit, succinct, rambling, bombastic, commonplace, incisive, laconic, etc. (2) Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors. By means of such classification and comparison, we can see how an author's style reflects and helps to define a historical period, such as the Renaissance or the Victorian period, or a literary movement, such as the romantic, transcendental, or realist movement.171
10075104066UnderstatementA statement that says less than what is meant172

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