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

AP LIT Vocab List Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
13668546159Abstract (style)(in writing) this is typically complex, discusses intangible qualities like good and evil, and seldom uses examples to support its points.0
13668546160Academic (style)Dry and theoretical writing. When a piece of writing seems to be sucking all the life out of its subject with analysis.1
13668546161AccentIn poetry, refers to the stressed portion of a word.2
13668546162AestheticUsed as an adjective meaning "appealing to the senses."3
13668546163Allegorya literary work in which the characters represent abstract ideas; a symbolic representation4
13668546164Alliterationrepetition of initial consonant sounds5
13668546165Allusiona reference to another work of literature, person, or event6
13668546166Anachronismsomething located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred7
13668546167Analogya comparison of two different things that are similar in some way8
13668546168Anecdotea short narrative9
13668546169Antecedentthe word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.10
13668546170Anthropomorphismthe attribution of human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects11
13668546171AnticlimaxA disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events12
13668546172Antiheroa protagonist who lacks the characteristics that would make him a hero (or her a heroine)13
13668546173AphorismA brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.14
13668546174Apostropheaddress to an absent or imaginary person15
13668546175ArchaismThe use of deliberately old-fashioned language.16
13668546176Asidea line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage17
13668546177Assonancethe repetition of vowel sounds18
13668546178AtmosphereThe emotional tone or background that surrounds a scene.19
13668546179BalladAny popular narrative poem, often with epic subject and usually in lyric form.20
13668546180Black humorThe use of disturbing themes in comedy (sometimes called dark humor)21
13668546181Bombastspeech or writing that sounds grand or important but has little meaning22
13668546182Burlesquea theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor23
13668546183Cacophonyharsh, jarring, discordant sound; dissonance24
13668546184Cadencerhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words25
13668546261CaesuraA pause within a line of poetry26
13668546185Cantoa major division of a long poem27
13668546186Caricaturedrawing, imitation, or description that ridiculously exaggerates peculiarities or defects28
13668546187Catharsisan emotional or psychological cleansing that brings relief or renewal29
13668546188ChorusIn Greek drama, the group of citizens who stand outside the main action on stage and comment on it.30
13668546189Colloquialisminformal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing31
13668546190Conceita fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects32
13668546191Connotationthe implied or associative meaning of a word33
13668546192ConsonanceRepetition of consonant sounds34
13668546193Couplettwo consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme35
13668546194Decorumconformity to accepted standards of conduct; proper behavior36
13668546195DenotationThe dictionary definition of a word37
13668546196Dictiona writer's or speaker's choice of words38
13668546197Dirgea song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person39
13668546198Dissonanceharsh or grating sounds that do not go together40
13668546199Doggerelbadly written or trivial verse, often with a singsong rhythm41
13668546200Dramatic Irony(theater) irony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play42
13668546201Dramatic monologueWhen a single speaker in literature says something to a silent audience.43
13668546202Elegya formal poem presenting a meditation on death or another solemn theme44
13668546203Enjambmentthe continuation of a syntactic unit from one line of verse into the next line without a pause45
13668546204Epica long narrative poem written in elevated style which present the adventures of characters of high position and episodes that are important to the history of a race or nation46
13668546205Epitapha brief statement written on a tomb or gravestone47
13668546206Euphemisma mild, indirect, or vague term substituting for a harsh, blunt, or offensive term48
13668546207Euphonyany agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds49
13668546208Farcea comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose50
13668546209Feminine Rhymelatter two syllables of first word rhyme with latter two syllables of second word (ceiling appealing)51
13668546210Foila character whose personality and attitude contrast sharply with those of another52
13668546211Footthe basic unit of rhythmic measurement in a line of poetry53
13668546212Foreshadowingthe use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot54
13668546213Free Verseunrhymed verse without a consistent metrical pattern55
13668546214Gothic Novela novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action56
13668546215HubrisExcessive pride or arrogance that results in the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy57
13668546216Hyperbolea figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor58
13668546217Interior Monologuea narrative technique that records a character's internal flow of thoughts, memories, and ideas; a longish passage of uninterrupted thought59
13668546218Inversionthe reversal of the normal order of words60
13668546219Ironya contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens61
13668546220Lampoonridicule with satire62
13668546221Lyricof or relating to a category of poetry that expresses emotion (often in a songlike way)63
13668546222Masculine Rhymefinal syllable of first word rhymes with final syllable of second word (scald recalled)64
13668546223MelodramaA form of cheesy theater in which the hero is very, very good, the villain mean and rotten, and the heroine oh-so-pure.65
13668546224Metaphora figure of speech comparing to unlike things without using like or as66
13668546225Metonyma word that is used to stand for something else that it has attributes of or is associated with67
13668546226NemesisThe protagonist's arch enemy or supreme and persistent difficulty.68
13668546227Objectivityan impersonal presentation of events and characters69
13668546228OnomatopoeiaThe use of words that imitate sounds70
13668546229Oxymorona figure of speech consisting of two apparently contradictory terms71
13668546230Parablea simple story that illustrates a moral or religious lesson72
13668546231Paradoxa statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.73
13668546232Parallelismthe use of a series of words, phrases, or sentences that have similar grammatical form74
13668546233Parodya work which imitates another in a ridiculous manner75
13668546234Pastorala literary work idealizing the rural life (especially the life of shepherds)76
13668546235Pathosa quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow)77
13668546236Personathe speaker, voice, or character assumed by the author of a piece of writing78
13668546237Personificationthe act of attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas etc.79
13668546238PlaintA poem or speech expressing sorrow80
13668546239Protagonistthe main character in a literary work81
13668546240Puna play on words, often achieved through the use of words with similar sounds but different meanings82
13668546241Refrainthe repetition of one or more phrases or lines at definite intervals in a poem, usually at the end of a stanza83
13668546242Requiema song of prayer for the dead84
13668546243RhapsodyAn intensely passionate verse or section of verse, usually of love or praise.85
13668546244Rhetorical Questiona statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered86
13668546245Satirea literary work that ridicules or criticizes a human vice through humor or derision87
13668546246Similea figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with 'like' or 'as')88
13668546247Soliloquyin drama, a character speaks alone on stage to allow his/her thoughts and ideas to be conveyed to the audience89
13668546248Stanzaa fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem90
13668546249Stock Charactersstandard or cliched character types: the drunk, the miser, the foolish girl, etc.91
13668546250Subjectivitya personal presentation of events and characters, influenced by the author's feelings and opinions92
13668546251Subjunctive MoodA grammatical situation involving the words "if" and "were," setting up a hypothetical situation.93
13668546252Summarya brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form94
13668546253Symbolisma device in literature where an object represents an idea.95
13668546254ThemeThe main idea of the story96
13668546255ThesisThe primary position taken by a writer or speaker97
13668546256Tragic Flawthe character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall98
13668546257Travestya grotesque or grossly inferior imitation99
13668546258Truisman obvious truth100
13668546259Utopiaan imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal101
13668546260ZeugmaWhen a word is used with two adjacent words in the same construction, but only makes literal sense with one of them102

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!