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AP Literature Fiction Vocabulary Flashcards

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7744664823AllegoryA story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one0
7744664824AmbiguityA word, phrase, or statement which contains more than one meaning1
7744664843ApostropheA term used when a speaker directly addresses someone or something that isn't present in the poem2
7744669622Colloquial LanguageWords or expressions used in ordinary language by common people3
7744674472SlangWords that are not a part of standard vocabulary or language and are used informally4
7744679591EpistolaryA novel written as a series of documents. The usual form is letters, although diary entries, newspaper clippings, and other documents5
7744679592ThemeThe main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly6
7744679593MotifAny recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story7
7744682016DenouementThe resolution of the issue of a complicated plot in fiction8
7744682017Poetic JusticeA literary device in which ultimately virtue is rewarded and viciousness is punished9
7744682018Flat CharacterTwo-dimensional in that they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout the course of a work10
7744684467Round CharacterComplex and undergo development, sometimes sufficiently to surprise the reader11
7744684468Character FoilA character who contrasts with another character —usually the protagonist— to highlight particular qualities of the other character12
7744684521IllocutionAn act of speaking or writing which in itself effects or constitutes the intended action, e.g. ordering, warning, or promising13
7744687724EuphemismA mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.14
7744691334ParodyAn imitation of a particular writer, artist or a genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect15
7744691335SatireThe use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues16
7744691336PunA play on words in which a humorous effect is produced by using a word that suggests two or more meanings or by exploiting similar sounding words having different meanings17
7744694294OxymoronA combination of contradictory or incongruous words or something, such as a concept, made up of contradictory or incongruous elements18
7744694295ParadoxA statement or problem that either appears to produce two entirely contradictory (yet possible) outcomes, or provides proof for something that goes against what is intuitively expected19
7744694296Rite of PassageA ceremony or event marking an important stage in a person's life20
7744697278EpiloguePart of the main story that occurs after the climax and reveals the fates of the characters / A chapter at the end of the work that concludes the work21
7744697279Anti-ClimaticCausing disappointment at the end of an exciting or impressive series of events / A conclusion that is unsatisfying because it does not meet the expectations that the narrative has been building toward.22
7744697280ConnotationAn idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning23
7744700280DenotationThe strict dictionary meaning of a word24
7753278812First Person Narratoruses the pronoun "I" to tell the story, and can be either a major or minor character25
7753278813Third Person Objective NarratorUses the pronoun "he" or "she" and describes or interprets thoughts, feelings, motivations, of the characters. Details such as setting, scenes, and what was said is stronger with an objective observer26
7753281706Third Person Omniscient NarratorUses the pronoun "he" or "she" and has access to all the actions and thoughts within fiction27
7753281707Third Person Limited NarratorUses the pronoun "he" or "she" and has a restricted view of events, mean they don't "know" the whole story28

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