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AP Literature Literary Devices Flashcards

AP Lit final

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13774811356allegorystory or poem that can be used to reveal a hidden meaning0
13774811357alliterationbeginning of same letter or sound in closely connected words1
13774811358allusionindirect of passing reference2
13774811359anaphorarepetition in first part of a sentence , to have an artistic meaning3
13774811360antagonista hostile person who is opposed to another character4
13774811361apostrophefigure of speech used to adresss an imaginary character5
13774811362approximate rhymewords in rhyming pattern that sound alike6
13774811363asidewhen a character's dialogue is spoken but not heard by other actors on the stage7
13774811364assonancerepetition of vowel sounds8
13774811365blank versepoetry written in meter without an ending rhyme9
13774811366cacophonyblend of unharmonious sounds10
13774811367caesurapause in the middle of a line11
13774811368catharsisthe release of emotions through art (emotional cleanse)12
13774811369flat characterstory character who have no depth, usually has one personality or characteristic13
13774811370round charactercharacter who has complex personality: contradicted person14
13774811371dynamic characterchanges throughout the story, through major conflict15
13774811372static characterperson who doesn't change throughout story keeps same personality16
13774811373characterizationprocess of revealing characters personality17
13774811374climaxpoint where conflict hits its highest point18
13774811375comedydrama that is amusing or funny19
13774811376conflictstruggle between opposing forces20
13774811377connotationsecondary meaning to a word21
13774811378consonancerepetition of same consonant in words close together22
13774811379couplettwo rhyming lines in a verse23
13774811380denotationthe literal meaning of a word24
13774811381denouementfinal outcome of the story25
13774811382deus ex machinaresolution of a plot by chance or coincidence26
13774811383didactic writingwriting with a primary purpose to teach or preach27
13774811384direct presentation of characterauthor telling the reader how a character is and what actions it will do further in the story28
13774811385double rhymerhyme where the repeated vowel is in the second last syllable of words involved (ex; born scorn)29
13774811386dramatic expositionprose commentaries, to provide background information about the characters and their world30
13774811387end rhymerhymes occurring at the end of line31
13774811388end stopped lineline ending in regular punctuation32
13774811389English sonneta sonnet rhyming ababcdcdededgg33
13774811390epiphanywhen a character receives a spiritual insight into they life34
13774811391euphonysmooth choice and arrangement of sounds35
13774811392extended figureA figure of speech sustained or developed through a considerable number of lines or through a whole poem.36
13774811393falling actionEvents after the climax, leading to the resolution37
13774811394feminine rhymelines rhymed by their final two syllables38
13774811395figurative languageLanguage that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.39
13774811396figure of speecha way of saying something other than the ordinary way40
13774811397footbasic unit in the scansion or measurement of verse , stressed and un stressed syllables41
13774811398formexternal pattern or shape of a poem42
13774811399free versePoetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme43
13774811400hamartiatragic flaw which causes a character's downfall44
13774811401imageryDescription that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)45
13774811402indirect presentation of characterthe personality of a character is revealed by what he or she does or says46
13774811403internal rhymeA word inside a line rhymes with another word on the same line47
13774811404ironyA contrast between expectation and reality48
13774811405verbal ironyA figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant49
13774811406dramatic ironyIrony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.50
13774811407irony of situationrefers to an occurrence that is contrary to what is expected or intended51
13774811408italian sonnetA sonnet consisting of an octave with the rhyme pattern abbaabba, followed by a sestet with the rhyme pattern cdecde or cdcdcd52
13774811409masculine rhymeA rhyme ending on the final stressed syllable53
13774811410melodramaa play based upon a dramatic plot and developed sensationally54
13774811411metaphorA comparison without using like or as55
13774811412meterA regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry56
13774811413metonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it57
13774811414motivationA need or desire that energizes and directs behavior58
13774811415narratorPerson telling the story59
13774811416octave8 line stanza60
13774811417onomatopoeiaA word that imitates the sound it represents.61
13774811418hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor62
13774811419oxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.63
13774811420paradoxA statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.64
13774811421paraphraseA restatement of a text or passage in your own words.65
13774811422personificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes66
13774811423plotSequence of events in a story67
13774811424point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told68
13774811425omniscient point of viewThe point of view where the narrator knows everything about the characters and their problems - told in the 3rd person.69
13774811426third person limited point of viewnarrator tells the story from only one character's pov70
13774811427first person point of viewa character in the story is actually telling the story himself/herself71
13774811428objective point of viewa narrator who is totally impersonal and objective tells the story, with no comment on any characters or events.72
13774811429protagonistMain character73
13774811430quatrainA four line stanza74
13774811431rhythmA regularly recurring sequence of events or actions.75
13774811432rhyme schemeA regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem76
13774811433rising actionEvents leading up to the climax77
13774811434sarcasmthe use of irony to mock or convey contempt78
13774811435satireA literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.79
13774811436scansionAnalysis of verse into metrical patterns80
13774811437sestet6 line stanza81
13774811438settingThe context in time and place in which the action of a story occurs.82
13774811439simileA comparison using "like" or "as"83
13774811440soliloquyA long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage84
13774811441sonnet14 line poem85
13774811442stanzaA group of lines in a poem86
13774811443stream of consciousnessprivate thoughts of a character without commentary87
13774811444syllabic verseVerse measured by the number of syllables rather than the number of feet per line.88
13774811445symbolA thing that represents or stands for something else89
13774811446synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa. Ex:all hands on deck90
13774811447synesthesiadescribing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")91
13774811448tercet3 line stanza92
13774811449terza rimaa verse form with a rhyme scheme: aba bcb cdc, etc.93
13774811450themeCentral idea of a work of literature94
13774811451toneAttitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character95
13774811452tragedyA serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character96
13774811453truncationUtilizing a melody with part of the end omitted.97
13774811454understandmentthe deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it actually is; a deliberate under-emphasis98
13774811455verseA single line of poetry writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme99
13774811456vilanellea 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
13774811457EuphemismAn indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant.101
13774811458DictionA writer's or speaker's choice of words102
13774811459MoodFeeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.103
13774811460Enjambmentthe continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza.104
13774811461SyntaxThe arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.105
13774811462refrainA line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem.106
13774811463parallel structurerepetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.107
13774811464Visual Structurealtering poems physical shape or placement on the page108
13774811465RhymeRepetition of sounds at the end of words109
13774811466ForeshadowingA narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader.110
13774811467Romantic Period1798-1832; Romanticism a movement in the literature of virtually every country of Europe, the United States, and Latin America that lasted from about 1750 to about 1870, characterized by reliance on the imagination and subjectivity of approach, freedom of thought and expression, and an idealization of nature.111
13774811468Samuel Taylor ColeridgeLove for shakespere and milton, opimum addiction, wrote about religious and politcal theory.112
13774811469William Wordsworthsympathy, troubles, new era for poem-common language.113
13774811470John KeatsBelieved in sexual and racial equality, and was called mad.114
13774811471William BlakeMost flamboyount poet, part of the greek indepence from Turkey.115
13774811472Major Concerns of the romantic periodNo body on the bottom could make a change Using logic instead of religion. Bring the power to the common man Wanting to be free of tyranny116
13774811473themes of literatureliberalism- the desire to be free Ruins and Relics of the Ancient Past- They love to brood Rebellion- Heroism- created characters greater than humans eg: Frankenstein Emotion. Sense and Sensuality Sublime. Republic Democracy Nature- Loved trees, anything outdoors117
13774811474Causes of the Romantic periodThat being said, the Romantic Period from a new array of artists who were tired of being told what to do, think and how to interpret life. Given that the war had caused political and societal lives to fall apart the Romantics wished to offer a much different perspective on life, this new perspective offered individuality, the support of emotion over reason, and highlighted the importance of reason.118

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