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AP Literature Literary Devices Flashcards

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8639403016allegorystory or poem that can be used to reveal a hidden meaning0
8639403017alliterationbeginning of same letter or sound in closely connected words1
8639403018allusionindirect of passing reference2
8639403019anaphorarepetition in first part of a sentence , to have an artistic meaning3
8639403020antagonista hostile person who is opposed to another character4
8639403021apostrophefigure of speech used to adresss an imaginary character5
8639403022approximate rhymewords in rhyming pattern that sound alike6
86394030237
8639403024assonancerepetition of vowel sounds8
8639403025blank versepoetry written in meter without an ending rhyme9
8639403026cacophonyblend of unharmonious sounds10
8639403027caesurapause in the middle of a line11
8639403028catharsisthe release of emotions through art (emotional cleanse)12
8639403029flat characterstory character who have no depth, usually has one personality or characteristic13
8639403030round charactercharacter who has complex personality: contradicted person14
8639403031dynamic characterchanges throughout the story, through major conflict15
8639403032static characterperson who doesn't change throughout story keeps same personality16
8639403033characterizationprocess of revealing characters personality17
8639403034climaxpoint where conflict hits its highest point18
8639403035comedydrama that is amusing or funny19
8639403036conflictstruggle between opposing forces20
8639403037connotationsecondary meaning to a word21
8639403038consonancerepetition of same consonant in words close together22
8639403039couplettwo rhyming lines in a verse23
8639403040denotationthe literal meaning of a word24
8639403041denouementfinal outcome of the story25
8639403042deus ex machinaresolution of a plot by chance or coincidence26
8639403043didactic writingwriting with a primary purpose to teach or preach27
8639403044direct presentation of characterauthor telling the reader how a character is and what actions it will do further in the story28
8639403045double rhymerhyme where the repeated vowel is in the second last syllable of words involved (ex; born scorn)29
8639403046dramatic expositionprose commentaries, to provide background information about the characters and their world30
8639403047end rhymerhymes occurring at the end of line31
8639403048end stopped lineline ending in regular punctuation32
8639403049English sonneta sonnet rhyming ababcdcdededgg33
8639403050epiphanywhen a character receives a spiritual insight into they life34
8639403051euphonysmooth choice and arrangement of sounds35
8639403052extended figureA figure of speech sustained or developed through a considerable number of lines or through a whole poem.36
8639403053falling actionEvents after the climax, leading to the resolution37
8639403054feminine rhymelines rhymed by their final two syllables38
8639403055figurative languageLanguage that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.39
8639403056figure of speecha way of saying something other than the ordinary way40
8639403057footbasic unit in the scansion or measurement of verse , stressed and un stressed syllables41
8639403058formexternal pattern or shape of a poem42
8639403059free versePoetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme43
8639403060hamartiatragic flaw which causes a character's downfall44
8639403061imageryDescription that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)45
8639403062indirect presentation of characterthe personality of a character is revealed by what he or she does or says46
8639403063internal rhymeA word inside a line rhymes with another word on the same line47
8639403064ironyA contrast between expectation and reality48
8639403065verbal ironyA figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant49
8639403066dramatic ironyIrony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.50
8639403067irony of situationrefers to an occurrence that is contrary to what is expected or intended51
8639403068italian sonnetA sonnet consisting of an octave with the rhyme pattern abbaabba, followed by a sestet with the rhyme pattern cdecde or cdcdcd52
8639403069masculine rhymeA rhyme ending on the final stressed syllable53
8639403070melodramaa play based upon a dramatic plot and developed sensationally54
8639403071metaphorA comparison without using like or as55
8639403072meterA regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry56
8639403073metonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it57
8639403074motivationA need or desire that energizes and directs behavior58
8639403075narratorPerson telling the story59
8639403076octave8 line stanza60
8639403077onomatopoeiaA word that imitates the sound it represents.61
8639403078hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor62
8639403079oxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.63
8639403080paradoxA contradiction or dilemma64
8639403081paraphraseA restatement of a text or passage in your own words.65
8639403082personificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes66
8639403083plotSequence of events in a story67
8639403084point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told68
8639403085omniscient point of viewThe point of view where the narrator knows everything about the characters and their problems - told in the 3rd person.69
8639403086third person limited point of viewnarrator tells the story from only one character's pov70
8639403087first person point of viewa character in the story is actually telling the story himself/herself71
8639403088objective point of viewa narrator who is totally impersonal and objective tells the story, with no comment on any characters or events.72
8639403089protagonistMain character73
8639403090quatrainA four line stanza74
8639403091rhythmA regularly recurring sequence of events or actions.75
8639403092rhyme schemeA regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem76
8639403093rising actionEvents leading up to the climax77
8639403094sarcasmthe use of irony to mock or convey contempt78
8639403095satireA literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.79
8639403096scansionAnalysis of verse into metrical patterns80
8639403097sestet6 line stanza81
8639403098settingThe context in time and place in which the action of a story occurs.82
8639403099simileA comparison using "like" or "as"83
8639403100soliloquyA long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage84
8639403101sonnet14 line poem85
8639403102stanzaA group of lines in a poem86
8639403103stream of consciousnessprivate thoughts of a character without commentary87
8639403104syllabic verseVerse measured by the number of syllables rather than the number of feet per line.88
8639403105symbolA thing that represents or stands for something else89
8639403106synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa90
8639403107synesthesiadescribing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")91
8639403108tercet3 line stanza92
8639403109terza rimaa verse form with a rhyme scheme: aba bcb cdc, etc.93
8639403110themeCentral idea of a work of literature94
8639403111toneAttitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character95
8639403112tragedyA serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character96
8639403113truncationUtilizing a melody with part of the end omitted.97
8639403114understandmentthe deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it actually is; a deliberate under-emphasis98
8639403115verseA single line of poetry writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme99
8639403116vilanellea 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

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