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AP Literature Literary Terms Flashcards

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4736325265ThemeGeneral idea or insight about life that a writer wishes to express; main idea0
4736325266ToneAttitude a writer takes towards a subject or character (similar to mood)1
4736325267DictionChoice of language used by the speaker or writer2
4736325268DIRECT CharacterizationProcess by which the personality of a fictious character is revealed by the use of descriptive adjectives, phrases, or epithets3
4736325269INDIRECT CharacterizationProcess by which the personality of a fictious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.4
4736325270SymbolUsing an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning5
4736325271ImageryLanguage that evokes one or more of the five senses6
4736325272MotifA dominant theme or central idea7
4736325273DialogueConversation between two or more people8
4736325274AllusionBrief reference to a famous event, person, or place9
4736325275FoilCharacter that contrasts second character that highlights certain qualities of the first character10
4736325276SimileThe comparison of two unlike things using like or as11
4736325277MetaphorThe comparison of two unlike things (without like or as)12
4736325278Extended MetaphorComparison of two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences13
4736325279PersonificationGiving off human qualities to inhuman things14
4736325280ProtagonistLead character15
4736325281AntagonistRepresents opposition to the leading character16
4736325282OxymoronPutting two contradictory words together17
4736325283ParadoxReveals a kind of truth which at first seems contradictory (two opposing ideas)18
4736325284IronyImplied discrepancy between what is said and what happens19
4736325285Verbal IronyType of irony involving what one does not mean20
4736325286Situational IronyType of irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to the expected21
4736325287Dramatic IronyType of irony understood by audience but not grasped by the characters in the situation22
4736325288ArchetypalVery typical of a certain kind of person or thing23
4736325289EuphemismMild or indirect words or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something24
4736325290UnderstatementThe presentation of something as being less than it actually is25
4736325291LitotesIronic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary26
4736325292HyperboleExaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally27
4736325293AphorismA pithy observation that contains a general truth (a saying)28
4736325294Synecdoche*A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa29
4736325295Invective*Insulting, abusive, highly critical language30
4736325296ApostropheThe dead one31
4736325297Metonymy*The substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant (i.e. suit for CEO, track for running)32
4736325298Didactic*Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior move33
4736325299Syllogism*Form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions, each of which share a term with the conclusion, and shares a common middle term34
4736325300Non-sequiturDoes not logically follow35
4736325301AnalogyComparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification36
4736325302AllegoryStory, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning (typically moral or political)37
4736325303ParableDidactic story that illustrates instructive lessons or principles38
4736325304Internal ConflictPsychological struggle within the mind of a character39
4736325305External ConflictStruggled between character and an outside force (i.e. nature)40
4736325306PathosQuality that evokes pity or sadness (emotional)41
4736325307DictionThe choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing42
4736325308Informal DictionRelaxed/conversation with familiar audience43
4736325309Formal DictionComplicated/more intense with unfamiliar audience44
4736325310DenotationLiteral/primary meaning of a word ("dictionary definition")45
4736325311ConnotationIdea or feelings that a word evokes46
4736325312ColloquialOrdinary, common, familiar47
4736325313DialectForm of language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group48
4736325314SyntaxThe arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences49
4736325315Parallel StructureRepetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence50
4736325316DECLARATIVE SentenceStates a fact or argument51
4736325317IMPERATIVE SentenceDemands a statement52
4736325318INTERROGATIVE SentencePoses a question53
4736325319EXCLAMATORY SentencePoses a statement using (!) with emotion and expression54
4736325320RepetitionRepeating something already said or written55
4736325321AnaphoraRepetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a clause56
4736325322Stichomythia*Dialogue in which two characters speak alternate lines of verse57
4736325323Chiasmus*A rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reversed order58
4736325324AntithesisDirect opposite of someone or something59
4736325325Point of ViewParticular attitude or way of considering a matter60
4736325326First PersonPOV when it is you personally61
4736325327Stream of ConsciousnessLiterary style which a character's thoughts, feelings, and reactions are depicted in a continuous flow uninterrupted by description or dialogue62
4736325328Interior MonologuePiece of writing expressing a character's inner thoughts63
4736325329Third PersonPOV in which one is uninvolved64
4736325330Third Person OmniscientPOV that knows all character's thoughts and feelings65
4736325331Limited OmniscientKnows all thoughts and feelings for one character66

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