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AP Literature: Literary Terms Flashcards

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14807466018plotSequence of events in a story0
14807468782structurearrangement of story elements according to purpose, style and genre1
14807475909ConflictA struggle between opposing forces2
14807476855flat characterA character who embodies a single quality and who does not develop in the course of a story3
14807478049stock charactera stereotypical character4
14807496933rising actionEvents leading up to the climax5
14807527101dramatizedThe presentation of character or of emotion through the speech or action of characters rather than through exposition, analyses, or description by the author.6
14807531970indirect presentationthe personality of a character is revealed by what he or she does or says7
14807537653direct presentationwhen the writer tells the readers directly what kind of personality a character possesses8
14807538821indeterminate endingan ending in which the central problem or conflict is left unresolved9
14807539856artisticcreative or imaginative skill in the arts10
14807540894chanceopportunity11
14807544463round characterA character who demonstrates some complexity and who develops or changes in the course of a work12
14807546706static characterA character that does not change from the beginning of the story to the end13
14807548856falling actionEvents after the climax, leading to the resolution14
14807549877element of surpriseUsing novelty, unexpectedness, and puzzles in work15
14807552038Genrea major category or type of literature16
14807553901in medias resin or into the middle of a plot; into the middle of things17
14807554611Characterizationthe act of creating and developing a character18
14807557354developing charactera character who changes as the story progresses19
14807557927dilemmaa choice between two unpleasant or difficult options20
14807559073SuspenseA feeling of uncertainty and curiosity about what will happen next in a story21
14807564173characterA person in a story22
14807564722AntagonistA character or force in conflict with the main character23
14807566336Climaxthe turning point of the story24
14807566961mysterysomething that is secret and unknown25
14807568433coincidencetwo or more things occurring at the same time by chance26
14807569884deus ex machinathe use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem.27

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