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AP Literature Review Terms Flashcards

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8936395496allegorystory or poem that can be used to reveal a hidden meaning The representation of abstract ideas or principals by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form.0
8936395497alliterationbeginning of same letter or sound in closely connected words The repitition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words in a line of poetry1
8936395498allusionindirect of passing reference Reference to someone or something that is known from history literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or another branch of culture. An indirect reference to something (usually in literature)2
8936395499anaphorarepetition in first part of a sentence , to have an artistic meaning Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines in a poem.3
8936395500antagonista hostile person who is opposed to another character The protagonist's adversary4
8936395501apostrophethe figure of speech used to address an imaginary character When a character speaks to a character or object that is not present or is unable to respond5
8936395502approximate rhymewords in rhyming pattern that sound alike6
8936395503asidewhen a character's dialogue is spoken but not heard by other actors on the stage7
8936395504assonancerepetition of vowel sounds8
8936395505blank versepoetry written in meter without an ending rhyme Name for unrhymed iambic pentameter. An iamb is a metrical foot in which an unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed syllable. In iambic pentameter there are five iambs per line making ten syllables.9
8936395506cacophonyblend of unharmonious sounds10
8936395507caesurapause in the middle of a line11
8936395508catharsisthe release of emotions through art (emotional cleanse)12
8936395509flat characterstory character who have no depth, usually has one personality or characteristic13
8936395510round charactercharacter who has complex personality: contradicted person14
8936395511dynamic characterchanges throughout the story, through major conflict15
8936395512static characterperson who doesn't change throughout story keeps same personality16
8936395513characterizationprocess of revealing characters personality17
8936395514climaxpoint where conflict hits its highest point18
8936395515comedydrama that is amusing or funny19
8936395516conflictstruggle between opposing forces20
8936395517connotationsecondary meaning to a word21
8936395518consonancerepetition of same consonant in words close together22
8936395519couplettwo rhyming lines in a verse23
8936395520denotationthe literal meaning of a word24
8936395521denouementfinal outcome of the story25
8936395522deus ex machinaresolution of a plot by chance or coincidence26
8936395523didactic writingwriting with a primary purpose to teach or preach27
8936395524direct presentation of characterauthor telling the reader how a character is and what actions it will do further in the story28
8936395525double rhymerhyme where the repeated vowel is in the second last syllable of words involved (ex; born scorn)29
8936395526dramatic expositionprose commentaries, to provide background information about the characters and their world30
8936395527end rhymerhymes occurring at the end of line31
8936395528end stopped lineline ending in regular punctuation32
8936395529English sonneta sonnet rhyming ababcdcdededgg33
8936395530epiphanywhen a character receives a spiritual insight into they life34
8936395531euphonysmooth choice and arrangement of sounds35
8936395532extended figureA figure of speech sustained or developed through a considerable number of lines or through a whole poem.36
8936395533falling actionEvents after the climax, leading to the resolution37
8936395534feminine rhymelines rhymed by their final two syllables Term that refers to an unstressed extra syllable at the end of a line of iambic pentameter38
8936395535figurative languageLanguage that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.39
8936395536figure of speecha way of saying something other than the ordinary way40
8936395537footbasic unit in the scansion or measurement of verse , stressed and un stressed syllables41
8936395538formexternal pattern or shape of a poem42
8936395539free versePoetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme43
8936395540hamartiatragic flaw which causes a character's downfall44
8936395541imageryDescription that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)45
8936395542indirect presentation of characterthe personality of a character is revealed by what he or she does or says46
8936395543internal rhymeA word inside a line rhymes with another word on the same line47
8936395544ironyA contrast between expectation and reality48
8936395545verbal ironyA figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant49
8936395546dramatic ironyIrony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.50
8936395547irony of situationrefers to an occurrence that is contrary to what is expected or intended51
8936395548italian sonnetA sonnet consisting of an octave with the rhyme pattern abbaabba, followed by a sestet with the rhyme pattern cdecde or cdcdcd52
8936395549masculine rhymeA rhyme ending on the final stressed syllable Stressed extra syllable at the end of a line53
8936395550melodramaa play based upon a dramatic plot and developed sensationally54
8936395551metaphorA comparison without using like or as55
8936395552meterA regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry The measured arrangement of words in poetry, as by accentual rhythm, syllabic quantity, or the number of syllables in a line.56
8936395553metonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it57
8936395554motivationA need or desire that energizes and directs behavior58
8936395555narratorPerson telling the story First Person - The narrator is a character in the story Third Person Objective: The narrator does not tell what anyone is thinking; the "fly on a wall" Third Person Limited: The narrator is able to tell the thoughts of one of the characters Third Person Omniscient: The narrator is able to tell the thoughs of any character59
8936395556octave8 line stanza60
8936395557onomatopoeiaA word that imitates the sound it represents.61
8936395558hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor62
8936395559oxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.63
8936395560paradoxA contradiction or dilemma64
8936395561paraphraseA restatement of a text or passage in your own words.65
8936395562personificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes66
8936395563plotSequence of events in a story67
8936395564point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told68
8936395565omniscient point of viewThe point of view where the narrator knows everything about the characters and their problems - told in the 3rd person.69
8936395566third person limited point of viewnarrator tells the story from only one character's pov70
8936395567first person point of viewa character in the story is actually telling the story himself/herself71
8936395568objective point of viewa narrator who is totally impersonal and objective tells the story, with no comment on any characters or events.72
8936395569protagonistMain character73
8936395570quatrainA four line stanza74
8936395571rhythmA regularly recurring sequence of events or actions.75
8936395572rhyme schemeA regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem76
8936395573rising actionEvents leading up to the climax77
8936395574sarcasmthe use of irony to mock or convey contempt78
8936395575satireA literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.79
8936395576scansionAnalysis of verse into metrical patterns80
8936395577sestet6 line stanza81
8936395578settingThe context in time and place in which the action of a story occurs.82
8936395579simileA comparison using "like" or "as"83
8936395580soliloquyA long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage84
8936395581sonnet14 line poem85
8936395582stanzaA group of lines in a poem86
8936395583stream of consciousnessprivate thoughts of a character without commentary87
8936395584syllabic verseVerse measured by the number of syllables rather than the number of feet per line.88
8936395585symbolA thing that represents or stands for something else89
8936395586synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa90
8936395587synesthesiadescribing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")91
8936395588tercet3 line stanza92
8936395589terza rimaa verse form with a rhyme scheme: aba bcb cdc, etc.93
8936395590themeCentral idea of a work of literature94
8936395591toneAttitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character95
8936395592tragedyA serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character96
8936395593truncationUtilizing a melody with part of the end omitted.97
8936395594understandmentthe deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it actually is; a deliberate under-emphasis98
8936395595verseA single line of poetry writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme99
8936395596vilanellea 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
8936395597AmbiguityWhen an author leaves out details or information or is unclear about an event so the reader will use his/her imagination to fill in the blanks.101
8936395598AnecdoteA short story or joke told at the beginning of a speech to gain the audience's attention.102
8936395599Anti-climaticWhen the ending of the plot in poetry or prose is unfulfilling or lackluster103
8936395600AntithesisBalancing words, phrases, or ideas that are strongly contrasted, often by means of grammatical structure104
8936395601AntiheroCentral character who lacks all the qualities traditionally associated with heroes. May lack courage, grace, intelligence, or moral scruples105
8936395602AnthropomorphismAttributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object106
8936395603ClimaxThe turning point in the plot or the high point of action107
8936395604Colloquial LanguageInformal, conversational language. Typically phrases that are indicative of a specific region.108
8936395605ConceitAn elaborate metaphor that compares two things that are startlingly different.109
8936395606ConnotationAn idea or meaning suggested by or associated with a word or thing - Bat = evil110
8936395607ConventionAn understanding between a reader and a writer about certain details of a story that does not need to be explained111
8936395608CoupletA pair of rhymed lines that may or may not constitute a separate stanza in a poem.112
8936395609DidacticFrom the Greek, didactic literally means "teaching." Didactic words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing,especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.113
8936395610Dues Ex MachinaTerm that refers to a character or force that appears at the end of a story or play to help resolve conflict. Word means "god from a machine". In ancient Greek drama, gods were lowered onto the stage by a mechanism to extricate characters from a seemingly hopeless situation. The phrase has come to mean any turn of events that solve the characters' problems through an unexpected and unlikely intervention.114
8936395611DictionThe choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing115
8936395612DenouementThe final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot.116
8936395613DoppelgangerThe alter ego of a character- the suppressed side of one's personality that is usually unaccepted by society.117
8936395614ElegyA poem or song composed especially as a lament for a deceased person.118
8936395615Emotive LanguageDeliberate use of language by a writer to instill a feeling or visual.119
8936395616EnjambmentA line having no pause or end punctuation but having uninterrupted grammatical meaning continuing into the next line.120
8936395617EpicA long narrative poem, written in heightened language, which recounts the deeds of a heroic character who embodies the values of a particular society121
8936395618EpilogueA short poem or speech spoken directly to the audience following the conclusion of a play, or in a novel the epilogue is a short explanation at the end of the book which indicates what happens after the plot ends.122
8936395619EpiphanySudden enlightenment or realization, a profound new outlook or understanding about the world usually attained while doing everyday mundane activities.123
8936395620EpistolaryUsed to describe a novel that tells its story through letters written from one character to another.124
8936395621EpithetA word or phrase preceding or following a name which serves to describe the character. Ex: Alexander the Great.125
8936395622EuphemismA mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing The act of substituting a harsh, blunt, or offensive comment for a more politically accepted or positive one126
8936395623EuphonyA succession of words which are pleasing to the ear. These words may be alliterative, utilize consonance, or assonance and are often used in poetry but also seen in prose127
8936395624ExpansionAdds an unstressed syllable and a contraction or elision removes an unstressed syllable in order to maintain the rhythmic meter of a line. This practice explains some words frequently used in poetry such as th' in place of the, o'er in place of over, and 'tis or 'twas in place of it is or it was.128
8936395625FableA usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans129
8936395626FarceA type of comedy in which ridiculous and often stereotyped characters are involved in silly, far-fetched situations130
8936395627FlashbackWhen a character remembers a past event that is relevant to the current action of the story.131
8936395628Flat CharacterA literary character whose personality can be defined by one or two traits and does not change over the course of the story. Flat characters are usually minor or insignificant characters132
8936395629FoilA character that by contrast underscores or enhances the distinctive characteristics of another133
8936395630FolkloreThe traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people, transmitted orally.134
8936395631ForeshadowingClues in the text about incidents that will occur later in the plot, foreshadowing creates anticipation in the novel135
8936395632GenreA category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, marked by a distinctive style, form, or content136
8936395633Gothic NovelA genre of fiction characterized by mystery and supernatural horror, often set in a dark castle or other medieval setting137
8936395634HeroineA woman noted for courage and daring action or the female protagonist138
8936395635Hubrisused in Greek tragedies, refers to excessive pride that usually leads to a hero's downfall139
8936395636HyperboleA figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or comic/dramatic effect.140
8936395637IllocutionLanguage that avoids meaning of the words. When we speak, sometimes we conceal intentions or sidestep the true subject of a conversation. Writing illocution expresses two stories, one of which is not apparent to the characters, but is apparent to the reader. For example, if two characters are discussing a storm on the surface it may seem like a simple discussion of the weather, however, the reader should interpret the underlying meaning that the relationship is in turmoil, chaos, is unpredictable, As demonstrated the story contains an underlying meaning or parallel meanings141
8936395638ImageryThe use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas142
8936395639In medias resA story that begins in the middle of things143
8936395640InversionIn poetry is an intentional digression from ordinary word order which is used to maintain regular meter. For example, rather than saying "the rain came" a poem my say "came the rain". Meter can be formed by the insertion or absence of a pause.144
8936395641IronyWhen one thing should occur, is apparent, or in logical sequence but the opposite actually occurs. Example: A man in the ocean might say, "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink."145
8936395642JuxtapositionPoetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to one another, creating an effect of surprise and wit146
8936395643Litotes(pronounced almost like "little tee") - a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite. Litote is the opposite of hyperbole. Examples: "Not a bad idea," "Not many," "It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain" (Salinger, Catcher in the Rye).147
8936395644Local Colora term applied to fiction or poetry which tends to place special emphasis on a particular setting, including its customs, clothing, dialect and landscape.148
8936395645Memoiran account based on the author's personal experiences149
8936395646MetaphorA comparison between two objects with the intent of giving clearer meaning to one of them. Often forms of the "to be" verb are used, such as "is" or "was", to make the comparison150
8936395647MotifA recurrent image word phrase represented object or action that tends to unify the literary work or that may be elaborated into a more general theme151
8936395648First Person Point of Viewa character in the story is actually telling the story himself/herself152
8936395649Third Person Objective Point of ViewThe narrator is an outsider who can report only what he or she sees and hears. This narrator can tell us what is happening, but he can't tell us the thoughts of the characters.153
8936395650Third Person Omniscient Point of ViewPoint of view in which an all-knowing narrator who is privy to the thoughts and actions of any or all characters.154
8936395651Third Person Limited Point of ViewThis type of point of view presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all remaining characters155
8936395652NovellaA shorter fictional prose narrative that ranges from 50-100 pages in length.156
8936395653Neutral LanguageLanguage opposite from emotive language as it is literal or even objective in nature.157
8936395654Oblique RyhmeImperfect rhyme scheme158
8936395655Odea lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject, often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or irregular meter159
8936395656OnomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur. If you note examples of onomatopoeia in an essay passage, note the effect.160
8936395657ParableA simple story that illustrates a moral or religious lesson161
8936395658ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. It exploits peculiarities of an author's expression (propensity to use too many parentheses, certain favorite words, etc.) Well-written parody offers enlightenment about the original, but poorly written parody offers only ineffectual imitation. nuances of the newer work. Occasionally, however, parodies take on a life of their own and don't require knowledge of the original.162
8936395659Poetic JusticeIs a term that describes a character "getting what he deserves: in the end, especially if wat he deserves is punishment. The prest form of poetic justice results when one character pots against another but ends up being caught in his or her own trap.163
8936395660Prologuea separate introductory section of a literary or musical work164
8936395661PunA play on words. In an argument, a pun usually calls humorous attention to particular point. He kept waving at the princess. He was a devoted fan.165
8936395662RefrainA line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem.166
8936395663RhetoricFrom the Greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.167
8936395664Rites of PassageAn incident which creates tremendous growth signifying a transition from adolescence to adulthood.168
8936395665Round CharacterA character who demonstrates some complexity and who develops or changes in the course of a work169
8936395666ResolutionEnd of the story where loose ends are tied up170
8936395667StyleThe consideration of style has two purposes: (1) An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other We can analyze and describe an author's personal style and make judgments on how appropriate it is to the author's purpose. Styles can be called flowery, explicit, succinct, rambling, bombastic, commonplace, incisive, laconic, etc. (2) Classification of authors to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors. By means of such classification and comparison, we can see how an author's style reflects and helps to define a historical period, such as the Renaissance or the Victorian period, or a literary movement, such as the romantic, transcendental, or realist movement.171
8936395668UnderstatementA statement that says less than what is meant172

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