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AP Literature Semester Terms Flashcards

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5942136538Modernsism19th and early 20th centuries; It is characterized by a self-conscious break with traditional ways of writing, in both poetry and prose fiction. Modernists like Franz Kafka experimented with literary form and expression. This literary movement was driven by a conscious desire to overturn traditional modes of representation, express new things, and change the norm.0
5942153589ClassicismDeriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity and restraint1
5942164090Romanticism19th-century; held that emotion and impression, not reason, were the keys to the mysteries of human experience and nature; sought to portray passions, not calm reflection.2
5942164091Realism19th-century; The depiction of people, things, and events, as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect3
5942195642HyperboleOverstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect4
5942199119UnderstatementThe presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is5
5942210561Figurative LanguageImplied meanings (simile, metaphor, symbolism, personification)6
5942214368SimileA comparison using "like" or "as"7
5942214369MetaphorFigure of speech that compares unlike objects8
5942215552SymbolismThe use of an object to evoke the ideas and associations not literally part of the original object9
5942215553PersonificationInanimate objects given human characteristics10
5942232083Voice2 types; active & passive11
5942246469DictionChoice of words12
5942247973ToneAttitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character; spirit of the writing13
5942257816ImageryThe use of language & detail to create sensory impressions.14
5942269991StructureThe manner a piece of writing is organized; long, short, or very brief; length of sentences; in medias res15
5942291698AllusionA reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea16
5942298084Point of ViewPerspective the story is being told First person: Participates in the story Third person singular: Third person omniscient: Outside the story but knows everything Stream of consciousness: Presents thoughts as if they were coming directly from a character's mind17
5942341174SyntaxSentence structure; pattern of word18
5942370150IronyA contrast between expectation and reality Verbal: Words are used to show a contrast in truth Dramatic: Reader knows more about the situation than the character (Oedipus Rex)19
5942388681NovellaA short novel (Heart of Darkness)20
5942398201AmbiguityA vagueness in meaning to evoke multiple interpertations21
5942403909EpigraphA short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter to suggest its theme22
5942411006DialogueConversation between characters23
5942414880ThemeCentral or main idea; provides insight on human experience24
5942433690Musical DevicesThe technique of using the sound of words (meter, rhyme, alliteration, assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia)25
5942440158MeterThe repetition of a regular rhythmic unit in a line of poetry; emphasizes the musical quality of the language and relates to the subject of the poem; each unit is known as a foot26
5942440159RhymeClose similarity of sound between accented sullables27
5942442053Rhyme SchemeThe pattern of end rhyme used in a poem28
5942442054AlliterationThe repitiiton of similar consonant sounds, normally at the beginning of words29
5942442055AssonanceThe repetition of similar vowel sounds30
5942442091ConsonanceThe repetition of similar consonant sounds in a group of words. End of the words have similar consonants but the vowels that precede them are different.31
5942444524OnomatopoeiaA word that imitates the sound it represents32
5942500851Half rhymeStressed syllables of ending consonants match, however, the preceding vowel sounds do not match.33
5942509617AlienationFeeling isolated and separated from everyone else34
5942509618AllegoryA literary work in which characters, objects, or actions represent an underlying meaning35
5942511272SynechdocheA figure of speech in which a part is used to represent a whole36
5942511273MetonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it37
5942512618ApostropheWhen a speaker addresses a person or personified thing not present38
5942512619StanzaUsually a repeated grouping of three or more lines with the same meter and rhyme scheme39
5942588369Dramatic MonologueA type of poem in which a speaker addresses a silent listener; we overhear the speaker40
5942597388EpicA long narrative poem, written in heightened language, which recounts the deeds of a heroic character who embodies the values of a particular society (The Odyssey)41
5942614252Free VersePoetry not written in traditional meter but is still rhythmical42
5942617546Elegy(Lyrical poem) of grief or mourning43
5942617547Lyrical PoetryPoetry that is heavily emotional and rhythmic, usually relating to romantic subjects.44
5942619073Blank VerseUnrhymed iambic pentameter45
5942648431SonnetA popular form of verse consisting of 14 lines and a rhyme scheme.46
5942662932Shakespearean SonnetQuatrain: A four-line stanza Couplet: Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme47
5942664572Petrarchan SonnetOctave: Eight-line stanza Sestet: Six-line stanza48
5942710731VoltaA shift or turning point in a work of prose or poetry (Shift in POV, tone, mood, style)49
5942722351EnjambmentA run-on line of poetry in which logical and grammatical sense carries over from one line to the next.50
5942737916RefrainA phrase or line important to the central topic, which is repeated at regular intervals throughout a poem, usually at the end of a stanza.51
5942760065Iambic PentameterA poetic line made up of 5 iambs- unstressed, stressed syllable pattern52
5942782676Heroic CoupletTwo consecutive rhyming lines of iambic pentameter that contain a complete thought53
5942791570AsideA remark or passage by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play (convey private thoughts, information, and humor)54
5942794657MonologueA long speech made by one performer to other characters on stage.55
5942800773SoliloquyA long speech expressing his inner thoughts and feelings alone on stage56
5942814260PunPlay on multiple meanings of a word57
5942824243ArchaicOld; outdated58
5942826579Objective CorrelativeOutward manifestation of an inward feeling or state of being; gives you a glimpse of what is going on inside the person59
5942830770The Great Chain of Being60
5942832359TragedyA serious portrayal of the downfall of a human character (protagonist vs fate/destiny)61
5942843885Tragic heroA character of stature (internal or external) that isn't good or bad; his downfall is brought by a weakness or error in judgment62
5942850900Tragic flawWeakness of character; error in judgement63
5942942533DownfallThe tragic hero recognizes their won role in their downfall64
5942852775HubrisExcessive pride65
5942854485PityEmpathy66
5942854684TerrorShock/awe67
5942856132CatharsisA cleansing of the spirit brought pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy; leads to greater apprehension, understanding, knowledge of time. It increases your self-awareness68
5942873397John Donne17th century metaphysical poet69
5942873398Andrew Marvell70
5942875277ContextWords, events, or circumstances that help determine meaning71
5942885920ParallelismThe use of components in a sentence that are similar in their sound, construction, or meaning. It gives balance, flow, and emphasis72
5942889713Pastoral PoetryPastoral poetry is poetry that describes rural, or simple life. This type of poetry symbolizes shepherds and their naturally simplistic lifestyles.73
5942931073RepititionRepeating a word, phrase, or idea for emphasis or rhythmic effect74
5942932562DramaIrony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.75
5942936230in medias resNarrative that starts at a critical point76
5942963501ParadoxSomething that is seemingly self-contradictory but is true77
5942975668ConceitA fanciful, particularly clever extended metaphor78
5942989409Metaphysical ConceitUnusually compared medicine, love, death, and religion; very complex79

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