AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Literature Terms and Devices Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
7224514652adageA saying that becomes widely accepted as truth over time. Usually observances of life and behaviour that express a general truth. Ex: "A penny saved is a penny earned."0
7224514653allegoryA story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical or possibly ethical meaning.1
7224514654alliterationThe repetition of one or more initial consonant in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose. Writers use this for ornament or for emphasis.2
7224514655allusionA reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.3
7224514656ambiguityA vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation.4
7224514657anachronismA person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time/era in which the work is set.5
7224514658analogyA comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to something else that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar.6
7224514659antagonistA character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict.7
7224514660antithesisA rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.8
7224514661aphorismA statement of truth or opinion expressed in a concise and witty manner. The term is often applied to philosophical, moral and literary principles.9
7224514662ApollonianIn contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behaviour.10
7224514663apostropheA figure of speech where the writer or speaker detaches himself from his present reality and addresses an imaginary character in his speech.11
7224514664archetypeA character, action or situation which represents or reflects a commonly held or universal pattern, such as human nature.12
7224514665assonanceThe repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose.13
7224514666balladA simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited; a long narrative poem, usually in very regular meter and rhyme, typically has a folksy quality14
7224514667bardA poet or a performer in olden times who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment.15
7224514668BildungsromanA special kind of novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of its main character from his or her youth to adulthood. Generally, such a novel starts with a loss or a tragedy that disturbs the main character emotionally. He or she leaves on a journey to fill that vacuum.16
7224514669blank versePoetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton; its lines generally do not rhyme.17
7224514670bombastInflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects.18
7224514671cacophonyThe use of words with sharp, harsh, hissing and unmelodious sounds, primarily those of consonants, to achieve the desired results. Ex: "I detest war because cause of war is always trivial."19
7224514672caesuraIt involves creating a fracture within a sentence, where the two separate parts are distinguishable from one another yet intrinsically linked; the purpose is to create a dramatic pause. Ex: "Mozart- oh, how your music makes me soar!"20
7224514673canonThe works most widely read, studied, and considered most important in national literature or in a specific literary period.21
7224514674caricatureA grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things; a portrait that exaggerates a facet of personality.22
7224514675catharsisA cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy.23
7224514676classicismDeriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity and restraint.24
7224514677conceitA figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors; it develops a comparison which is exceedingly unlikely but is, nonetheless, intellectually imaginative.25
7224514678anticlimaxThis occurs when an action produces far smaller results than one had been led to expect; it is frequently comic in effect.26
7224514679anti-heroA protagonist who is markedly un-heroic, morally weak, cowardly, dishonest, or any number of other unsavoury qualities; he is not just good or noble like a conventional hero.27
7224514680asideA speech (usually just a short comment) made by an actor to the audience, as though momentarily stepping outside of the action on stage.28
7224514681atmosphereThe emotional tone or background that surrounds a scene.29
7224514682black humorThe use of disturbing themes in comedy. Ex: two tramps comically debating over which should commit suicide first, and whether the branches of a tree will support their weight.30
7224514683cadencethe beat or rhythm of poetry in a general sense31
7224514684cantois a divider in long poems, much like chapters in a novel32
7224514685coinagea.k.a. neologism, inventing a word33
7224514686colloquialismthis is a word or phrase used in everyday conversational English that isn't a part of accepted "schoolbook" English34
7224514687controlling imagewhen an image dominates and shapes the entire work35
7224514688metaphysical conceita type of conceit that occurs only in metaphysical poetry36
7224514689connotationthe suggest or implied meaning of a word/phrase37
7224514690consonancethe repetition of two or more consonant sounds within a group of words or a line of poetry38
7224514691coupleta pair of lines that end in rhyme39
7224514692heroic couplettwo rhyming lines in iambic pentameter are called this40
7224514693denotationthe literal, dictionary definition of a word41
7224514694denouementthe resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work or fiction42
7224514695Dionysianas distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure seeking impulses43
7224514696dictionthe choice of words in oral and written discourse44
7224514697syntaxthe ordering and structuring of the words in a sentence45
7224514698dirgea song for the dead, its tone is typically slow, heavy, and melancholy46
7224514699dissonancethe grating of incompatible sounds47
7224514700doggerelcrude, simplistic verse, often in sing-song rhyme48
7224514701dramatic ironywhen the audience knows something that the characters in the drama do not49
7224514702dramatic monologuewhen a single speaker in literature says something to a silent audience50
7224514703elegya poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing/death of something/someone of value51
7224514704elementsthe basic techniques of each genre of literature. IN SHORT STORY: characters, irony, theme, symbol, plot, setting. IN POETRY: figurative language, symbol, imagery, rhythm, rhyme. IN DRAMA: conflict, characters, climax, conclusion, exposition, rising action, falling action, props. IN NONFICTION: argument, evidence, reason, appeals, fallacies, thesis.52
7224514705ellipsisthree periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation53
7224514706empathya feeling of association or identification with an object/person54
7224514707end stoppeda term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation55
7224514708enjambmentthe continuation of a syntactic unit from one line or couplet of a poem to the next with no pause56
7224514709epican extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure57
7224514710mock epica parody form that deals with mundane events and ironically treats them as worthy of epic poetry58
7224514711epitaphlines that commemorate the dead at their burial place. usually a line or handful of lines, often serious or religious, but sometimes witty and even irreverent59
7224514712epigrama concise but ingenious, witty and thoughtful statement60
7224514713euphonywhen sounds blend harmoniously; pleasing, harmonious sounds61
7224514714epithetan adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing62
7224514715eponymousa term for the title character of a work of literature63
7224514716euphemisma mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term64
7224514717explicitto say or write something directly and clearly65
7224514718explicationthe interpretation/analysis of a text66
7224514719extended metaphora series of comparisons between two unlike objects that occur over a number of lines67
7224514720fablea short tale often featuring nonhuman character that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior. i.e Orwell's "Animal Farm"68
7224514721falling actionthe action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict69
7224514722fantasya story containing unreal, imaginary features70
7224514723farcea comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose71
7224514724figurative languagein contrast to literal language, this implies meanings. It includes devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification, etc.72
7224514725foila secondary character whose purpose is to highlight the characteristics of a main character, usually by contrast73
7224514726first person narrativea narrative told by a character involved in the story, using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we"74
7224514727flashbacka return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances75
7224514728foreshadowingan event or statement in a narrative that suggests, in miniature, a larger event that comes later76
7224514729footthe basic rhythmic unit of a line in poetry. it is formed by a combination of two or three syllables, either stressed or unstressed77
7224514730framea structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative78
7224514731free versea kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm or fixed metrical feet79
7224514732genrea term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay80
7224514733Gothic novela novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terror pervades the action. i.e. "Frankenstein"81
7224514734haranguea forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade82
7224514735hubristhe excessive pride/ambition that leads to the main character's downfall83
7224514736hyperboleexaggeration/deliberate overstatement84
7224514737humanisma belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity85
7224514738implicitto say or write something that suggests and implies but never says it directly or clearly86
7224514739in medias resLatin for "in the midst of things"; a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point87
7224514740idylla lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place88
7224514741imagea word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled or felt89
7224514742inversionswitching customary order of elements in a sentence or phrase. when done badly it can give a stilted, artificial look-at-me-I'm-poetry feel to the verse. type of syntax90
7224514743ironya mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm91
7224514744invectivea direct verbal assault; a denunciation. i.e. Candide92
7224514745kenninga device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions/qualities, as in "ring-giver" for king and "whale-road" for ocean93
7224514746lamenta poem of sadness or grief over the death of a loved one or over some other intense loss94
7224514747lampoona satire95
7224514748light versea variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, but sometimes with a satirical thrust96
7224514749loose sentencea sentence that is complete before its end. follows customary word order of English sentences i.e. subject-verb-object97
7224514750periodic sentencea sentence not grammatically complete until it has reached its final phrase; sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main thought only at the end98
7224514751lyricpersonal, reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject; the word is used to describe tone, it refers to a sweet, emotional melodiousness99
7224514752melodramaa form of overly-dramatic theater in which the hero is very, very good, the villain mean and rotten, and the heroine oh-so-pure.100
7224514753litotesa form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity101
7224514754maxima saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth102
7224514755metaphora figure of speech that compares unlike objects103
7224514756metaphysical poetrythe work of poets, particularly those of 17th c., that uses elaborate conceits, is highly intellectual, and expresses the complexities of love and life104
7224514757meterthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry105
7224514758metonymya figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. e.g. "The White House says..."106
7224514759modethe general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a work of literature107
7224514760montagea quick succession of images/impressions used to express an idea108
7224514761moodthe emotional tone in a work of literature109
7224514762nemesisthe protagonist's archenemy or supreme and persistent difficulty110
7224514763objectivitythis treatment of a subject matter is an impersonal/outside view of events111
7224514764subjectivitythis treatment of a subject matter uses the interior/personal view of a single observer and is typically colored with that observer's emotional responses112
7224514765onomatopoeiawords that sound like what they mean113
7224514766morala brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature114
7224514767motifa phrase, idea, event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature.115
7224514768museone of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer116
7224514769mythan imaginary story that has become accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group/society. often used to explain natural phenomena.117
7224514770narrativea form of verse or prose that tells a story118
7224514771naturalisma term often used as a synonym for "realism"; also a view of experiences that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic119
7224514772non sequitura statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before120
7224514773novel of mannersa novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group121
7224514774odea lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject.122
7224514775omniscient narratora narrator with unlimited awareness, understanding, and insight of characters, setting, background, and all other elements of the story123
7224514776oxymorona phrase composed of opposites; a contradiction. juxtaposition of contradictory element to create a paradoxical effect124
7224514777oppositionone of the most useful concepts in analyzing literature. it means that you have a pair of elements that contrast sharply.125
7224514778ottava rimaan eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem126
7224514779parablelike a fable or an allegory, it's a story that instructs; a story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived127
7224514780paradoxa statement that seems self-contradictory yet true128
7224514781parallelismrepeated syntactical similarities used for effect129
7224514782parodyan imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject130
7224514783paraphrasea version of a text put into simpler, everyday, words131
7224514784pastorala work of literature dealing with rural life132
7224514785pathetic fallacyfaulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects133
7224514786pathosthat element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow134
7224514787pentametera verse with five poetic feet per line135
7224514788personathe role/facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader, viewer, or the world at large; the narrator in a non-first-person novel136
7224514789personificationgiving an inanimate object human like qualities or form137
7224514790plotthe interrelationship among the events in a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution138
7224514791picaresque novelan episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. e.g. "Don Quixote", "Moll Flanders"139
7224514792plainta poem or speech expressing sorrow140
7224514793point of viewthe perspective from which the action of a novel in presented.141
7224514794omniscient narrator3rd person narrator who sees like God into each character's mind and understands all the action going on.142
7224514795limited omniscient narrator3rd person narrator who generally reports only what one character (usually the main) sees, and who only reports the thoughts of that one privileged character.143
7224514796objective narrator3rd person narr. who only reports on what would be visible to a camera, doesn't know what the character is thinking unless the character speaks of it.144
7224514797first person narratorthis is a narrator who is a character in the story and tells the tale from his/her POV. when the narrator is crazy, a liar, very young, or for some reason not entirely credible, the narrator is "unreliable"145
7224514798prosodythe grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry146
7224514799protagonistthe main character in a work of literature147
7224514800preludean introductory poem to a longer work of verse148
7224514801punthe usually humorous use of a word in such a way to suggest two or more meanings149
7224514802pseudonymalso called "pen name", a false name or alias used by writers. i.e Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) George Orwell (Eric Blair)150
7224514803quatriana four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem151
7224514804refraina line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem152
7224514805requiema song of prayer for the dead153
7224514806realismthe depiction of people, things, and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect154
7224514807rhetoricthe language of a work and its style; words, often highly emotional, used to convince or sway an audience155
7224514808rhetorical questiona question that suggests an answer. in theory, the effect is that it causes the listener to feel they have come up with the answer themselves156
7224514809rhapsodyan intensely passionate verse or section of verse, usually of love or praise157
7224514810rhymethe repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals, used mostly in poetry158
7224514811rhyme schemethe patterns of rhymes within a given poem i.e. abba159
7224514812rhythmthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry. similar to meter160
7224514813romancean extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places161
7224514814sarcasma sharp, caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt162
7224514815satirea literary style used to poke fun at, attack or ridicule an idea, vice, or foible, often for the purpose of inducing change. great subjects for this include hypocrisy, vanity and greed, especially if those characteristics have become institutionalized in society163
7224514816similefigurative comparison using the words "like" or "as"164
7224514817settingthe total environment for the action in a novel/play. it includes time, place, historical milieu, and social, political and even spiritual circumstances165
7224514818sentimentala term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish166
7224514819sentimenta synonym for "view" or "feeling"; also refined and tender emotion in literature167
7224514820scansionthe act of determining the meter of a poetic line.168
7224514821sonneta popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme. two types: Shakespearean and Petrarchan169
7224514822soliloquya speech spoken by a character alone on stage. meant to convey the impression that the audience is listening to the character's THOUGHTS. unlike an aside, it is not meant to imply that the actor acknowledges the audience's presence170
7224514823stanzaa group of lines in verse, roughly analogous in function to the paragraph in prose; a group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter, rhyme, or some other plan171
7224514824stream of consciousnessa style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind, e.g. Ernest Hemingway172
7224514825stock charactersstandard or cliched character types: the drunk, the miser, the foolish girl, etc.173
7224514826suggestto imply, infer indicate. goes along with the concept of implicit174
7224514827stylethe manner in which an author uses and arranges words, shapes ideas, forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas175
7224514828subplota subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play, usually connected to the main plot176
7224514829subtextthe implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature177
7224514830summarya simple retelling of what you've just read. what you DON'T want to do in the Open Essay section :)178
7224514831symbolisma device in literature where an object represents an idea179
7224514832synecdochea figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part180
7224514833themethe main idea or meaning, often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built181
7224514834thesisthe main position of an argument. the central contention that will be supported182
7224514835tonethe author's attitude toward the subject being written about. it's the characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work183
7224514836tragic flawin a tragedy, this is the weakness of a character in an otherwise good individual that ultimately leads to his demise184
7224514837tragedya form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish, or even death185
7224514838travestya grotesque parody186
7224514839truisma way-too-obvious truth187
7224514840utopiaan idealized place. imaginary communities in which people are able to live in happiness, prosperity and peace. Sir Thomas More came up with this idea.188
7224514841verbal ironya discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words189
7224514842versea synonym for poetry. also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry190
7224514843verisimilitudesimilar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is191
7224514844versificationthe structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. i.e. monometer = 1 foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet, etc.192
7224514845villanellea French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of 19 lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes193
7224514846voicethe real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker. a verb is in the active voice when it expresses an action performed by its subject. a verb is in the passive voice when it expresses an action performed upon its subject or when the subject is the result of the action. Active: The crew raked the leaves. Passive: The leaves were raked by the crew.194
7224514847witthe quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that surprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene195
7224514848zeugmathe use of a word to modify two or more words, but used for different meanings. "He close the door and his heart on his lost love."196
7224514849anastropheinversion of the natural or usual word order197
7224514850anaphorarepetition of the same words or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses. e.g. "I have a dream..."198
7224514851epistropherepetition of the same word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses "When we first came we were very many and you were very few. Now you are many and we are getting very few."199
7224514852epanalepsisrepetition at the end of a clause of the word that occurred at the beginning of the clause. "Blood hat bought blood, and blows have answer'd blows"200
7224514853anadiplosisrepetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause. "The crime was common, common be the pain."201
7224514854antimetabolerepetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order. "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."202
7224514855chiasmusreversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses. "Exalts his enemies, his friends destroys."203
7224514856polyptotonrepetition of words derived from the same root. "But in this desert country they may see the land being rendered USELESS by OVERUSE."204
7224514857antanaclasisrepetition of a word in two different senses. "Your argument is sound, nothing but sound."205
7224514858paronomasiause of words alike in sound but different in meaning. "ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a GRAVE man."206
7224514859syllepsisthe use of a word understood differently in relation to two or more other words, which it modifies/governs. "The ink, like our pig, keeps running out of the pen."207
7224514860anthimeriathe substitution of one part of speech for another "I'll UNHAIR they head."208
7224514861periphrasissubstitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name or of a proper name for a quality associated with the name. "They do not escape JIM CROW; they merely encounter another, not less deadly variety."209
7224514862autobiographyan account of a person's own life210
7224514863dialecta way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region/group of people211
7224514864epiphanyin a literary work, a moment of sudden insight/revelation that a character experiences212
7224514865essaya short piece of non-fiction prose that examines a single subject from a limited POV213
7224514866suspensethe uncertainty/anxiety we feel about what is going to happen next in a story214

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!