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AP Literature Terms Flashcards

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7184357422AllegoryA work that functions on a symbolic level0
7184357807AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant "Peter Piper picked a peck of picked peppers"1
7184359216AllusionA reference contained in a work2
7184359669AnapestA metrical pattern of two unaccented syllables followed by an accented syllable3
7184360763AntagonistThe force or character that opposes the main character, the protagonist4
7184361257ApostropheDirect address in poetry "Be with me Beauty, for the fire is dying"5
7184362260AsideWords spoken by an actor intended to be heard by the audience but not by the other characters onstage6
7184363041AubadeA love poem set at dawn which bids farewell to the beloved7
7184363994BalladA simple narrative poem, often incorporating dialogue that is written in quatrains, generally with a rhyme scheme of A B C D8
7184365493Blank verseUnrhymed iambic pentameter. Most of Shakespeare's plays are in this form9
7184367877CacophonyHarsh and discordant sounds in a line or passage of a literary work10
7184368754CaesuraA break or pause within a line of poetry indicated by punctuation and used to emphasize meaning11
7184369789CatharsisAccording to Aristotle, the release of emotion that the audience of a tragedy experiences12
7184377725CharacterOne who carries out the action of the plot in literature. Major, minor, static, and dynamic are types of characters13
7184379340ClimaxThe turning point of action or character in a literary work, usually the highest moment of tension14
7184380332Comic reliefThe inclusion of a numerous character or scene to contrast with the tragic elements of a work, thereby intensifying the next tragic event15
7184382767ConflictA clash between opposing forces in a literary work, such as man vs man; man vs nature; man vs God; man vs self16
7184384077ConnotationThe interpretive level of a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning17
7184385026ConventionA traditional aspect of a literary work such as a soliloquy in a Shakespearean play or a tragic hero in a Greek tragedy18
7184387187CoupletTwo lines of rhyming poetry; often used by Shakespeare to conclude a scene or an important passage19
7184390279DactylA foot of poetry consisting of a stressed syllable followed bye two unstressed syllables20
7184391295DenotationThe literal one dictionary meaning of a word21
7184391797DenouementThe conclusion or typing up of loose ends in a literary work; the resolution of the conflict and plot22
7184393583Deus ex machinaA Greek invention, literally "the god from the machine" who appears at the last moment and resolves the loose ends of a play23
7184395007DictionThe author's choice of words24
7184395297Dramatic monologueA type of poem that presents a conversation between a speaker and an implied listener25
7184395970ElegyA poem that lamentable the dead or a loss26
7184402802EnjambmentA technique in poetry that involve the running on of a line or stanza. It enables the poem to move and to develop coherence as well as directing the reader with regard to form and meaning27
7184406798EpicA lengthy, elevated poem that celebrates the exploits of a hero28
7184407667EpigramA brief witty poem29
7184409151EuphonyThe pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds in a literary work30
7184414273ExpositionBackground information presented in a literary work31
7184415155FableA simple, symbolic story usually employing animals as characters32
7184416059Figurative languageThe body of devices that enables the writer to operate on levels other than the literal one. I think include some metaphor, simile, symbol, motif, hyperbole, and others33
7184421092FlashbackA device that enables a writer to refer to past thoughts, events, episodes34
7184422352FootA metrical unit in poetry; a syllabic measure of a line: iamb, trochee, anapest, dactyl, and spondee35
7184494666ForeshadowingHints of future events in a literary work36
7184495698FormThe shape or structure of a literary work37
7184502984Free versePoetry without a defined form, meter, or rhyme scheme38
7184503970HyperboleExtreme exaggeration39
7184504715IambA metrical foot consisting of an unaccented syllable followed by an accented one; the most common poetic foot in the English language40
7184505746IdyllA type of lyric poem which extols the virtues of an ideal place or time41
7184507182ImageA verbal approximation of a sensory impression, concept, or emotion42
7184507696ImageryThe total effect of related sensory images in a work of literature43
7184508458ImpressionismWriting that reflects a personal image of a character, event, or concept44
7184509162IronyAn unexpected twist or contrast between what happens and what was intended or expected to happen. It involves dialogue and situation, and it can be intentional or unplanned. Dramatic irony centers around the ignorance of those involved while the audience is aware of the circumstance45
7184512476Lyric poetryA type of poetry characterized by emotion, personal feelings, and brevity; a large and inclusive category of poetry that exhibits rhyme, meter, and reflective thought46
7184514372MetaphorA direct comparison between dissimilar things47
7184514708Metaphysical poetryRefers to the work of poets like John Donne who explore highly complex, philosophical ideas through extended metaphors and paradox48
7184517089MeterA pattern of beats in poetry49
7185285466MetonymyA figure of speech in which a representative term is used for a larger idea "The pen is mightier than the sword"50
7185291702MonologueA speech given by one character51
7185297489MotifThe repetition or variations of an image or idea in a work which is used to develop theme or characters52
7185298020Narrative poemA poem that tells a story53
7185298202NarratorThe speaker of a literary work54
7185298742OctaveAn eight-line stanza, usually combined with a sestet in a Petrarchan sonnet55
7185301646OdeA formal, lengthy poem that celebrates a particular subject56
7185302914OnomatopoeiaWords that sound like the sound they represent (Hiss, gurgle, bang)57
7185304364OxymoronAn image of contradictory terms (Bittersweet, pretty ugly)58
7185306237ParableA story that operates on more than one level and usually teaches a moral lesson59
7185307832Parallel plotA secondary story line that mimics and reinforces the main plot60
7185309972ParodyA comic imitation of a work that ridicules the original61
7185312089PathosThe aspects of a literary work that elicit pity from the audience62
7185312700PersonificationThe assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts63
7185313323PlotA sequence of events in a literary work64
7185313717Point of viewThe method of narration in a work65
7185314639ProtagonistThe hero or main character of a literary work, the character the audience sympathizes with66
7185315756QuatrainA four-line stanza67
7185316245ResolutionThe denouement of a literary work68
7185316971Rhetorical questionA question that does not expect an explicit answer. It is used to pose an idea to be considered by the speaker or the audience69
7185318428Rhyme/rimeThe duplication of final syllable sounds in two or more lines70
7185323502RhythmThe repetitive pattern of beats in poetry71
7185327338RomanticismA style or movement of literature that has as its foundation an interest in freedom, adventure, idealism, and escape72
7185330009SatireA mode of writing based on ridicule, which criticizes the foibles and follies of society without necessarily offering a solution73
7185333559SestetA six-line stanza, usually paired with an octave to form a Petrarchan sonnet74
7185334469SestinaA highly structured poetic form of 39 lines, written in iambic pentameter. It depends upon the repetition of six words from the first stanza in each of six stanzas75
7185336367SettingThe time and place of a literary work76
7185337262SimileAn indirect comparison that uses the words "like" or "as" to link the differing items in the comparison77
7185339572SoliloquyA speech in a play which is used to reveal the character's inner thoughts to the audience78
7185343732SonnetA 14-line poem with a prescribed rhyme scheme in iambic pentameter79
7185346570SpondeeA poetic foot consisting of two accented syllables80
7185347472Stage directionsThe specific instructions a playwright includes concerning sets, characterization, delivery, etc81
7185352122StanzaA unit of a poem, similar in rhyme, meter, and length to other units in the poem82
7185356251StructureThe organization and form of a work83
7185356676StyleThe unique way an author presents his ideas. Diction, syntax, imagery, structure, and content all contribute to a particular style84
7185358018SubplotA secondary plot that explores ideas different from the main storyline85
7185359051SymbolSomething in a literary work that stands for something else86
7185359623SynecdocheA figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of a whole87
7185361549SyntaxThe grammatical structure of prose and poetry88
7185361807TercetA three-line stanza89
7185361808ThemeThe underlying ideas that the author illustrates through characterization, motifs, language, plot, etc90
7185364425ToneThe author's attitude toward his subject91
7185364715Tragic heroAccording to Aristotle, a basically good person of noble birth or exalted position who has a fatal flaw or commits an error in judgement which leads to his downfall. The tragic hero must have a moment of realization and live and suffer92
7185367761UnderstatementThe opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and humor where one writes or says less than intended93
7185370117VillanelleA highly structured poetic form that compromises six stanzas: five tercets, and a quatrain. The poem repeats the first and third lines throughout94

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