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

AP Literature Terms Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
8043979777AlliterationThe occurrence of the same letter of sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.0
8043994852AllusionAn implies or indirect reference especially in literature.1
8044000582AntagonistOne that contends with or opposes another.2
8044003507ArchetypeA recurrent symbol or motif in literature art, or mythology.3
8044008656AssonanceRepetition of vowels without repetition of consonants used as an alternative to rhyme in verse.4
8044016374BalladLiterary device defined as un-rhyming verse written in iambic parameter to syllables unstressed. Short story in verse, song or poem.5
8044039047Blank VerseIt is a poem with no rhyme but it does have an iambic parameter.6
8044169925CaesuraRhythmical pause dividing the line of verse, an obvious pause.7
8044178468ConflictStruggle between two opposing people between protagonists and antagonists.8
8044189429ConnotationThe emotional implications and associations that words may carry as distinguished from their denotative meaning.9
8044196584DenotationLiteral or dictionary meaning of a word in contrast to its connotative meaning or associated meaning.10
8044203545Deus Ex MachinaUnexpected power or event seemingly hopeless situation.11
8044214356Dramatic MonologueThe speech of verbal presentation is given by a single character to tell their thoughts.12
8044220515DictionStyle of speaking or writing determined by the choice of words by a speaker or writer.13
8044224655ElegyWritten in honor of someone deceased. A mournful melancholy or plaintive poetry.14
8044246264Epic SimileSimile that runs for a really long time and are usually used for decorating heroes.15
8044263204EpitaphLoving poem about a dead friend, usually written on a plaque or tombstone.16
8044274964Figurative LanguageUses figure of speech to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful. Metaphors, simile, imagery, etc.17
8044284631GothicHorror or combination of horror and fiction, along with death and romance.18
8044293086Haiku17 syllables that are split into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5. A lot of allusions and comparisons.19
8044317620Iambic PentameterA foot or beat of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable or a short syllable followed by a long one. 5 metrical feet.20
8044342652ImageryUse figurative language to represent objects actions and ideas that appeals to our physical sense.21
8044350350IronyIntended meaning is different than actual meaning.22
8044355506LyricCollection of verses and choruses complete song singe speakers non narrative.23
8044365817MetaphorComparison without using like or as.24
8044367971Metaphysical poetryHarsh and rigid expressions with ingenious conceits, incongruous imagery and a lot of paradox.25
8044389118Dramatic IronyUnderstood by audience but not characters.26
8044391871MoodAtmosphere of a literary piece as it creates an emotional situation that surrounds the reader.27
8044399057MotifObject or idea that repeats itself throughout a literary work explains a theme.28
8044410806Narrative PoemExpresses ideas or emotions in a powerfully vivd and imaginative style. An entire story.29
8044424282OdeLyrical in nature, not length praise people and natural scenes along with abstract ideas.30
8044443749PastoralA utopian rural area. Portraying a country life typically in a romanticized form. Free from corruption of the city or court.31
8044455476PersonificationA kind of metaphor that gives inanimate objects of abstract ideas.32
8044465999Point of ViewMode of narration that an author impious to let the readers see.33
8044472977ProtagonistCentral character or leading figure in poetry, narrative, etc. "HERO" of the story.34
8044480563RhymePattern at the end of each verse or line in poetry.35
8044483451RhythmMeasure motion, long and short patterns through stressed and unstressed syllables.36
8044488232Romantic PoetryEmphasis on emotional and imaginative spontaneity. Self expression and individual feelings a usual religious response.37
8044527716SestinaSix line stanzas and three line envoy and in each stanza there is a repeat of end words of the lines of the first stanza. No rhyme.38
8044619700SettingAn environment of surrounding in which a story takes place.39
8044672201StyleVaries from the authors word choice, and tone. The way in which the writer writes. The voice that the readers listen to.40
8044685420SyntaxDetermines how the chosen words are used to from a sentence.41
8044693250ToneAttitude of a writer towards a subject or an audience.42
8044695637Villanelle19 lines and a fixed forms. Two repeating lines. First and third tercet are repeated throughout the poem until the last stanza.43
8044713956Cavalier PoetsHated the metaphysical poetry: Thomas, Lovelace, Henrick, Suckling.44
8044721873Narrative TechniquesMethod of telling a story used by a writer can use. Monologue, dialogue, and manipulation of time.45
8044730553Rhetorical TechniqueEffective use of persuasive language resources of language. Contrast, repetition, paradox and understatement.46

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!