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AP Literature Vocab Flashcards

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7225909837Allegorya story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning0
7225909838Allusionsan indirect reference to a famous person, place, event, or literary work.1
7225909839Ambiguity (noun)The expression of an idea in such a way that more than one meaning is suggested.2
7225909840AnalogyA comparison between two things in which the more complex is explained in terms of the more simple.3
7404089736AnaphoraThe repetition of introductory words or phrases for effect.4
7404089737AnastropheDeparture from normal word order for the sake of emphasis. Normal syntax is violated.5
7404089738AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person used to bring humor or to illustrate a particular characteristic or trait.6
7404089739AnthropomorphismThe attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities.7
7404089740AntithesisOpposition or contrast emphasized by parallel structure.8
7404089741ApostropheA strategy in which an absent person, inanimate object is addressed directly.9
7404089742AttitudeA settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior.10
7404089743ConnotationImplied or suggested meaning of a word because of its association in the reader's mind.11
7404089744ColloquialismThe use of informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing.12
7404089745ConceitA juxtaposition that makes a surprising connection between two seemingly different things.13
7404089746DenotationThe dictionary definition of a word. The literal or obvious meaning of a word.14
7404089747DictionThe choice of words especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.15
7404089748Dramatic MonologueA poem in the form of a speech or narrative by an imagined person, in which the speaker inadvertently reveals aspects of their character while describing a particular situation or series of events.16
7404089749EuphemismThe use of a word or phrase that is less direct, but also less distasteful or less offensive than another.17
7404089750ExplicationThe art of interpreting or discovering the meaning of a text.18
7404089751ForeshadowingThe use of a hint or clue to suggest a larger event that occurs later in the work.19
7404089752HyperboleDeliberate exaggeration in order to create humor or emphasis.20
7404089753ImageryLively descriptions which impress the images of things upon the mind using one or more of the five senses.21
7404089754IronyThe use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. Or When something happens as a result of or in reaction to something else in a way that is contrary to what would be expected or acceptable.22
7404176592LitotesAn understatement23
7404176593MetaphorA figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another by being spoken o as thought it was that thing.24
7404176594Mixed MetaphorA combination of two or more incompatible metaphors, which produces a ridiculous effect.25
7404176595MoodFeeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.26
7404176596MotifA recurring theme, subject or idea27
7404176597MetonymyA figure of speech that replaced the name of an object, person, or idea with something with which it is associated.28
7404176598ParadoxA statement which seems self-contradictory, but which may be true in fact.29
7404176599ParodyA form of satire that imitate another work of art in order to ridicule it.30
7404176600Point of ViewThe perspective from which a story is told.31
7404176601PersonificationThe attribution of human qualities to a nonhuman or inanimate object.32
7404176602OnomatopoeiaThe use of words that sound like what they mean, such as "hiss," "buzz," and "boom."33
7404176603OxymoronA figure of speech in which contradictory terms or ideas are combined.34
7404176604SatireThe use of ridicule, sarcasm, irony, etc. to expose vices, abuses, etc.35
7404176605SimileComparing two things using "like" or "as"36
7404176606Stream of ConsciousnessLike a first person narrator, but placing the reader inside the character's head, making the reader privy to the continuous, chaotic flow of disconnected, half-formed thoughts and impressions in the character's mind.37
7404176607SymbolAnything that stands for or represents something else.38
7404176608SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent a whole.39
7404176609SyntaxThe grammatical structure of a sentence; the arrangement of words in a sentence.40
7404176610ThemeThe central idea or message of a literary work.41
7404176611ToneThe author's implied attitude toward the subject.42
7404176612UnderstatementA statement that says less than what it means.43
7404176613VernacularThe language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.44

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