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AP Literature Vocab Flashcards

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4772057504AllegoryA literary work in which characters , objects, and actions represent abstractions.0
4772057505AlliterationThe repetition of initial sounds in successive or neighboring words.1
4772057506AllusionA reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize.2
4772057507AnalogyA comparison of two different things that are similar in one way.3
4772057508AnapestTwo unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable.4
4772057509AnaphoraThe repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of lines or sentences.5
4772057510AnecdoteA brief narrative that focuses on a specific incident or event.6
4772057511AntecedentThe word, phrase, or clause a pronoun refers to.7
4772057512AntithesisA statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced.8
4772057513AphorismA concise statement that expresses a general idea truth or idea, often using truth or balance.9
4772057514ApostropheA figure of speech in which one directly describes an imaginary or absent person, or abstractions.10
4772057515Approximate Rhyme(Silent rhyme) the sounds are similar but not the same.11
4772057516ArchetypeA detail, image, or character type that occurs in frequently in literature and myth and it's thought to appeal in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke a response.12
4772057517Argumenta statement of the meaning or main point of a literary work.13
4772057518AssonanceThe repetition of similar vowel sounds in nearby words.14
4772057519Blank VerseA verse without rhyme, especially that uses iambic pentameter.15
4772057520CacophonyA harsh mixture of discordant sounds.16
4772057521ChiasmusA rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order.17
4772057522ClicheAn expression that has been overused to its extent in which its freshness has worn off.18
4772057523ColloquialismInformal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing.19
4772057524Complex SentenceA sentence with two independent clauses and a dependent clause.20
4772057525Compound SentenceA sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses often joined by one or more conjunctions.21
4772057526ConceitA fanciful, particularly clever extended metaphor.22
4772057527Concrete DetailsActual details that relate to or describe specific events .23
4772057528ConnotationThe implied or associative meaning of a word.24
4772057529ConsonanceThe repetition of consonant sounds anywhere within in words.25
4772057530CoupletForm of poetry that the lines have no formal groupings, the only breaks are dictated by units of meaning.26
4772057531Cumulative SentenceA sentence in which the main independent clause is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases.27
4772057532DactylA stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.28
4772057533DialectA variety of speech characterized by its own pronunciation often associated with a geographical area.29
4772057534DialogueConversation between two or more people.30
4772057535DictionWord choices made by the author.31
4772057536DidacticHaving the primary purpose of teaching or instructing.32
4772057537Didactic PoetryPoetry that is instructional or informational.33
4772057538DilemmaA situation that requires and individual to decide between to attractive solutions or unattractive solutions.34
4772057539DiameterTwo feet35
4772057540DissonanceHarsh sounds.36
4772057541Dramatic IronyWhen the author lets the reader know something that the character has not figured out yet.37
4772057542ElegyA formal poem that presents a meditation on death or another solemn theme.38
4772057543EllipsisThe omission of a word that is grammatically necessary but can be deduced from the context.39
4772057544EpicA long narrative poem written in elevated style which presents the adventures of characters of high position and episodes that are important to a race or nation.40
4772057545EpigramA brief, pithy, and paradoxical saying.41
4772057546EpigraphA saying or phrase on the title page of a work or for the heading of a chapter or other sections of work.42
4772057547EpiphanyA sudden moment of realization or insight.43
4772057548EpitaphAn inscription on a tomb or burial place.44
4772057549EpithetA term used to point out a characteristic of a person.45
4772057550ExpletiveAn interjection to lend emphasis; usually a profanity.46
4772057551FableA brief story that usually leads to a moral lesson, usually used animals.47
4772057552FantasyA story that concerns an unreal world or characters.48
4772057553Feminine RhymeA rhyme consisting of a stressed syllable and an unstressed syllable.49
4772057554Figurative LanguageLanguage employing one or more forms of figure of speech.50
4772057555FlashbackAn insertion of a earlier event into the normal chronological order of a narrative.51
4772057556FootA basic rhythmic unit in which lines of verse can be divided- in poetry a foot usually has a pause in it.52
4772057557ForeshadowingThe presentation of material in way in which the reader knows what is going to happen next.53
4772057558Frame DeviceA story within a story.54
4772057559Free VerseA type of verse that doesn't conform to any fixed meter or rhythmic scheme.55
4772057560GenreA major category of literature.56
4772057561HaikuA compact form of Japanese poetry that consists of a five seven five stanza format.57
4772057562HeptameterSeven feet58
4772057563HexameterSix feet59
4772057564HomilyA sermon or moralistic form of literature.60
4774872189IdiomAn expression in a given language that cannot be understood from the literal meaning of the words in the expression.61
4774878581Imagerythe use of figures of speech to create vivid images that appeal to one of the senses.62
4774879803Implicationa suggestion an author or speaker makes(implies), without stating it directly.63
4774884946Inductive Reasoningderiving general principles from particular facts or instances.64
4774885933Inferencea conclusion one draws(infers) based on premises or evidence.65
4774886625Internal Rhymea rhyme between two or more words within a single line of verse.66
4774887364Invectivean intensely vehement, highly emotional verbal attack.67
4774887779Ironythe use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning: or, incongruity between what is expected and what really occurs.68
4774890674Jargonthe specialized language or vocabulary of a particular group or profession.69
4774894390Juxtapositionplacing two elements side by side to present a comparison or contrast.70
4774895330Legenda narrative handed down from the past containing historical elements and usually supernatural elements.71

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