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AP Literature Vocabulary Flashcards

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8342695310Ambiguitya phrase with two or more meanings; sentences, words, characters, novels, etc can have multiple meanings; Ex: Each of us saw her duck (hide or an actual duck?)0
8342763860Epithetword or phrase that describes a character's attributes and characteristics. It is used as a way to replace their name and may be used as a nickname; Ex: Alexander the Great1
8342842083Parablea short story to show morals or lessons without using talking animals; Ex: Parable of a Mustard Seed in the Bible2
8342908128Stereotypea trait that is applied to all members of a group, and doesn't allow for individuality; Ex: The Help3
8342951905Satireexaggeration of something, usually a political issue or problem, but can also be used as an exaggeration of a character trait; Ex: Chick Fil A will fire you if you don't say "my pleasure".4
8343008160Foila character that portrays qualities opposite to another character; Ex: Basil and Lord Henry are complete opposites5
8343030781Soliloquya speech a character regarding his thoughts no matter who is around. It is used as a dramatic device to express a character's thoughts; Ex: Lord Henry's many speeches in PoDG6
8343082156Puna play on words in a humorous effect that uses them having multiple meanings or similar sounds; Ex: "Doctor, there's a patient on line 1 that says he's invisible." "Well, tell him I can't see him right now."7
8343136655Telegraphic Sentencea concise sentence typically containing less than 5 words (named after the short messages sent through telegrams since they charged by the word). These sentences will get straight to the point with as little words as possible; Ex: Leave on doorstep. Love you. See you soon.8
8343200019Juxtapositiontwo or more ideas, places, characters, and their actions are placed side by side for the purpose of developing contrasts and comparisons; Ex: Brad cried in the corner while Sarah scoured the room, trying to find a way out; Carl turned into Dream Street, but it was a dead end.9
8343270567AnimetaboleGreek meaning: "turning about"; repeating a phrase in reverse order; Ex: "I go where I please and I please where I go"10
8343303191Farcea comedy that uses highly exaggerated and funny situations along with stereotyped characters aimed at entertaining the audience; Ex: Don't be a Menace11
8343364025Tragedybranch of drama that treats in a serious style the sorrowful or terrible events encountered or caused by a heroic individual; Ex: ending of Romeo and Juliet12
8343400594Assonancerepeating a vowel sound in a phrase or sentence, often in poetry; Ex: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper( repetition of short e and long i sounds)13
8343427436Dead Metaphorfigure of speech which has lost the original imagery of its meaning as the result repetitive and popular usage; Ex: The body of an essay is the main portion.14
8343464883Colloquialisma word or phrase that is used informal or literature; SLANG; Ex: " 'Bout who ain't fond of me..."15
8343495617Parallel Structurerepetition of a choose of grammar within a sentence; Ex: "My family went swimming and running this weekend."16
8343527826Comedyuse to amuse the audience; Ex: "Does Santa really work in the north pole? Uh no. He don't work, he lays on the couch."17
8347932985Chiasmuswhich words and concepts are repeated in a reverse or modified order; Ex: There is no love without end, and no true end without love18
8347977089Suspensefeeling of intensity and uncertainty about what may happen next; Ex: Twilight19
8348077282Paradoxself-contradicting statement with some truth usually in order to make the reader think differently than traditional ideas or ways. "It's like an Oxymoron- Metaphor" Ex: Truth is honey which is bitter; I'm a compulsive liar.20
8348209342Romancestory where the hero within it goes on an adventure or quest and is wildly successful; Ex: A policeman helps to save a child from being kidnap, child remains safe.21
8348397067Oxymoronwords that contradict each other used in a brief phrase; Ex: cruel kindness; same difference22
8348450633Stream of Consciousnessa method of narration that describes in words the flow of thoughts in the minds of the characters; Ex: Look at that polar bear on the television. Did I take out the trash-wait, I think I threw away a check from mom I need a drink of kool-aid now; "The Tell- Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe23
8348513787Epanalepsisa figure of speech in which the beginning of a clause or sentence is repeated at the end of that same clause or sentence; Ex: A minimum wage that is not a livable wage can never be a minimum wage24
8348849981CoupletTwo lines of poetry in a poem (or by itself) that are connected by rhyming words at the end of each line; Ex: I glance over the contents with hungry eyes To see leftover cold curly fries25
8348885852RhetoricThe art of effectively or persuasive speaking or writing; It is used to convey people of the story line or interest in what the person is saying; Ex: Mom's who love their children buy them Danimals26
8348934706Plain StyleTypes of writing in which uncomplicated sentences or words are used to make simple, direct sentences; Ex: Are you going to eat that? There was homework yesterday?27
8349007279AntagonistA character completely against anything about the protagonist or hero; Ex: Scar in the Lion King28
8349036898FlashbackA scene in a story line that is set in the past; Ex: Titanic29
8349061187Motivationreasoning that causes a character's actions or behaviors; Ex: Prince Charming's determination in Cinderella30
8349104504Omniscient Point of Viewa narrator that knows everything that is happening in the story and uses third person pronouns; Ex: Hunger Games31
8349137543Transcendentalisma literary movement that began in the nineteenth century that believed that society corrupts innocence in people and that people are more successful when they are more independent; Ex: Home Alone32
8349166383AllusionA direct or indirect reference to a well known person, idea, or place without describing it in detail; Ex: "This place is like a Garden of Eden."33
8349212951RefrainA verse, a line, a set, or a group of lines that appears at the end of the stanza, or appears where a poem divides into different sections Ex: Once I heard an Angel singing, When the morning was springing Peace Mercy Pity, Is the way world releases, Once I heard an Angel singing34
8349273156Anaphorathe repetition of a word or phrase in the beginning of a sentence; Ex: Every morning, every minute, every practice, I get better and better.35
8349313936Epistrophejust like an anaphora, except that the repetition is at the end of the sentences; Ex: I'm tired of this school. I'm over this school. I'm done with this school.36
8349370218Litotesa figure of speech that uses understatement to emphasize a point by stating a negative to further affirm a positive, often incorporating double negatives for effect; Ex: He's not bad looking!37
8349423823Metonymya word or phrase that represents a person, place, or thing that is referred to by something related to it; Ex: The White House will be making a decision soon38
8354280977Didacticuses fiction or nonfiction to teach a specific moral or ideal; Ex: Dr. Seuss books39
8360941637Synecdochefigure of speech when a part of something is made to represent the whole of something or vice versa; Ex: The word "sails" refers to the whole ship; the word "bread" refers to food or money40
8361044990Parodyan imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect; produce a humorously exaggerated imitation of a writer, artist, or genre; Ex: SNL, Scary Movie, Don't be a Menace41
8361093414Anthropomorphismact of giving the characteristics of a human being to an animal, god, or inanimate thing; Ex: Mickey Mouse being able to talk, sing, and dance42
8361132490Static CharacterA character that never changes throughout the story; Ex: Bruce in Finding Nemo; Scar in the Lion King43
8361163213ElegyA poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead; Ex: Lycidas by John Milton44
8361190583ModernismA literary movement that took place during the early 20th century. Experimentation and Individualism became popular, often through a series of "cultural shocks"; Ex: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad45
8361229479Balanceconstructing sentences to make both halves about the same length and importance; Ex: Light is faster but we are safer46
8361255247AphorismA pithy observation that contains a general truth; Ex: The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step47

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