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AP Literature Vocabulary Flashcards

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2852996510Allegorya story, poem, or a picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning (2 levels of meaning-- surface & deeper meaning)0
2852999613Alliterationthe occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected words1
2853001356Allusionan expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference2
2853004930Ambiguityuncertainty or inexactness of meaning in language (Example: I rode a black horse in red pajamas)3
2853009537Analogycomparison between like features of two things that are otherwise dissimilar4
2853011682Anaphorathe repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses5
2853138079Anastrophethe inversion of the usual order of words or clauses.. NOUNS & ADJECTIVES6
2853139265Anecdotea short and interesting story or an amusing event-- makes readers laugh7
2853140525Antagonistcharacter or group of characters that stand in opposition to the protagonist(s); normally the "bad guy"8
2853142825Antithesistwo opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect (Example: setting foot on the moon may be a small step for man but a giant step for mankind)9
2853147754Anthropomorphismthe attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object10
2853149678Aphorisma statement or truth expressed in a concise matter (Example: if it's not broke, don't fix it)11
2853151819Appositiona relationship between two or more words or phrases in which the two units are grammatically parallel (Example: my friend Sue; the first U.S. president George Washington)12
2853155068Assonancewhen two or more words close to one another repeat the same vowel sound but start with different consonant sounds (Example: men sell the wedding bells)13
2853156816Characterizationused to highlight and explain the details about a character in a story14
2853157812Indirect Characterizationsubtle way of introducing the character. The "audience" needs to figure out the character by observing actions or what they say.15
2853160800Direct Characterizationdirect approach to building a character. Author reveals traits in a very straightforward matter.16
2853162416Static Characterthe personality of a character when introduced is the same personality when the story comes to a close17
2853165950Dynamic Charactera character who changes throughout the course of a story as a result of the conflicts they encounter18
2853168037Flat Character"two-dimensional"-- relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout a story19
2853169763Round Charactercomplex characters that undergo development-- sometimes to surprise the reader20
2853172056Clichéan expression that has been over used to the extent that it loses its original meaning (Example: lost track of time; at the speed of light)21
2853185546Colloquialismthe use of informal words or phrases or even slang (Example: y'all, gonna, wanna) **INFORMAL22
2853187592Comedya piece of work with a light and numerous characters with a happy and cheerful ending23
2853188935Conceita form of a metaphor or simile that likens two very different objects (Example: marriage is like getting a root canal) ...REALLY ELABORATE24
2853190658Conflicta literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces usually a protagonist and antagonist25
2853194481External Conflictthe struggle between a character and an outside force such as nature or another character (Example: conflict between parents and children)26
2853197233Internal Conflictpsychological struggle within the mind of a character; normally a lack of action27
2856806673Connotationrefers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes explicitly (Example: "wall street" literally means a street in New York, but is referred to for "wealth" and "power")28
2856811690Coupletliterary device that has two successive rhyming lines in a verse and has the same meter to form a complete thought (Example: "The time is out of joint, o curse spite. That ever I was born to set it right.)29
2856816339Dialectthe language used by people of a specific area, class, or any other group of people. Dialect involves spelling, sounds, grammar, and pronunciation.30
2856818583Dictionstyle of speaking or writing determined by the choice of words by a speaker or writer31
2856820171Didactica novel, play, or poem that is didactic aims to teach us something. They often have morals to impart or teach us something about religion, philosophy, history, or politics.32
2856836437Elegya form of literature which can be defined as a poem or song in the form of elegiac couplets, written in honor of someone deceased33
2856838723Epica long narrative poem, often written about a hero34
2856839993Epigrapha literary device in the form of a poem, quotation, or sentence usually placed at the beginning of a document-- used as a summary, introduction, or an example to draw comparison35
2856859039Epithetdescribes a place, thing, or person in such a way that it helps in making the characteristics of a person, thing, or place more prominent than the actually are36
2856862980Essaya short form of literary composition based on a single subject matter, often gives personal opinion of the author37
2856873702Argumentative Essaya type of writing that requires a writer to defend a position on a topic using evidence to support his or her viewpoint. The writer uses several different arguments to prove his/her point38
2856877209Persuasive Essayan essay where the writer tries to convince his readers to adopt his position on a point of view or issue after he provides them solid reasoning39
2856880308Cause/Effect Essayan essay where a writer analyzes the reasons for and/or the consequences of an action, event, or decision40
2856882311Descriptive Essayan essay that gives description about a particular topic or describes the traits and characteristics of something or a person in detail. It allows artistic freedom and creates images in minds of readers through the use of the five senses41
2856888624Exposition (Expository) EssayIn this essay, the writers give explanation of an idea, theme, or issue to the audience by giving their personal opinions. This essay is presented through examples, definitions, comparison, and contrast.42
2856893482Narrative EssayNon-fiction, but describes a story with sensory descriptions. The writers not only tell a story, but also make a point by giving reasons.43
2856900336Explicationa relatively short analysis which describes the possible meanings and relationships of the words, images, etc. in a poem or other piece of work44
2856903622Fablea concise and brief story intended to provide a moral lesson at the end45
2856905105Farcea literary genre and the type of a comedy that makes the use of highly exaggerated and funny situations aimed at entertaining the audience (**goal is to make the audience laugh)46
2856911833Figurative Languagelanguage in which figures of speech are used to make it effective, persuasive, and impactful (Examples: simile, metaphor, personification, idiom, etc.)47
2856915962Foila character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character with the objective to highlight the traits of the other character. May also be used for an comparison drawn to portray a difference between two things.48
2856923937Foreshadowinga literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story49
2856925403Free Versepoetry that is free from limitations of regular meter or rhythm and does not rhyme with fixed forms50
2856928127Hyperbolea figure of speech which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis (Example: "your suitcase weighs a ton!")51
2856930461Imageryimagery means to use figurative language to represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses (Example: "It was dark and dim in the forest")52
2856934786InversionAKA: anastrophe a literary technique in which the normal order of words is reversed in order to achieve a particular effect of emphasis or meter (Example: "shouts the policeman")53
2856960779Ironya figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a situation that may end up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. (Example: difference between appearance and reality)54
2856982206Verbal Ironyinvolves what one does not mean (Example: when you respond to a foolish idea... "wow what a great idea")55
2856985306Situational Ironyirony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected56
2856998640Dramatic Ironyirony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the character in the play (Example: In "Romeo and Juliet" we know before the characters that they are going to die)57
2857009732Juxtapositiona literary technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters, and their actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts58
2857016735Lyric Poeman emotional, rhyming poem of song-like quality59
2857019434Metaphora figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two things or objects that are poles apart from each other but have some characteristics between them60
2857022720Implied Metaphora type of metaphor that compares two unlike things, but it does so without mentioning one of them (Example: "Angrily Sonia barked commands at her child" - it compared Sonia to a dog without saying anything about a dog)61
2857027367Extended Metaphora comparison between two unlike objects/things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph or lines in a poem62
2857031206Dead Metaphora figure of speech which as lost its original imagery of its meaning due to extensive, repetitive, and popular usage (Example: "body of an essay" --we don't think of a physical body when we hear this)63
2857036925Mixed Metaphora combination of two or more incompatible metaphors, which produces a ridiculous effect (Example: "hanging by a live wire")64
2857039706Mooda literary element that evokes certain feelings or vibes in reader through words and descriptions. Usually, mood is referred to as the "atmosphere" of the piece.65
2857051251Motifan object or idea that repeats itself throughout a literary work66
2857052226Motivationreason why character do what they do. Can be due to an internal or physical reward.67
2857054043Onomatopoeiaa word that imitates the natural sounds of a thing (Example: "moo" "boom" "the murmur.." "the moan..")68
2857057566Oxymorona figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective proceeded by a noun with contrasting meanings. (Example: "cruel kindness" "jumbo shrimp" "in order to lead, you must walk behind")69
2857065728Parablea short story typically with a moral lesson at the end (Example: the boy who cried wolf)70
2857069413Paradoxa term that means contrary to expectations, existing belief, or perceived opinion. It is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a latent truth. (Example: "what a pity that youth must be wasted on the young")71
2857073805Parallel Structurerepetition of the same pattern of words or phrases within a sentence or passage to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance (Example: Joe likes singing, walking, and diving)72
2857085055Parodyan imitation of a particular writer, artist or a genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect73
2857096417Personificationa figure of speech in which a thing, an idea, or an animal is given human attributes (Example: the flowers danced in the breeze)74
2857102490Plota literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story. It is known as the foundation of a novel or story.75
2857110887Expositiona literary device used to introduce background information about events, settings, characters, etc. (Example: the "three little bears" starts with a brief overview of the story. This is an exposition.)76
2857116458Rising Actiona series of relevant incidents that creates suspense, interest, and tension in literature77
2857118861Climaxa particular point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point78
2857120418Resolutionthe part of the story's plot line in which the problem of the story is resolved or worked out. This occurs after the falling action and is typically where the story ends.79
2857123692POVthe angle of considering things, which shows us the opinion, or feelings of the individuals involved in a situation. POV is the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers "hear" and "see" what takes place in a story, poem, essay, etc.80
2857131141First PersonPOV that involves the use of either of the two pronouns "I" and "we"81
2857135193Third PersonPOV that uses pronouns like "he", "she", "it", "they" or a name82
2857137282Omniscienta literary technique of writing narrative in third person in which a narrator knows the feelings and thoughts of every character in the story. An author brings an entire world of his characters to life and moves from character to character, allowing different voices to interpret events.83
2857144860Protagonistthe central character or leading figure in poetry, narrative, novel, or any other story. A protagonist is sometimes called a "hero".84
2857150914Quatraina verse with four lines, or even a full poem containing four lines, having an independent and separate theme. Often one line consists of alternating rhyme.85
2857417200Refraina verse, a line, a set, or a group of some lines that appears at the end of a stanza, or appears where a poem divides into different sections86
2857418971Rhythma literary device which demonstrates the long and short patterns through stressed and unstressed syllables particularly in verse form87
2857437051Rhetorica technique of using language effectively and persuasively in spoken or written form (Example: "Why don't you just leave me alone?" --you're not looking for a reason, you just want them to stop irritating you)88
2857447039Rhetorical Questionasked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected (Example: "Are you stupid?")89
2857453024Romancea novel or other prose narrative depicting heroic or marvelous deeds, usually in a historic or imaginary setting90
2857457816Satirea technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society bu using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule91
2857460579Similea figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. A simile uses the words "like" or "as".92
2857462847Soliloquya literary device often used in drama to reveal the innermost thoughts of a character93
2857464857Stereotypea character who possesses one or two easily recognized and identified traits which enable to observer to accurately predict behavior and personality (Example: dumb blonde)94
2857473421Stream of Consciousnessa method of narration that describes in words the flow of thoughts in the minds of the characters95
2857503897Stylethe way a writer writes and it is the technique which an individual author uses in his writing (Example: different word choice or tone)96
2857506120Suspensea genre of literature. Intense feeling that the audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events. It leaves the reader wanting more information.97
2857510550Symbola literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and is representative of several other aspects, concepts, or traits than those that are visible in the literal transition alone98
2857519659Themea main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly99
2857521105Tragedya kind of drama that presents a serious subject matter about human suffering and corresponding terrible events in a dignified manner100
2857548531Understatementa figure of speech employed by writers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is (Example: "It is a bit cold today" -when it's -15 degrees Fahrenheit outside)101
2857554837Vernaculara literary genre that uses daily used language in writing and speaking. It is different from written works, as they normally follow the formal variety of language. ...SPECIFIC REGION102
2862728339Antiheroa central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes103

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