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AP Literature Terms Flashcards

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4903039642Allegorya symbolism device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract, concept is conveyed with the aid of a more corporeal object or idea being used as an example. Example: Faith is like a stony uphill climb: a single stumble might send you sprawling but belief and steadfastness will see you to the very top.0
4903039643Allusiona figure of speech whereby the author refers to a subject matter such as a place, event, or literary work by way of a passing reference. Example: He was a real Romeo with the ladies (referring to Romeo from "Romeo and Juliet")1
4903041287ApostropheA direct address to an abstraction, a thing, an animal, or an imaginary or absent person. Example: "Feet, don't fail me now."2
4903041288AttitudeA writer's attitude toward his subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization.3
4903056845Connotationthe associations people make with words that go beyond the literal or dictionary definition.4
4903056846Denotationrefers to the use of the dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word.5
4903059218Dictionthe distinctive tone or tenor of an author's writings. Example: Certain writers in the modern day and age use archaic terms such as 'thy', 'thee' and 'wherefore' to imbue a Shakespearean mood to their work.6
4903059219Euphemismused to refer to the literary practice of using a comparatively milder or less abrasive form of a negative description instead of its original, unsympathetic form7
4903059220Foreshadowingrefers to the use of indicative word or phrases and hints that set the stage for a story to unfold and give the reader a hint of something that is going to happen without revealing the story or spoiling the suspense.8
4903060847Hyperbolea literary device wherein the author uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect9
4903060848Imagerythe author uses words and phrases to create "mental images" for the reader. Imagery helps the reader to visualize more realistically the author's writings10
4903060849Ironyrefers to playing around with words such that the meaning implied by a sentence or word is actually different from the literal meaning11
4903062617Metaphorrefers to a meaning or identity ascribed to one subject by way of another without using 'like' or 'as'12
4903062618Metonymyrefers to the practice of not using the formal word for an object or subject and instead referring to it by using another word that is intricately linked to the formal name or word.13
4903065770Moodrefers to a definitive stance the author adopts in shaping a specific emotional perspective towards the subject of the literary work.14
4903065771Paradoxrefers to the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels.15
4903065772Parodyan imitation of a particular writer, artist or a genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect.16
4903068869Point of Viewthe manner in which a story is narrated or depicted and who it is that tells the story.17
4903068870Personificationthe practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals.18
4903070652Onomatopoeiarefers to words whose very sound is very close to the sound they are meant to depict.19
4903070653Oxymoronsignificant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner.20
4903070654Satirethe practice of making fun of a human weakness or character flaw.21
4903072422Similereferring to the practice of drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts using 'like' or 'as'22
4903073726Synecdochea figure of speech where part of something is used to represent the whole thing or vice versa23
4903079753Tonethe general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing or situation24

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