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AP Literature and Composition Terms Flashcards

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6341160764acta major unit of action in a drama or play. Each act can be further divided into smaller sections called scenes.0
6341160765allegorya story in which people, things and actions represent an idea about life; allegories often have a strong moral or lesson.1
6341160766alliterationthe repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words (tongue twisters)2
6341160767allusiona reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature. Allusions are often indirect or brief references to well-known characters or events.3
6341160768analogya comparison of two or more like objects that suggests if they are alike in certain respects, they will probably be alike in other ways as well.4
6341160769anecdotea brief account of an interesting incident or event that usually is intended to entertain or to make a point.5
6341160770asidean actor's speech, directed to the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by other actors on stage. An aside is used to let the audience know what a character is about to do or what he or she is thinking6
6341160771assonancerepetition of vowel sounds within a line of poetry.7
6341160772audiencethe particular group of readers or viewers that the writer is addressing. A writer considers his or her audience when deciding on a subject, a purpose for writing and the tone and style in which to write.8
6341160773authorthe writer of a book, article or other text.9
6341160774author's purposean author's purpose is his or her reason for creating a particular work. The purpose can be to entertain, explain or inform, express an opinion, or to persuade.10
6341160775autobiographya form of nonfiction in which a person tells the story of his or her life.11
6341160776balladis a poem that tells a story and is meant to be sung or recited.12
6341160777biographythe story of a person's life that is written by someone else13
6341160778blank verseunrhymed iambic pentameter14
6341160779caesuraa pause or a sudden break in a line of poetry15
6341160780cause and effecttwo events are related as cause and effect when one event brings about or causes the other. The event that happens first is the cause; the one that follows is the effect.16
6341160781charactera person who is responsible for the thoughts and actions within a story, poem, or other literature. Characters are extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader interacts with a piece of literature. Every character has his or her own personality, which a creative author uses to assist in forming the plot of a story or creating a mood.17
6341160782antagonista character in a story or poem who deceives, frustrates, or works against the main character, or protagonist, in some way. The antagonist doesn't necessarily have to be a person. It could be death, the devil, an illness, or any challenge that prevents the main character from living "happily ever after."18
6341160783caricaturea picture or imitation of a person's habits, physical appearance or mannerisms exaggerated in a comic or absurd way.19
6341160784foila character who serves as a contrast or a conflict to another character20
6341160785hero/heroinea character whose actions are inspiring or noble; often the main character in a story.21
6341160786main characterthe characters who are central to the plot of a story; main characters are usually dynamic and round.22
6341160787minor charactersa less important character who interacts with the main characters, helping to move the plot along and providing background for the story. Minor characters are usually static and flat.23
6341160788characterizationall of the techniques that writers use to create characters.24
6341160789character traita character's personality; a trait is not a physical description of a character.25
6341160790direct characterizationthe author directly states a character's traits or makes direct comments about a character's nature.26
6341160791dynamic charactera character who changes throughout the course of the story.27
6341160792flat charactera character about whom little information is provided.28
6341160793indirect characterizationthe author does not directly state a character's traits; instead the reader draws conclusions and discovers a character's traits based upon clues provided by the author.29
6341160794round characteris a character who is fully described by the author. (several character traits, background information, etc.)30
6341160795static charactera character who does not change or who changes very little in the course of a story.31
6341160796chronological orderthe order in which events happen in time.32
6341160797clarifyingthe reader's process of pausing occasionally while reading to quickly review what he or she understands. By clarifying as they read, good readers are able to draw conclusions about what is suggested but not stated directly.33
6341160798clichea type of figurative language containing an overused expression or a saying that is no longer considered original.34
6341160799comedya dramatic work that is light and often humorous in tone and usually ends happily with a peaceful resolution of the main conflict.35
6341160800comparisonthe process of identifying similarities.36
6341160801concrete poetrya type of poetry that uses its physical or visual form to present its message.37
6341160802conflictthe tension or problem in the story; a struggle between opposing forces.38
6341160803central conflictthe dominant or most important conflict in the story.39
6341160804external conflictthe problem or struggle that exists between the main character and an outside force. (ex: person vs. person, person vs. society, person vs. nature, person vs. the supernatural, person vs. technology, etc.)40
6341160805internal conflictthe problem or struggle that takes place in the main character's mind (person vs. self).41
6341160806connectinga reader's process of relating the content of a literary work to his or her own knowledge and experience.42
6341160807connotationthe idea and feeling associated with a word as opposed to its dictionary definition or denotation.43
6341160808consonacethe repetition of consonant sounds anywhere within a line of poetry. Alliteration is a specific type of consonance.44
6341160809context clueshints or suggestions that may surround unfamiliar words or phrases and clarify their meaning.45
6341160810contrastthe process of pointing out differences between things.46
6341160811coupleta rhymed pair of lines in a poem. One of William Shakespeare's trademarks was to end a sonnet with a couplet, as in the poem "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day": So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long as lives this, and this gives life to thee. two line stanza47
6341160812denotationis the opposite of connotation in that it is the exact or dictionary meaning of a word.48
6341160813denouementthe final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.49
6341160814dialecta form of language that is spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of people.50
6341160815dialougeThe conversation between characters in a drama or narrative. A dialogue occurs in most works of literature.51
6341160816dramaa form of literature meant to be performed by actors before an audience. In a drama, the characters' dialogue and actions tell the story. The written form of a play is known as a script52
6341160817drawing conclusionscombining several pieces of information to make an inference is called drawing a conclusion.53
6341160818dramatic monologuea literary device that is used when a character reveals his or her innermost thoughts and feelings, those that are hidden throughout the course of the story line, through a poem or a speech. This speech, where only one character speaks, is recited while other characters are present onstage. This monologue often comes during a climactic moment in a work and often reveals hidden truths about a character, their history and their relationships.54
6341160819elegya type of literature defined as a song or poem that expresses sorrow or lamentation, usually for one who has died.55
6341160820enjambmentin poetry, the running over of a line or thought into the next of verse56
6341160821epigrama short poem or verse that seeks to ridicule a thought or event, usually with witticism or sarcasm.57
6341160822epica long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero whose actions reflect the ideals and values of a nation or group.58
6341160823epiphanya sudden moment of understanding that causes a character to change or to act in a certain way.59
6341160824epitapha short poem or verse written in memory of someone60
6341160825essaya short work of nonfiction that deals with a single subject.61
6341160826expository essayessay is one whose purpose is to explain and give information about a subject.62
6341160827evaluatingthe process of judging the value of something or someone. A work of literature can be evaluated in terms of such criteria as entertainment, believability, originality, and emotional power.63
6341160828extended metaphora figure of speech that compares two essentially unlike things in great length.64
6341160829fablea brief tale that teaches a lesson about human nature. Fables often feature animals as characters.65
6341160830fantasya work of literature that contains at least one fantastic or unreal element.66
6341160831fictionprose writing that tells an imaginary story. Includes both short stories and novels.67
6341160832figurative languageexpressions that are not literally true68
6341160833flashbackan interruption of the chronological sequence (as in a film or literary work) of an event of earlier occurrence. A flashback is a narrative technique that allows a writer to present past events during current events, in order to provide background for the current narration.69
6341160834folkloretraditions, customs and stories that are passed down within a culture. Contains various types of literature such as legends, folktales, myths, and fables.70
6341160835folktalea simple story that has been passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. Are told primarily to entertain rather than to explain or teach a lesson.71
6341160836foota unit of meter within a line of poetry72
6341160837foreshadowingwhen the writer provides clues or hints that suggest or predict future event in a story.73
6341160838free versepoetry without regular patterns of rhyme and rhythm. Often used to capture the sounds and rhythms of ordinary speech.74
6341160839generalizationa broad statement about an entire group.75
6341160840genrea type or category of literature. The four main literary ___ include: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.76
6341160841haikua traditional form of Japanese poetry, usually dealing with nature. has three lines and describes a single moment, feeling or thing. The first and third lines contain five syllables and the second line contains seven syllables.77
6341160842heroic coupleta couplet consisting of two successive rhyming lines that contain a complete thought.78
6341160843historical fictionfiction that explores a past time period and may contain references to actual people and events of the past.79
6341160844horror fictionfiction that contains mysterious and often supernatural events to create a sense of terror.80
6341160845humorthe quality that provokes laughter or amusement. Writers create humor through exaggeration, sarcasm, amusing descriptions, irony, and witty dialogue.81
6341160846hyperbolea figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect.82
6341160847idioma phrase or expression that means something different from what the words actually say. (for example, using the phrase "over his head" instead of "He doesn't understand").83
6341160848imagerythe use of words and phrases that appeal to the five senses. Writers use sensory details to help readers imagine how things look, feel, smell, sound, and taste.84
6341160849inferenceis a logical guess based on evidence based on evidence in the text.85
6341160850interviewa meeting in which one person asks another about personal matters, professional matters or both.86
6341160851ironya contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens. spices up a literary work by adding unexpected twists and allowing the reader to become more involved with the characters and plot.87
6341160852verbal ironyoccurs when the speaker means something totally different than what he or she is saying and often times the opposite of what a character is saying is true.88
6341160853dramatic ironyoccurs when facts are not known to the characters in a work of literature but are known by the audience.89
6341160854cosmic ironysuggests that some unknown force brings about dire and dreadful events.90
6341160855irony of situationthe difference between what is expected to happen and the way events actually work out.91
6341160856legenda story handed down from the past about a specific person, usually someone of heroic accomplishments.92
6341160857limericka short humorous poem composed of five lines that usually has the rhyme scheme aabba, created by two rhyming couplets followed by a fifth line that rhymes with the first couplet. A limerick typically has a sing-song rhythm.93
6341160858literal meaningthe actual meaning of a word or phrase.94
6341160859lyric poetrya song-like poem written mainly to express the feelings or emotions of a single speaker.95
6341160860main ideathe most important point that a writer wishes to express.96
6341160861memoira specific type of autobiography; like autobiography, a memoir is about the author's personal experiences. However, a memoir does not necessarily cover the author's entire life.97
6341160862metaphora type of figurative language in which a comparison is made between two things that are essentially unalike but may have one quality in common. Unlike a simile, a metaphor does not contain an explicit word of comparison, such as "like" or "as".98
6341160863meterthe regular pattern of accented and unaccented syllables.Although all poems have rhythm, not all poems have regular meter. Each unit of meter is known as a foot. The conventional symbols used to identify accented and unaccented syllables are: "/" to indicate an accented syllable; and an "X" or a small symbol shaped like a "U" to indicate an unaccented symbol. The metrical foot is the basic unit of meter. The most common metrical feet and their patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables are as follows: · iamb: X / · trochee: / X · anapest: X X / · dactyl: / X X · spondee: / / · pyrrhic: X X99
6341160864metonymythe metaphorical substitution of one word or phrase for another related word or phrase. Example: "The pen is mightier than the sword." The word "pen" is used in place of "words" and the word "sword" is used to represent the idea of fighting or war.100
6341160865mooda mood or atmosphere is the feeling that a literary work conveys to readers. Created through the use of plot, character, the author's descriptions, etc.101
6341160866motifa recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature. A motif may also be two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil. A motif is important because it allows one to see main points and themes that the author is trying to express, in order that one might be able to interpret the work more accurately.102
6341160867motivationthe reason why a character acts, feels or thinks in a certain way.103
6341160868mytha traditional story that attempts to explain how the world was created or why the world is the way that it is. stories that are passed on from generation to generation and are of unknown authorship.104
6341160869narrativeany writing that tells a story. Most novels and short stories are placed into the categories of first-person and third-person narratives, which are based on who is telling the story and from what perspective.105
6341160870nonfictionis prose writing that presents and explains ideas or that tells about real people, places, objects or events.106
6341160871novela work of fiction that is longer and more complex than a short story.107
6341160872odea lyric poem of some length, usually of serious or meditative nature and having an elevated style and formal structure.108
6341160873onomatopoeiathe use of words whose sound suggest their meaning (ex. buzz, bang, hiss).109
6341160874oral historystories of people's lives related by word of mouth. These histories usually include both factual material and personal reactions.110
6341160875oxymorona form of figurative language combining contradictory words or ideas (ex. jumbo shrimp, bittersweet).111
6341160876paradoxa statement that seems to contradict itself but is, nevertheless, true.112
6341160877parallelismthe use of similar grammatical constructions to express ideas that are related or equal in importance. For example: The sun rises. The sun sets.113
6341160878paraphrasingthe restatement of a text by readers in their own words or in another form.114
6341160879parodya literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author's work for comic effect or ridicule.115
6341160880personificationa figure of speech where animals, ideas or inanimate objects are given human characteristics.116
6341160881persuasionpersuasive writing is meant to sway readers' feelings, beliefs, or actions. normally appeals to both the mind and the emotions of readers.117
6341160882plotthe sequence of related events that make up a story.118
6341160883expositionintroduces the characters and the conflicts they face.119
6341160884inciting incidentoccurs after the exposition and introduces the central conflict within the story.120
6341160885rising actionfollowing the introduction of the central conflict; complications arise as the characters struggle with the conflict.121
6341160886climaxthe turning point, point of maximum interest, and highest tension in the plot of a story, play, or film. Usually occurs towards the end of story after the reader has understood the conflict and become emotionally involved with the characters. At the climax, the conflict is resolved, and the outcome of the plot becomes clear.122
6341160887falling actionthe end of the central conflict in a story, when the action starts to wind down.123
6341160888resolutionoccurs after the climax and is where conflicts are resolved and loose ends are tied up.124
6341160889subplotan additional minor plot that involves a secondary conflict in the story; may or may not affect the main plot.125
6341160890poetrya type of literature in which ideas and feelings are expressed in compact, imaginative, and often musical language. Poets arrange words in ways designed to touch readers' senses, emotions, and minds. Most poems are written in lines that may contain patterns of rhyme and rhythm. These lines may in turn be grouped in stanzas. See narrative, epic, ballad, lyric, haiku, limerick and concrete poetry.126
6341160891point of viewperspective from which a story is told. Understanding the point of view used in a work is critical to understanding literature; it serves as the instrument to relay the events of a story, and in some instances the feelings and motives of the character(s).127
6341160892predictingthe process of gathering information and combining it with the reader's own knowledge to guess what might occur in the story.128
6341160893primary sourcea first hand account of an event; primary sources include: diaries, journals, letters, speeches, news stories, photographs, and pieces of art.129
6341160894propagandatext that uses false or misleading information to present a slanted point of view.130
6341160895prosethe ordinary form of spoken and written language; that is, language that lacks the special features of poetry.131
6341160896similemakes a comparison between two otherwise unlike objects or ideas by connecting them with the words "like" or "as."132
6341160897soliloquya speech delivered by a character who is alone on the stage.133
6341160898sonneta distinctive poetic style that uses a system or pattern of metrical structure and verse composition usually consisting of fourteen lines, arranged in a set rhyme scheme or pattern134
6341160899speakerthe voice that talks to the reader in a poem, as the narrator does in a work of fiction. In a poet __ is not necessarily the poet.135
6341160900stage directionsthe instructions to the actors, director and stage crew in the script of a play. comparable to a paragraph in prose.136
6341160901stanzaa grouping of two or more lines within a poem.137
6341160902questioningthe process of raising questions while reading in an effort to understand characters and events.138
6341160903realistic fictionimaginative writing set in the real, modern world. The characters act like real people who use ordinary human abilities to cope with problems and conflicts typical of modern life.139
6341160904refrainrepetition in literature of one or more lines at regular intervals; sometimes called the chorus.140
6341160905repetitiona technique in which a sound, word, phrase, or line is repeated for effect or emphasis.141
6341160906rhymerepetition of an identical or similarly accented sound or sounds in a work. gives poems flow and rhythm, helping the lyricist tell a story and convey a mood.142
6341160907rhythmrefers to the pattern of flow of sounds created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. The accented or stressed syllables are marked with: stressed or accented syllables: / unstressed or unaccented syllables: X or U143
6341160908sarcasmthe use of praise to mock someone or something; the use of mockery or verbal irony144
6341160909satirea literary technique in which ideas or customs are ridiculed for the purpose of improving society.145
6341160910scanningthe process of searching through writing for a particular fact or piece of information.146
6341160911scenea section in a play presenting events that occur in one place at one time.147
6341160912sensory detailswords and phrases that help readers see, hear, taste, feel, or smell what an author is describing.148
6341160913sequencethe order in which events occur or in which ideas are presented.149
6341160914settingthe time, place, physical details, and circumstances in which a story occurs. include the background, atmosphere or environment in which characters live and move, and usually include physical characteristics of the surroundings. Settings enables the reader to better envision how a story unfolds by relating necessary physical details of a piece of literature.150
6341160915short storybrief work of fiction that generally focuses on one or two main characters who face a single problem or conflict.151
6341160916stereotypea broad generalization or an oversimplified view that disregards individual differences.152
6341160917storymappinga visual organizer that helps a reader understand a work of literature by tracking setting, characters, events and conflicts.153
6341160918stylehow a writer says something; many elements contribute to style, including word choice, sentence length, tone and figurative language154
6341160919summarizingthe process of briefly recounting the main ideas of a piece of writing in a person's own words, while omitting unimportant details.155
6341160920suspensea feeling of growing tension and excitement. Writers create suspense by raising questions in readers' minds about what might happen. symbolism: using something specific to stand for something else, especially an idea. A symbol is a person, place, object or action that for something beyond itself. For example, a dove may represent peace. The dove can be seen and peace cannot. synecdoche: a literary technique in which the whole is represented by naming one of its parts (genus named for species), or vice versa (species named for genus). Example: "You've got to come take a look at my new set of wheels." The vehicle here is represented by its parts, or wheels.156
6341160921symbolismusing something specific to stand for something else, especially an idea.157
6341160922tall talea humorously exaggerated story about impossible events.158
6341160923themea common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work. a thought or idea the author presents to the reader about life or human nature. Generally, a theme has to be extracted as the reader explores the passages of a work. The author utilizes the characters, plot, and other literary devices to assist the reader in this endeavor. The author often intertwines the theme throughout the work, and the full impact is slowly realized as the reader processes the text. The ability to recognize a theme is important because it allows the reader to understand part of the author's purpose in writing the book.159
6341160924tonethe writer's attitude or feeling about his or her subject.160
6341160925tragedya dramatic work that presents the downfall of a dignified character or characters who are involved in historically or socially significant events. The events in a tragic plot are set in motion by a decision that is often an error in judgment. Succeeding events inevitably lead to a disastrous conclusion, usually death.161
6341160926understatementa statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said; the opposite of hyperbole. Usually for a humorous effect162
6341160927urban legenda contemporary story that is told in many rumored versions that have little basis in fact.163
6341160928voicean author or narrator's distinctive style or manner of expression. can reveal much about the author or narrator's personality.164
6341252798facta statement that can be proved165
6341255236opiniona statement that reflects the writer's or speaker's belief, but which cannot be supported by proof or evidence.166
6341307951descriptive essaydescribes a particular subject167
6341309325formal essayhighly organized and thoroughly researched.168
6341307952humorous essaypurpose is to amuse or entertain the reader.169
6341312048informal essaylighter in tone and usually reflects the writer's feelings and personality.170
6341313836narrative essayan essay that tells a story.171
6341315213persuasive essayattempts to convince a reader to adopt a particular option or course of action.172
6356260546Number of feet per lineThe meter of a poem is determined by the predominant metrical foot, and by the number of feet per line that predominates in the poem. The following terms indicate the number of feet per line: · monometer: one foot per line · dimeter: two feet per line · trimeter: three feet per line · tetrameter: four feet per line · pentameter: five feet per line · hexameter: six feet per line · heptameter: seven feet per line · octameter: eight feet per line A poem written in predominantly iambic meter, with five feet per line, would be called "iambic pentameter." One written in primarily trochaic meter, with four feet per line, would be "trochaic tetrameter." One written in anapestic meter, with three feet per line, would be "anapestic trimeter."173
6356275833morala lesson that a story teaches. A moral is often stated directly at the end of a fable.174
6356294194Narrative poetrypoetry that tells a story. A narrative poem can come in many forms and styles, both complex and simple, short or long, as long as it tells a story. Like fiction, narrative poetry contains characters, settings and plots.175
6356294195narratorone who tells a story; the speaker or the "voice" of an oral or written work. The narrator is not usually the same person as the author. The narrator is the direct window into a piece of work. Who the author chooses to narrate establishes the point of view in the story.176
6356295729Unreliable narratorone who gives his or her own understanding of a story, instead of the explanation and interpretation the author wishes the audience to obtain. This type of action tends to alter the audience's opinion of the conclusion.177
6372396225first person point of viewthe person telling the story is one of the characters in the story. It is the "I" point of view. It is the most limited among the types because the narrator can only state what he or she sees, feels, and hears. He or she cannot go into the minds of the other characters.178
6372398920second person point of viewrefers to the use of "you" in explanations or arguments. It is not frequently used, but is appropriate in certain circumstances. Most second person points of view occur within instructions that are meant to be followed.179
6372401367third person limited or third person objectivethe person telling the story is not one of the characters in the story. He or she is an outside observer. The reader can only know what one character learns through interaction with other characters or through overheard conversations. The narrator cannot supply the thoughts or feelings of other characters in the story.180
6372401368third person omniscientthe narrator is not a character in the story, but the events in the story are seen through the eyes of more than one of the characters. The narrator is considered to be "all knowing" and cannot only see and hear everything that is happening to all characters in the story, but can also enter their minds and tell the reader what each is thinking and feeling. This is the least limited point of view because the narrator has knowledge of all the characters.181
6372439998end or terminal rhymeswords that rhyme at the end of a verse-line.182
6372439999eye rhymeswords that when written appear to rhyme, but when spoken do not (ex: dog/fog, cough/enough/bough, etc).183
6372441549internal rhymerhyme found within a line of poetry (alliteration, assonance, and consonance).184
6372441550slant rhyme (slänt rime)also known as near rhyme, half rhyme, off rhyme, imperfect rhyme, oblique rhyme, or pararhyme. A distinctive system or pattern of metrical structure and verse composition in which two words have only their final consonant sounds and no preceding vowel or consonant sounds in common. Instead of perfect or identical sounds or rhyme, it is the repetition of near or similar sounds or the pairing of accented and unaccented sounds that if both were accented would be perfect rhymes (stopped and wept, parable and shell). Alliteration, assonance, and consonance are accepted as slant rhyme due to their usage of sound combinations (spilled and spoiled, chitter and chatter).185
6372448696rhyme schemethe pattern of end rhyme used in a poem, generally indicated by matching lowercase letters to show which lines rhyme. The letter "a" notes the first line, and all other lines rhyming with the first line. The first line that does not rhyme with the first, or "a" line, and all others that rhyme with this line, is noted by the letter "b", and so on. The rhyme scheme may follow a fixed pattern (as in a sonnet) or may be arranged freely according to the poet's requirements.186
6372459780science fictionprose writing in which a writer explores unexpected possibilities of the past or the future by using scientific data and theories as well as his or her imagination.187
6372464330secondary sourcepresents information compiled from or based on other sources.188
6372479961Italian/ Petrarchan sonnetusually written in iambic pentameter. It consists first of an octave, or eight lines, which asks a question or states a problem or proposition and follows the rhyme scheme a-b-b-a, a-b-b-a. The sestet, or last six lines, offers an answer, or a resolution to the proposed problem, and follows the rhyme scheme c-d-e-c-d-e.189
6372481747English/ Shakespearean sonnetthe octave and sestet were replaced by three quatrains, each having its own independent rhyme scheme typically rhyming every other line, and ending with a rhyme couplet. Instead of the Italianic break between the octave and the sestet, the break comes between the twelfth and thirteenth lines. The ending couplet is often the main thought change of the poem, and has an epigrammatic ending. It follows the rhyme scheme a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g.190
6372504525speecha talk given in public.191
6372527520triplet or tercet3 line stanza192
6372529181quatrain4 line stanza193
6372530772cinquain or quintet5 line stanza194
6372530773sestet or sextet6 line stanza195
6372544470septet7 line stanza196
6372544471octave8 line stanza197
6372601833IMPRESSIONISMa nineteenth-century movement in literature and art which advocated a recording of the artist's personal impressions of the world, rather than a strict representation of reality.198
6372603307MODERNISMa term for the bold new experimental styles and forms that swept the arts during the first third of the twentieth century.199
6372605303NATURALISMa nineteenth century literary movement that was an extension of realism and that claimed to portray life exactly as it was.200
6372606971PLAIN STYLEWriting style that stresses simplicity and clarity of expression (but will still utilize allusions and metaphors), and was the main form of the Puritan writers.201
6372609146PURITANISMWriting style of America's early English-speaking colonists. emphasizes obedience to God and consists mainly of journals, sermons, and poems.202
6372611880RATIONALISMa movement that began in Europe in the seventeenth century, which held that we can arrive at truth by using our reason rather than relying on the authority of the past, on the authority of the Church, or an institution.203
6372626977NEOCLASSICISM AND AGE OF REASON REALISMa style of writing, developed in the nineteenth century, that attempts to depict life accurately without idealizing or romanticizing it.204
6372629698REGIONALISMliterature that emphasizes a specific geographic setting and that reproduces the speech, behavior, and attitudes of the people who live in that region.205
6372631998ROMANTICISMa revolt against Rationalism that affected literature and the other arts, beginning in the late eighteenth century and remaining strong throughout most of the nineteenth century.206
6372633689SURREALISMin movement in art and literature that started in Europe during the 1920s. Surrealists wanted to replace conventional realism with the full expression of the unconscious mind, which they considered to be more real than the "real" world of appearances.207
6372636329SYMBOLISMa literary movement that originated in late nineteenth century France, in which writers rearranged the world of appearances in order to reveal a more truthful version of reality.208
6372638040TRANSCENDENTALISMa nineteenth century movement in the Romantic tradition , which held that every individual can reach ultimate truths through spiritual intuition, which transcends reasons and sensory experience.209
6372640536TIME LINEPuritanism 1620 - 1770s Neoclassic 1770s - early 1800s Romanticism early 1800s - 1870s Realism 1850s -early 1900s Regionalism 1884 - early 1900s Naturalism - late 1800s - mid 1900s Modernism - 1920s - [1945] Post-Modernism - 1945 - present210

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