AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
13645780364Spatial Geography0
13645780365Physical Geography1
13645780366Human Geography2
13645780367Absolute Location3
13645780368Latitude4
13645780369Equator5
13645780370Longitude6
13645780371Prime Meridian7
13645780372International Date Line8
13645780373Relative Location9
13645780374Connectivity10
13645780375Accessibility11
13645780376Ghost Towns12
13645780377Place13
13645780378Region14
13645780379Site15
13645780380Situation16
13645780381Sense of Place17
13645780382Toponyms18
13645780383Distance19
13645780384Proximity20
13645780385Time-space Compression21
13645780386Spatial Interaction22
13645780387Friction of Distance23
13645780388Distance Decay24
13645780389Spatial Association25
13645780390Density26
13645780391Distribution27
13645780392Human-environment Interaction28
13645780393Cultural Ecology29
13645780394Environmental Detrrminism30
13645780395Possibilism31
13645780396Landscape Analysis32
13645780397Field Observation33
13645780398Spatial Data34
13645780399Aerial Photography35
13645780400Built Environment36
13645780401Cultural Landscape37
13645780402Patterns38
13645780403Processes39
13645780404Scale40
13645780405Cartographic Scale41
13645780406Geographic Scale42
13645780407Relative Scale43
13645780408Scale of Data44
13645780409Reference Maps45
13645780410Political Maps46
13645780411Physical Maps47
13645780412Road Maps48
13645780413Plat Maps49
13645780414Locator Maps50
13645780415Thematic Map51
13645780416Chloropleth Map52

ap Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
13568456761dissensiondisagreement that leads to discord0
13568456762parsimony(noun) extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily; extreme stinginess1
13568458391charlatana person falsely claiming to have specific knowledge or skills2
13568459803dotardan old person, especially one who has become physically weak or whose mental faculties have declined3
13568460096precociouscharacterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity4
13568460136extraditeto hand over to the authorities of a foreign country, usually where the crime was committed5
13568461430lethargyweakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy6
13568461431fathomto understand something after deep thought7
13568462103enthrallto capture the fascinated attention of8
13568462104viablecapable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are9
13568472763ruinouscausing harm to, or destruction of10
13568473691attenuateto become weaker in strength, value, or magnitude11
13568473692modulationthe act of modifying or adjusting according to due measure and proportion12
13568474342ignominypublic shame or disgrace13
13568474343discomfiturea feeling of unease or embarrassment; awkwardness14
13568475351cloistera covered stone passage along the sides of a courtyard/to seclude or shut up in a convent/monastery15
13568475352stentorian- very loud or powerful in sound16
13568476178musinga period of reflection or thought17
13568477112Dominionterritory that a single ruler controls18
13568477884Individiouslikely to cause unhappiness or be unpleasant, especially because it is unfair19
13568908684loquaciousfull of trivial conversation; overly talkative20
13568908685magnanimitythe state of being able to bear trouble calmly, to disdain meanness and pettiness, and to display a noble generosity21
13568909529vigilantcarefully observant/attentive; on the lookout for possible danger22
13568909530deliquesce- to melt away in the process of decay23
13568910047versatileable to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities24
13568910636recurrentoccurring often or repeatedly25
13568911064detractorone who disparages or belittles the worth of something26
13568911065cohorta group of people with shared characteristics27
13568913161pugnacious- ready and able to resort to force or violence28
13568913162myopiclacking foresight or scope29

ap Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
13655883239drive-reduction theorythe idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need0
13655884797HomeostasisA tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level1
13655887713incentivea positive or negative environmental stimulus that motivates behavior2
13655889308optimum level of arousallevel of arousal at which an individual's performance on a specific task is most efficient3
13655892332lateral hypothalamusThe part of the hypothalamus that produces hunger signals, needs more gluclose4
13655899308ventromedial hypothalamusThe part of the hypothalamus that produces feelings of fullness as opposed to hunger, and causes one to stop eating.5
13655905097Yerkes-Dodson LawThe theory that a degree of psychological arousal helps performance, but only to a point.6
13655918178Orexinhunger-triggering hormone secreted by hypothalamus7
13655922923GhrelinA hunger-arousing hormone secreted by an empty stomach8
13655925639Leptinfat cells, reduces reward of food9
13655929657Obestatinsister hormone to ghrelin; sends out a fullness signal that suppresses hunger10
13655933154PYYdigestive tract hormone; sends "I'm not hungry" signals to the brain11
13655934905set pointthe point at which an individuals weight thermostat is supposedly set when the body falls below; hunger increases and lowered metabolic rate12
13655944488basal metabolic ratethe body's resting rate of energy expenditure13
13655948112neophobiafear of things unfamiliar14
13655956264anorexia nervosausually adolescent females, diets and becomes underweight yet percieves themselves as fat15
13655963957bulimia nervosabinging then purging16
13655966287binge eating disordersignificant binge-eating episodes, followed by distress, disgust, or guilt, but without the compensatory purging, fasting, or excessive exercise that marks bulimia nervosa17
13655972142phase- exitementfirst stage, genitals swell with blood, vagina releases lubricant18
13655975846plateauexcitement peaks, breathing and heart rate increases, second stage19
13655998728orgasmpenis releases sperm, rapid contracting20
13656001265resolution4th stage, gradual return to normal stage21
13656007051refractory perioda resting period after orgasm, during which a man cannot achieve another orgasm. 3 mins to 3 days22
13656012941Estrogenssex hormones, such as estradiol, secreted in greater amounts by females than by males and contributing to female sex characteristics. In nonhuman female mammals, estrogen levels peak during ovulation, promoting sexual receptivity23
13656012942TestosteroneMale sex hormone24
13656018115sexual orientationan enduring sexual attraction toward members of either one's own sex (homosexual orientation) or the other sex (heterosexual orientation)25

AP World History - Geography Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
14024823527Nile River0
14024823528Indus River1
14024823529Huang He2
14024823530Tigris River3
14024823531Euphrates River4
14024823532Amazon River5
14024823533Atlantic Ocean6
14024823534Pacific Ocean7
14024823535Indian Ocean8
14024823536Mediterranean Sea9
14024823537Black Sea10
14024823538Red Sea11
14024823539Caspian Sea12
14024823540Arabian Sea13
14024823541Himalayas14
14024823542Alps15
14024823543Caucasus Mountains16
14024823544Ural Mountains17
14024823545Andes18
14024823546Hindu-Kush19
14024823547Gobi Desert20
14024823548Sahara Desert21
14024823549Kalahari Desert22
14024823550Arabian Peninsula23
14024823551Korean Peninsula24
14024823552Caribbean25
14024823553Middle East26
14024823554South Asia27
14024823555Southeast Asia28
14024823556Indonesia29
14024823557Philippines30
14024823558Japan31
14024823559Canton32
14024823560Baghdad33
14024823561Batavia34
14024823562Mecca35
14024823563Malacca (Melaka)36
14024823564Constantinople/Istanbul37
14024823565Cordoba38
14024823566Jerusalem39
14024823567Tenochtitlan40
14024823568Timbuktu41
14024823569Beijing42
14024823570Kilwa43
14024823571Calcutta44
14024823572Jenne45
14024823573Moscow46
14024823574South China Sea47
14024823575Strait of Gibraltar48
14024823576Bering Sea49
14024823577Sea of Japan50
14024823578Bosporus51
14024823579Persian Gulf52
14024823580Niger River53
14024823581Tiber River54
14024823582Ganges River55
14024823583Yangtze River56
14024823584Pyrenees Mountains57
14024823585Indian Subcontinent58
14024823586Swahili Coast59
14024823592Sub-Saharan AfricaPortion of the African continent lying south of the Sahara.60
14024823587Iberian Peninsula61
14024823588Sumatra62
14024823589Malaysian Peninsula63
14024823590Crimean Peninsula64
14024823593AnatoliaA large peninsula at the western edge of Asia; also called Asia Minor65
14024823591Central Asia Steppes66

AP Literature: Vocabulary List 1 Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
14654322014abashed (adj.)embarrassed, ashamed (connotation: shy)0
14654383704tenacious (adj.)inclined to hold fast (abstract usage)1
14654384753ennui (n.)boredom2
14654386682pungent (adj.)sharp in smell/taste (connotation: negative)3
14654389077castigate (v.)to punish4
14654397212sagacious (v.)wise5
14654398134corpulent (adj.)fat6
14654401808maladroit (adj.)unskillful, clumsy7
14654403983cadaver (n.)corpse (connotation: medical)8
14654406962dastardly (adj.)cowardly (connotation: evil)9
14654409943prevaricate (v.)to lie (connotation: by omission)10
14654416718lagniappe (n.)something extra11
14654418789sinecure (n.)a job that brings a salary or reward without requiring work; a job in name only12
14654432621internecine (adj.)causing many deaths on all sides of a conflict13
14654433997precocious (adj.)showing exceptionally advanced mental development14

AP World History Traditions and Encounters Chapter 8 Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
10949783778Ban ZhaoA renowned female historian and scholar of the Han dynasty, and author of the Book of Han0
10949783779ConfucianismPhilosophical "religion", based on the teachings of the Chinese philosopher King Fuzi (551-479 BCE), or Confucius, that emphasizes order, the role of the gentleman, obligation to society, and reciprocity;1
10949783780DaodejingBook that is the fundamental work of Daoism;2
10949783781DaoismChinese philosophy with origins in the Zhou dynasty. It associated with legendary philosopher Laozi, and it called for a policy of non competition;3
10949783782EunuchsCastrated males, originally in charge of the harem, who grew to play major roles in government;4
10949783783Han DynastyOne of the longest and most influential dynasties, lasting over 400 years (206 BCE-220 CE) ;5
10949783784Han Feizi(ca. 390-338 BCE) Legalist theorist and advisor of the Qin court who wrote essays on statecraft and legalist views;6
10949783785Han WudiEnthusiastic emperor who ruled with the principles of administrative centralization and imperial expansion Ruled the Han dynasty for 54 years (141-87 BCE);7
10949783786JunziJunzi;8
10949783787Kong Fuzi(551-479 BCE) Original name of Confucius, Chinese philosopher and teacher of ethics;9
10949783788LaoziFounder of Daoism who lived during the sixth century BCE;10
10949783789LegalismChinese philosophy from the Zhou dynasty that called for harsh suppression of the common people;11
10949783790LiConfucian concept, a sense of propriety;12
10949783791Liu BangChinese ruler who restored centralised imperial rule to start the Han dynasty ;13
10949783792Mencius(372-289 BCE) Traveled throughout China during the period of the warring states to consult rulers about the confucian concept of ren;14
10949783793Modu(210-174 BCE) Highly successful leader of the Xiongnu peoples of the Central Asian steppes;15
10949783794Period of the Warring StatesLast centuries of the Zhou dynasty (403-221 BCE) where wars divided the region until the establishment of the Qin dynasty ended the disunity;16
10949783795QinChinese dynasty (221-207 BCE) that was founded by Qin Shihuangdi and was marked by the first unification of China and the early construction of defensive walls;17
10949783796Qin ShihuangdiFirst emperor of the Qin dynasty (221-207 BCE);18
10949783797RenConfucian concept of kindness and benevolence or a sense of humanity;19
10949783798SericultureThe cultivation of silkworms for the production of silk;20
10949783799Shang Yang(390-338 BCE) Minister to the Duke of Qin State in Western China, and important developer of the political philosophy of Legalism.21
10949783800Sima QianA historian from the early Han dynasty;22
10949783801Terracotta ArmyThousands of statues made for Qin Shihuangdi's burial23
10949783802XiaoConfucian concept of respect for one's parents and ancestors;24
10949783803XianyangCapital city of the Qin empire;25
10949783804XiongnuNomadic people, warriors killed Liu Bang in 200 BCE;26
10949783805Xunizi(298-238 BCE) Once a gov't admin, spread the confucian concept of li;27
10949783806Yellow Turban uprisingPeasant revolt in the later Han dynasty because of the unfair difference between rich and poor;28
10949783807ZhouFirst chinese dynasty ;29
10949783808Zhuangzi(369-286 BCE) Philosopher who provided a well-reasoned compendium (outline) of Daoist views;30

AP Composition and Literature Course Vocabulary Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
14446178869allegorysuggests a hidden meaning via the use of metaphoric examples; this is a device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract moral or political concept is conveyed with the aid of more material objects (characters, figures, or events) or ideas being used as an example0
14446193391allusiona brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance; a figure of speech whereby the author refers to a subject matter such as a place, event, or literary work by way of a passing reference1
14446209616anecdotea short and interesting story, or an amusing event, often proposed to support or demonstrate some point, and to make the audience laugh; the story is usually a reminiscence from the teller's life but at best is a related story of fact, as opposed to a contrived work of fiction2
14446228642archetypea typical character, an action, or a situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature; a reference to a concept, a person, or an object that has served as a prototype of its kind and is the original idea that has come to be used over and over again; also known as "universal symbol;" for example, Romeo and Juliet are an archetype of eternal love and a star-crossed love story3
14446240453antithesisa figure of speech involves the bringing out of a contrast in the ideas by an obvious contrast in the words, clauses, or sentences, within a parallel grammatical structure; refers to the juxtaposition of opposing or contrasting ideas or meanings4
14446260078artistic unitythat condition of a successful literary work whereby all its elements work together for the achievement of its central purpose; the single purpose that ties all elements of a work together5
14446267612atmospherethe feeling, emotion, or mood that an author creates in a narrative through descriptive language6
14446274464cacaphonythe use of words and phrases that imply strong, harsh sounds within the phrase; these words have jarring and dissonant sounds that create a disturbing, objectionable atmosphere (usually use of t, k, d, and g)7
14446281449euphonythe use of phrases and words that are noted for possessing an extensive degree of notable loveliness or melody in the sound they create; pleasant to listen to (usually use of m, n, l, and r)8
14446286688genrea type of art, literature, or music characterized by a specific form, content, and style; for example, literature has four main ones: poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction9
14446292978imageryto use figurative language to represent objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses10
14446301925juxtapositiona 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 contrasts11
14446313128metonymythe practice of not using the formal word for an object or subject and instead referring to it by another word that is intricately linked to the formal name or word; for example, it's common practice to refer to celebrity life and culture in the United States as "Hollywood," as in "Hollywood is obsessed with this new diet"12
14446320232mooda literary element that evokes certain feelings or vibes in readers through words and descriptions; a definitive stance the author adopts in shaping a specific emotional perspective towards the subject of the literary work; the mental and emotional disposition of the author towards the subject, which in turn lends a particular character or atmosphere to the work13
14528850005morala message conveyed by, or a lesson learned from, a story, a poem, or an event; it can be left for the audience to derive but this can be clearly stated in the shape of a proverb14
14528850793motifany element, subject, idea, or concept that is constantly present throughout the entire body of literature and has a symbolic significance15
14529050946prosea communicative style of language that has no metrical structure; it applies a natural flow of speech and ordinary grammatical structure; normal everyday speech is spoken in this, and most people think and write in this form16
14529065831synecdochea literary device that uses a part of something to refer to the whole or vice versa; for example, "all hands on deck" is a demand for all the crew, the "hands," to help.17
14529223087themea main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work, which may be stated directly or indirectly; the base that acts as the foundation for the entire literary piece; it can be an enduring pattern or motif throughout the literary work, occurring in a complex, long winding manner or it can be short and succinct and provide a certain insight into the story18
14529240690tonean attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience; this is generally conveyed through the choice of words, or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject; this can portray a variety of emotions and helps the reader ascertain the writer's feelings towards a particular topic and influences the reader's understanding of the story19
14529453369topicthe subject or theme of a discourse or of a section of a discourse; a matter dealt with in a text, discourse, or conversation20
14529453370settingthis is used to identify and establish the time, place, and mood of the events in the story; this provides the backdrop to the story and helps create mood; for example, in The Poisonwood Bible, it takes place in Congo, Africa during the late 50s and early 60s21
14530100515symbolan object or action that means something more than its literal meaning; this is a 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 translation alone22
14530101638verisimilitudethe likeness to the truth, such as the resemblance of a fictitious work to a real event; this tends to be based around the appearance or proximity to being real, or the truth; however, just because something can be described as having this does not mean that it is true, only that merely appears to or seems to be true23
14530163841versethis is used to refer to any single, long line of a poetry composition; a metrical writing line is known as this; the word can also refer to a stanza or any other part of the poetry24
14530172827voicethe individual style in which a certain author writes his or her works; authors are generally thought to have a unique one that appears across their entire oeuvre, even if they change from one genre to another25
14530182977zeugmause of two different words in a grammatically similar way that produces different, often incongruous, meanings; a figure of speech in which a word or phrase joins together two distinct parts of a sentence; for example, "she tossed her hair back and the salad;" the word "tossed" in this example has two functions in the sentence26
14534667531antagonistthis character presents an obstacle or is in direct conflict with the protagonist; in literature, this is a character, or a group of characters, which stands in opposition to the protagonist, which is usually the main character27
14534670330characterany person, animal, or figure represented in a literary work, and each one has its own development and function in the work28
14534684772characterizationthe step by step process wherein an author introduces and then describes a character; the character can be described directly by the author or indirectly through the actions, thoughts, and speech of the character29
14535007653deuteragonistthe secondary character, right behind the protagonist in importance; he/she may be on the protagonists side, he/she can be a villain, or he/she could also be a neutral character30
14535011756direct characterizationthe way an author or another character within the story directly describes or reveals a character, through the use of descriptive adjectives, epithets, or phrases31
14535011757dynamic charactersomeone who undergoes and important, internal chance because of the action in the plot, as a change in personality or attitude; for example, Leah in The Poisonwood Bible, is a dynamic character because she goes through the change of disobeying her father and finding her true faith, not in God, but in Anatole32
14535084746flat charactera type of character that does not change too much from the start of the narrative to its end; for example, Rachel in The Poisonwood Bible is seen as a flat character because she remains her narcissistic self throughout the whole book33
14535084747foilanother character in a story who contrasts with the main character, usually to highlight one of their attributes; this may also be used for any comparison that is drawn to portray a difference in two things34
14535149002heroas a literary device, this can be defined as the principal character of a literary work; the term is also used in a specialized sense for any figure celebrated in ancient legends or in such early heroic epics as Gilgamesh, the Iliad, Beowulf, or La Chanson de Roland35
14535149003hubrisextreme pride and arrogance shown by a character, which ultimately brings about his/her downfall; you can tell the difference between this and just regular arrogance or pride by the fact that the character has seemed to allow reality slip away from them36
14535213214indirect characterizationthe process of describing a character through the character's thoughts, actions, speech, and dialogue37
14535213215protagonistthe central/main character or leading figure in poetry, narrative, novel, etc.38
14535270033round charactera character with a complex personality; they have depth in feelings and passions; similarly, this character has many layers of personality; it is the character with whom the audience can sympathize, associate with, or relate to, as he seems a character they might have seen in their real lives39
14535270034stock charactera stereotypical character in literary work from which he/her is immediately known from typical recurring characters in history40
14535270035tragic flawa trait in a character leading to his/her downfall, and the character is often the hero of the literary piece; this trait could be the lack of self-knowledge, lack of judgment, and often it is hubris41
14535462684asidea short comment or speech that a character delivers directly to the audience, or to herself/himself, which other actors on the stage appear not to hear42
14535462685colloquialwords common in everyday speech; may be dependent on region/dialect; ex. pop, soda, etc.; the use of everyday language or informal words, phrases, or even slang in a piece of writing43
14539624255dialoguewhen writers employ two or more characters to be engaged in conversation with one another; in literature, it is a conversational passage, or a spoken or written exchange of conversation in a group44
14539624256dialectlanguage used by the people of a specific area, class, district, or any other group of people; it involves the spelling, sounds, grammar and pronunciation used by a particular group of people and it distinguishes them from other people around them; it is also a very powerful and common way of characterization, which elaborates the geographic and social background of any character45
14539901290dictionthe choice of words and style of expression that an author makes and uses in a work of literature; it can have a great effect on the tone of a piece of literature, and how readers perceive the characters; it is not just a writer's choice of words; it can include mood, attitude, dialect, and style of writing46
14539901291euphemismusing a comparatively milder form of a negative description instead of its original, unsympathetic form; this device is used when writing about matters such as sex, violence, death, crimes, and things "embarrassing;" the purpose of this is to substitute unpleasant and severe words with more gentle ones in order to mask the harshness; for example, someone passed away is a euphemism for someone died47
14540025462figure of speecha phrase or word having different meanings than its literal meaning; it conveys meaning by identifying or comparing one thing to another, which has connotation or meaning familiar to the audience; often it uses comparisons to describe something (simile, metaphor, personification, etc.)48
14540025550invectivethis denotes speech or writing that attacks, insults, or denounces a person, topic, or institution; it involves the use of abusive and negative language; it is insulting language used to express blame or severe disapproval; this often occurs due to deeply seated ill will49
14540177127monologuea speech that one character delivers aloud to express his or her inner thoughts; characters generally present these either to another character or to the audience in the understanding that other characters are able to hear them50
14540178324overstatementan act of stating something more profoundly than it actually is, in order to make the point more serious, or important, or beautiful, etc.; this is hyperbole, where the statement is exaggerated; for example, "you gave me a heart attack"51
14544873369proverba brief, simple, and popular saying, or a phrase that gives advice and effectively embodies a commonplace truth based on practical experience or common sense; for example, "time is the best medicine"52
14544876227puna very popular literary device wherein a word is used in a manner to suggest two or more possible meanings; this is generally done to the effect of creating humor or irony or wryness; for example, "make like a tree and leave"53
14544956202sarcasma literary and rhetorical device that is meant to mock, often with satirical or ironic remarks, with a purpose to amuse and hurt someone, or some section of society, simultaneously; it can be quite harsh and biting, or it can be said in teasing jest54
14544957406soliloquya speech that a character makes in a work of drama only to him or herself; this is presented for the audience to understand the character's inner thoughts and feelings as though they were not being spoken at all; generally, no other characters hear this55
14545146290slangwords that are non-standard in a given language and is generally spoken to show inclusion in a certain social group; for example, lit, snatched, fried56
14545146291understatementa figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is; it is the opposite of hyperbole; for example, it's fine.57
14545264360apostrophea writer or speaker, using this, speaks directly to someone who is not present or is dead, or speaks to an inanimate object; for example, "ugh, phone, why aren't you working?"58
14545264361conceita figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors; this develops a comparison which is exceedingly unlikely but is, nonetheless, intellectually imaginative; for example, "the broken heart is a damaged china pot"59
14545850916extended metaphora comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph, or lines in a poem60
14545851649hyperbolean exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis; for example, "it's been ages since I've seen you"61
14577571266metaphorrefers to a meaning or identity ascribed to one subject by way of another; in other words, a resemblance of two contradictory or different objects is made based on a single or some common characteristics; for example, "the assignment was a breeze"62
14577580547personificationthe practice of attaching human traits and characteristics with inanimate objects, phenomena and animals; for example, "the fire swallowed the whole forest"63
14577580548oxymorona significant 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; for example, "he possessed cold fire in his eyes."64
14577580549similethe practice of drawing parallels or comparisons between two unrelated and different things, people, beings, places and concepts using "like" or "as;" for example, "he was about as fast as a cheetah"65
14577601040climaxthe particular point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point; also known as the "turning point" of the story66
14577603857conflictin literature, this is a literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces; it is the result of competing desires or the presence of obstacles that need to be overcome67
14577603858expositiona narrative device, often used at the beginning of a work that provides necessary background information about the characters and their circumstances68
14577604268denouementthis occurs just after the climax and is the final moment in which there is resolution for any remaining conflicts in the plot; an outcome or solution69
14577604269falling actionthis occurs right after the climax, when the main problem of the story resolves; this wraps up the narrative, resolves its loose ends, and leads toward the closure70
14577604729rising actiona series of relevant incidents that create suspense, interest, and tension in a narrative; in literary works, this includes all decisions, characters' flaws, and background circumstances that together create turns and twists leading to a climax71
14577662875dramatic ironyirony that occurs in a piece of literature when the audience knows something that some characters in the narrative do not72
14577666249ironythe use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; a contrast between expectation and reality73
14577666250situational ironyirony that occurs when incongruity appears between expectations of something to happen, and what actually happens instead; the outcome was very different of opposite of what was expected74
14577666251verbal ironyirony in which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning75
14577711651epistolary novela novel written as a series of documents; a literary genre pertaining to letters, in which writers use letters, journals, and diary entries in their works, or they tell their stories or deliver messages through a series of letters76
14577712695first person POVthe point of view involving the use of either of the two pronouns "I" or "we;" this is the narrator who is usually the protagonist of the story, and this point of view allows the reader access to the narrator's inner thoughts and reactions to the events occurring77
14577714251flashbackinterruptions that writers do to insert past events, in order to provide background or context to the current events of a narrative; by using these, writers allow their readers to gain insight into a character's motivations, and provide a background to a current conflict78
14577714252flashforwarda literary device in which the plot goes ahead of time; meaning a scene that interrupts and takes the narrative forward in time from the current time in the story; generally, this represents expected or imagined events in the future, interjected into the main plot, revealing important information to the story that has yet to be brought to light79
14577715640in medias resa type of nonlinear structure; narrating a story from the middle after supposing that the audiences are aware of past events; for example, the book In the Woods by Tana French uses this when going back to figure out who murdered the little girl80
14577719780limited omniscient POVthe author tells the story, using the third person, but is limited to a complete knowledge of one character in the story and tells us only what that one character thinks, feels, sees, or hears81
14577719781linear structurestories told using this narrative structure will have a clear beginning, middle and end; these present stories in a logical manner by telling what happens from one point in time to the next without using flashbacks or flash-forwards and then returning to the present82
14577720469objective POVwith this type of point of view, the writer tells what happens without stating more than can be inferred from the story's action and dialogue; the narrator never discloses anything about what the characters think or feel, remaining a detached observer83
14577720470omniscient POVthis point of view uses pronouns like "he," "she," etc.; this POV allows the author to delve into the thoughts of any character, making the narrator seem godlike84
14577721333narratorthe one who tells a story; in a work of fiction, they determine the story's point of view85
14577721334nonlinear structurewhen the plot is presented in a non-causal order, with events presented in a random series jumping to and from the main plot with flashbacks or flashforwards, or in any other manner that is not chronological; for example, in medias res86
14577723128point of view (POV)the perspective from which a story is narrated; simply put, this determines the angle and perception of the story unfolding, and thus influences the tone in which the story takes place87
14577723129stream of consciousnessa literary technique that presents the thoughts and feelings of a character as they occur; refers to an uninterrupted and unhindered collection and occurrence of thoughts and ideas in the conscious mind88
14577723817unreliable narratora narrator whose account of events appears to be faulty, misleadingly biased, or otherwise distorted and therefore has a lack of credibility; for example, Nick is an unreliable narrator in The Great Gatsby89
14577920479anticlimaxa conclusion that is unsatisfying because is does not meet the expectations that the narrative has been building toward90
14577920480catastrophea final resolution that unravels the mystery or intrigue, and brings the story toward a logical end; in a tragedy, it could be the death of a protagonist or other character; this is a synonym of denouement91
14580788335comic reliefcomic episodes in a dramatic or literary work that offset more serious sections; it is deliberately inserted to make the audiences feel relief92
14580788336dilemmaa rhetorical device in which a conflicting situation arises for a person to choose between right and wrong, where both seem of equal worth93
14580935833deus ex machinait refers to the incidence where an implausible concept or character is brought into the story in order to make the conflict in the story resolve and to bring about a pleasing solution94
14580936733indeterminate endingan ending in which the central conflict is left unsolved; no definite conclusion is reached95
14581181937inversionchanging the conventional placement of words, in order to achieve a particular effect of emphasis; for example, what a beautiful picture it is or where in the world were you96
14581181938motivationin literature, this is defined as a reason behind a character's specific action or behavior; this type of behavior is characterized by the character's own consent and willingness to do something; a character's incentive or reason for behaving in a certain manner97
14594662700mysterya genre of literature whose stories focus on a puzzling crime, situation, or circumstance that needs to be solved; for example, the Nancy Drew series is this genre98
14594664059paradoxthe use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels; this is the juxtaposition of a set of seemingly contradictory concepts that reveal a hidden and/or unexpected truth; for example, wise fool99
14594688216parallel plota secondary storyline that mimics and reinforces the main plot; a story structure in which the writer includes two or more separate narratives linked by a common character, event, or theme100
14594706166plotthe events that make up a story, or the main part of a story; these events relate to each other in a pattern or a sequence; the structure of a novel depends on the organization of events of this101
14594712424plot manipulationa situation in which an author gives the plot a twist or turn unjustified by preceding action or by the characters involved102
14594712993plot devicean object, a character, or a concept introduced into the story by the author to advance its plot; often breaks suspension of disbelief; for example, the cross cutting montage at the end of The Godfather103
14594712994prologuean introduction to a story that usually sets the tone for the story and acts as a bit of a backgrounder or a "sneak peek" into the story; these are typically a narrative 'spoken' by one of the characters and not from the part of the author104
14594712995red herringa kind of fallacy that is an irrelevant topic introduced into an argument to divert the attention of listeners or readers from the original issue; in literature, this fallacy is often used in detective or suspense novels to mislead readers or characters, or to induce them to make false conclusions; for example, in the book In the Woods by Tana French the lead on Damien, which took the attention away from Rosalind, was using this technique105
14594713703scenea division of an act in a play during which the action takes place in a single place without a break in time; it also means a part of a play, movie, story, etc., in which a particular action or activity occurs106
14594713704suspensea feeling of anticipation that something risky or dangerous is about to happen that an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events; it basically leaves the reader holding their breath and wanting more information; it is a literary device that authors use to keep their readers' interest alive throughout the work107
14594714322suspension of disbeliefwhen the reader or viewer does not allow common sense or previous knowledge to keep them from believing events in the story; it is a willingness to suspend one's critical faculties and believe the unbelievable; for example, The Wizard of Oz has the readers in this phenomenon in the main character going to another world after a tornado108
14594714323subplota supporting story for the main plot in a work of literature; it can involve characters other than the main protagonist and antagonist, and may not intersect much with the main narrative; however, there is usually some important connection between this and the main plot, either thematically, in setting, through characters, or because the action in this affects some aspect of the main plot109
14594717469comedya literary genre and a type of dramatic work that is amusing and satirical in its tone, mostly having a cheerful ending110
14594717470escapist literaturefiction that provides a psychological escape from depressing and grave realities of every day by immersing the readers in a fantastical or imaginative situations and events; the main aim of this is providing literature that is written purely for entertainment, with little or no attempt to provide insights into the true nature of human life or behavior111
14594717477fablea literary device that can be defined as a concise and brief story intended to provide a moral lesson at the end; this is a short piece of fiction that features animals in the role of the protagonist and usually includes or illustrates a moral; for example, the tortoise and the hare112
14594718249fantasya form of literary genre in which a plot cannot occur in the real world; its plot usually involves witchcraft or magic, taking place on an undiscovered planet of an unknown world; for example, the Harry Potter series113
14594718250homilya sermon or speech that a religious person or priest delivers before a group of people to offer them moral correction; more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice114
14594718855magical realisman approach to literature that weaves fantasy and myth into everyday life; a genre of fiction in which elements of fantasy, myth, or the supernatural are included in a narrative that is otherwise objective and realistic115
14594718856mytha story that comes from an ancient culture and often includes supernatural elements; they are legendary or traditional stories that usually concerns an event or a hero, with or without using factual or real explanations; these traditionally were created to explain the origins of the world or of belief systems, practices, or natural occurrences in the location of that culture; an example of this is the story of Icarus116
14594718857novelthis is a long narrative work of fiction with some realism; it is often in prose form and is published as a single book; an example of this is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley117
14594718959novellaa type of prose fiction, which is shorter than full length novels and longer than short stories; it is a well-structured yet short narrative; often satiric or realistic in tone; it usually focuses on one incident, or issue with one or two main characters and takes place at a single location118
14594719430parablea short, didactic story that is meant to teach a moral or principal; these use human characters in believable situations so that the reader or listener feels able to relate; you often have heard stories from your elders, such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf119
14594719431satirea technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society, by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule120

Pages

Subscribe to CourseNotes RSS

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!