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AP Literature Flashcards

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9861816714AntecedentExisted before or logically prededes another0
9861816715EphemeralLasting a very short time1
9861816716PensiveIn deep or serious thought2
9861816717laudatoryexpressing praise and commendation3
9861816718indignantfeeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment4
9861816719condescendingpossessing an attitude of superiority, patronizing5
9861816720HyperboleClaims not meant to be taken literally6
9861816721alliteration (n)repetition of beginning sound in poetry7
9861816722parallel structurethe repetition of phrases, clauses, or sentences that have the same grammatical structure8
9861816723ElegyPoem of serious reflection9
9861816724shakesperean sonnet14 lines, 3 sets of 4 lines and a 2 line couplet10
9861816725Sestinaa poem with six stanzas of six lines and a final triplet11
9861816726SeerA fortune teller and predict future12

AP Literature Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
10782183904AllegoryStory or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities.0
10782183905Alliterationrepetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together1
10782183906Allusiona reference to someone or something that is known from history, literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or some other branch of culture. An indirect reference to something.2
10782183907amiguityDeliberately suggesting two or me e different, and sometimes conflicting, meanings in a work. An event or situation that may be interpreted in more than one way-this is done on purpose by the author, when it is not done on purpose, it is vagueness, and detracts from the work.3
10782183908AnalogyComparison made between two things to show how they are alike4
10782183909AnaphoraRepetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer's point more coherent.5
10800909865AnastropheInversion of the usual, normal, or logical order of the parts of a sentence. Purpose is rhythm or emphasis or euphony. It is a fancy word for inversion.6
10800909866AnecdoteBrief story, told to illustrate a point or serve as an example of something, often shows character of an individual7
10800909867AntagonistOpponent who struggles against or blocks the hero, or protagonist, in a story.8
10800909868Antimetabolerepetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order9
10800909869AntithesisBalancing words, phrases, or ideas that are strongly contrasted, often by means of grammatical structure10
10800909870AntiheroCentral character who lacks all the qualities traditionally associated for heroes. May lack courage, grace, intelligence, or moral scruples.11
10800909871Anthropomorphismattributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object (Personification)12
10800909872AphorismA brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life, or of a principle or accepted truth.13
10800909873Apostrophecalling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or to a place or thing, or a personified abstract idea14
10800909874AppositionPlacing in immediately succeeding order of two or more coordinate elements, the latter of which is an explanation, qualification, or modification of the first (often set off by a colon).15
10800909875AssonanceThe repetition of similar vowel sounds followed by different consonant sounds especially in words that are together.16
10800909876AsyndetonCommas used without conjunction to separate a series of words, thus emphasizing the parts equally.17
10800909877BalanceConstructing a sentence so that both halves are about the same length of importance. Sentences can be unbalanced to serve a special effect as well.18
10800909878CharacterizationThe process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.19
10800909879Indirect characterizationThe author reveals to the reader what the character is like by describing how the character looks and dresses, by hearing what the character says, revealing private thoughts and feelings, effect on other characters.20
10800909880Direct characterizationThe author tells us directly what character is like.21
10800909881Static characterIs one who does not change much in the course of a story.22
10800909882Dynamic characterOne who changes in some important way as result of story's action.23
10800909883Flat characterHas only one or two personality tests. One dimensional like a piece of cardboard. Summed up in one phrase.24
10800909884Round characterHas more dimensions to their personalities- they are complex25
10800909885ChiasmusIn poetry, a type of rhetorical balance in which the second part is syntactically balances against the first, but with the parts reversed.26
10800909886ClicheWord or phrase, often figure of speech, that has become lifeless because of overuse.27
10800909887ColloquialismWord or phrase in everyday use in conversation and informal writing but is inappropriate for formal situations.28
10800909888ComedyIn general, a story that ends with a happy resolution of the conflicts faced by the main character or characters.29
10800909889ConceitAn elaborate metaphor that compares two things that are startlingly different.30
10800909890Confessional poetryA 20th century term used to describe poetry that uses intimate material form the poets life.31
10800909891ConflictThe struggle between opposing forces or characters in a story. External: conflicts between two people, person and nature, etc. interval: conflict with self.32
10800909892ConnotationThe associations and emotional overtones that have become attached to a word or phrase, in addition to its strict dictionary definition.33
10800909893CoupletTwo consecutive rhyming lines of poetry.34
10800909894DialectA way of speaking that is characteristic of a certain social group or if the inhabitants of a certain geographical area.35
10800909895DictionSpeaker or writers choice of words36
10800909896DidacticForm of fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking37
10800909897ElegyA poem of mourning, usually about someone who has died.38
10800909898EpanalepsisDevice of repetition in which same rxpression repeated both at beginning and end of line, clause, or sentence.39
10800909899EpicLong, narrative poem, written in heightened language, which recounts the deeds of a heroic character who embodies the values of a particular society.40
10800909900EpigraphQuotation or aphorism at beginning of a literary work suggestive of the theme.41
10800909901Epistrophedevice of repetition in which the same expression is repeated at the end of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences42
10818343212Epithetan adjective or adjective phrase applied to a person or thing that is frequently used to emphasize a characteristic quality43
10818343213Essaya short piece of nonfiction prose in which the writer discusses some aspect of a subject44
10818343214Explicationact of interpreting or discovering the meaning of a text, usually involves close reading and special attention to figurative language.45
10818343215Fablea very short story told in prose or poetry that teaches a practical lesson about how to succeed in life.46
10818343216farcea type of comedy in which ridiculous and often stereotyped characters are involved in silly, far-fetched situations47
10818343217figurative languageWords which are inaccurate if interpreted literally, but are used to describe. Similes and metaphors are common forms.48
10818343218FlashbackA scene that interrupts the normal chronological sequence of events in a story to depict something that happened at an earlier time49
10818343219FoilA character who acts as contrast to another character. Often a funny side kick to the dashing hero, or a villain contrasting the hero.50
10818343220Foreshadowingthe use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot51
10818343221Free versePoetry that does not conform to a regular meter or rhyme scheme52
10818343222Hyperbolea figure of speech that uses an incredible exaggeration or overstatement for effect53
10818343223Hypotacticsentence marked by the use of connecting words between clauses or sentences, explicitly showing the logical or other relationships between them54
10818343224Imagerythe use of language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience55
10818343225Inversionthe reversal of the normal word order in a sentence or phrase56
10818343226Ironya discrepancy between appearances and reality57
10818343227verbal ironyoccurs when someone says one thing but really means something else58
10818343228situational ironytakes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen, or what would be appropriate to happen, and what really does happen.59
10818343229Dramatic ironyis so called because it is often used on stage. A character in the play or story thinks one thing is true, but the audience or reader knows better.60
10818343230Juxtapositionpoetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to one another, creating an effect of surprise and wit61
10818343231Litotesis a form of understatement in which the positive form is emphasized through the negation of a negative form: Hawthorne--- "...the wearers of petticoat and farthingale...stepping forth into the public ways, and wedging their not unsubstantial persons, if occasion were, into the throng..."62
10818343232Local colora term applied to fiction or poetry which tends to place special emphasis on a particular setting, including its customs, clothing, dialect and landscape.63
10818343233loose sentenceone in which the main clause comes first, followed by further dependent grammatical units64
10818343234lyric poema poem that does not tell a story but expresses the personal feelings or thoughts of a speaker65
10818343235Metaphora figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without the use of such specific words of comparison as like, as, than, or resembles66
10818343236implied metaphordoes not state explicitly the two terms of the comparison67
10818343237extended metaphoris a metaphor that is extended or developed as far as the writer wants to take it. (conceit if it is quite elaborate).68
10818343238dead metaphoris a metaphor that has been used so often that the comparison is no longer vivid: "The head of the house", "the seat of the government", "a knotty problem" are all dead metaphors.69
10818343239mixed metaphoris a metaphor that has gotten out of control and mixes its terms so that they are visually or imaginatively incompatible. "The President is a lame duck who is running out of gas."70
10818343240Metonymya figure of speech in which a person, place, or thing is referred to by something closely associated with it71
10818343241MoodAn atmosphere created by a writer's diction and the details selected.72
10818343242Motifa recurring image, word, phrase, action, idea, object, or situation used throughout a work (or in several works by one author), unifying the work by tying the current situation to previous ones, or new ideas to the theme73
10818343243Onomatopoeiathe use of words whose sounds echo their sense74
10818343244OxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.75
10818343245Parablea relatively short story that teaches a moral, or lesson about how to lead a good life.76
10818343246ParadoxA statement that appears to be self-contradictory, but that reveals a kind of truth77
10818343247Koanis a paradox used in Zen Buddhism to gain intuitive knowledge: "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"78
10818343248parallel structure(parallelism) the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures.79
10818343249Paratactic Sentencesimply juxtaposes clauses or sentences. I am tired: it is hot.80
10818343250Parodya work that makes fun of another work by imitating some aspect of the writer's style81
10818343251PeriodicSentence that places the main idea or central complete thought at the end of the sentence, after all introductory elements.82
10818343252PersonificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes83
10818343253Plotthe series of related events in a story or play, sometimes called the storyline.84
10818343254PolysyndetonSentence which uses conjunction with no commas to separate the items in a series.85
10818343255ProtagonistThe central character in a story, the one who initiated or drives the action. Usually hero or antihero.86
10818343256PunA "play on words" based on the multiple meanings of a single word or on words that sounds alike but mean different things.87
10818343257QuatrainA poem consisting of four lines, or four lines of a poem that can be considered as a unit.88
10818343258RefrainA word, phrase, line, or group of lines that is repeated, for effect, several times in a poem.89
10818343259RhythymA rise and fall of the voice produced by the alternation of stressed and unstressed syllables in language90
10818343260RhetoricArt of effective communication, especially persuasive discourse91
10818343261Rhetorical questionA question asked for an effect, and not actually requiring an answer.92
10818343262RomanceIn general, a story in which an idealized hero or heroine undertakes a quest and is successful93
10818343263SatireA type of writing that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about change.94
10818343264SimileA figure of speech that makes an explicitly comparison between two unalienable things using like, as, than, or resembles95
10818343265SoliloquyA long speech made by a character in a play while no other characters are on stage96
10818343266StereotypeA fixed idea or conception of a character or an idea which does not allow for any individuality, often based on religious, social, or racial prejudices97
10818343267Stream of consciousnessA style of writing that portrays the inner (often chaotic) workings of a characters mind.98
10818343268StyleThe distinctive way in which a writer uses language: writers distinctive use of fiction, tone, and syntax.99
10801287751SuspenseFeeling of uncertainty and curiosity about what will happen next in a story100
10801287752SymbolA person, place, thing, or event that has meaning in itself and that also stands for something more than itself.101
10818343269SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part represents the whole. "If you done drive properly, you will lose your wheels." Wheels represent entire car.102
10818343270Syntactic fluencyAbility to create a variety of sentence structures, appropriately complex and/or simple and varied in length103
10818343271Syntactic permutationSentence structures that are extraordinarily complex and involved. Often difficult for reader to follow.104
10818343272Tall taleAn outrageously exaggerated, humorous story that is obviously unbelievable.105
10818343273Telegraphic sentenceA sentence shorter than 5 words in length106
10818343274ThemeThe insight about human life that is revealed in literary work.107
10818343275ToneAttitude writer takes toward subject of work, characters in it, or audience, revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization.108
10818343276TragedyIn general, a story in which a heroic character either dies or comes to some other unhappy end109
10818343277TricolonSentence of three parts of equal important and length, usually 3 independent clauses110
10818343278UnderstatementA statement that says less than what is meant111
10818343279UnityUnified parts of the writing are related to one central idea or organizing principle. Unity is dependent upon coherence.112
10818343280VernacularThe language spoken by the people who live in a particular locality.113

AP Literature Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
10960110428AllegoryStory or Poem or Picture that can have a hidden meaning. EX: Political Cartoons0
10960115807AllusionExpression made to call something to the reader attention without being explicit. EX: Different areas cultural background may determine the areas names1
10960123499ApostropheWriter or Speaker backs away from reality and speaks on an imaginary character. EX: Oh, Time, has no will.2
10960131311ConnotationIdea or feeling that relates to another meaning besides its literal one. EX: Illegal3
10960144425DenotationLiterally what the word means. EX: Splash4
10960149945DictionAuthors choice of wording or phrases in their speech/writing. EX: A characters diction may determine their background.5
10960155378EuphemismIndirect word or expression that isn't to blunt but refers to something unpleasant. EX: Pushing Daises6
10960163663ForeshadowingWhen the author hints at an upcoming event or other in the story. EX: East of Eden hints a lot at Cathy murdering people7
10960169971HyperboleExaggerated claims not to be taken literally. EX: Grandparents as old as dirt8
10960174845ImageryUsage of figurative language to help the reader depict an object or scene in a story very well. EX: The counter tops were of polished granite and the lights dimmed very low.9
10960183959IronyFigure of speech where words are used in a way that they mean something else. EX: Silence speaks louder than words10
10960192569MetaphorFigure of speech which makes a hidden comparison between things very different from one another. EX: The papers stacked mountain high.11
10960198070MoodMaking readers feel a certain way through descriptions and words. EX: The people mindlessly grazed to their jobs with no feelings at all12
10960206120SimileFigure of speech that compares two things and shows similarities using the words 'like' or 'as'. EX: The shoes were as expensive as gold13
10960225080MetonymyFigure of speech that replaces names of things names of things like it. EX: The government worries over______.14
10960234560ParadoxStatement that may seem silly but has some truth to it. EX: This statement is false15
10960242595ParodyImitation of a specific writer, or artist, or genre, that exaggerates deliberately for comic like effect. EX: Many people parody music songs16
10960252155Point of ViewAngle at which things are considered by the individual/s in the story. EX: The Lord of the Rings is through Frodo's point of view.17
10960257882PersonificationFigure of speech where a thing is given human like qualities that isn't human. EX: The glass cried out when scratched18
10960267811OnomatopoeiaWord that sounds like it says. EX: POW, POP19
10960270934OxymoronFigure of speech that combines two opposite ideas and creates an effect. EX: Awfully good20
10960276932SatireTechnique used to expose or criticize foolishness or corruption. EX: Having an opinion does not make you right but if your loud enough it does.21
10960284875SymbolismUse of symbols to express certain things in a story. EX: Flags or banners in fantaasty/sc-fi shows or movies22
10960287508SynecdocheLiterary device where something represents the whole or whole for a part. EX: Dough, as in money23
10960291822ToneDevice used to establish authors attitude towards the subject and notify the audience of it. EX: Formal and Informal vocabulary24

AP Literature Vocab 1 Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
11430199826fecundproducing or capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertile0
11430213835idyllic(especially of a time or place) like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque1
11430219353austeresevere or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance. (of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries; harsh or ascetic.2
11430223238opulencegreat wealth or luxuriousness.3
11430223239obduratestubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.4
11430228139ampleenough or more than enough; plentiful.5
11430245551incongruousnot in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something.6
11430253673reprievecancel or postpone the punishment of (someone, especially someone condemned to death).7
11430259745acquiescencethe reluctant acceptance of something without protest.8
11430263453connoisseuran expert judge in matters of taste.9
11430266642premonitiona strong feeling that something is about to happen, especially something unpleasant.10
11430266643aptappropriate or suitable in the circumstances. having a tendency to do something. quick to learn.11
11430270535culminationthe highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time.12
11430270536incensedvery angry; enraged.13
11430280710ruminationa deep or considered thought about something.14

AP Literature - Unit 9 Flashcards

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10989170682avatar (N)(n.) an embodiment of a person;0
10989185120beatitude (N)a state of perfect happiness or blessedness1
10989194193bete noire (N)someone or something that one especially dislikes, dreads, or avoids2
10989210187bode (V)to be an omen of; to indicate by signs3
10989221636dank (adj)unpleasantly damp or wet4
10989231476ecumenical (adj)universal5
10989234688fervid (adj)burning with enthusiasm or zeal; extremely heated6
10989244640fetid (adj)smelling extremely unpleasant7
10989253238gargantuan (adj)of huge or extraordinary size and power8
10989257180heyday (N)the period of greatest power, success, or influence; the prime years9
10989273665incubus (N)a demon or evil spirit supposed to haunt human beings in their bedrooms at night; anything that oppresses or weighs upon one, like a nightmare10
10989289679infrastructure (N)the basic framework or foundation11
10989305813inveigle (V)to entice, lure, or snare by flattery12
10989323284kudos (N)praise for an achievement13
10989338467Lagniappe (N)an extra or unexpected gift or gratuity14
10989343594prolix (adj)long-winded and wordy15
10989349391protege (N)a person under the guidance or training of another16
10989365055sycophant (N)A person who flatters; a yes-man17
10989371678tautology (N)unnecessary repetition18
10989380650truckle (V)to yield or submit tamely19

AP Literature Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
10875178052Plotthe author's arrangement of incidents in a story0
10875188773Flashbackinforms us about events that happened before the opening scene of work1
10875200199CharacterAn imagined person in the story2
10875208972Expositionthe background information the reader needs to make sense of the situation3
10875223627Rising ActionA complication that intensifies the situation4
10875234008Foreshadowinga suggestion of what is yet to come5
10875242008Protagonist / Hero / Heroinethe central character who engages our interest and empathy6
10875246567Anatagonistthe force that opposes the protagonist7
10875262820Suspensewhen the reader is made anxious about what is going to happen8
10875270207Climaxthe moment of greatest emotional tension9
10875277838Denouement / ResolutionThe end of the story10
10875299434CharacterizationThe characters seem to actually exist11
10875330451Absurdist Literaturecharacters are often alienated from themselves and their environment in an irrational world12
10875334379Antiherohas little control over events13
10875342392Dynamic Characterundergoes some kind of change because of the action in the plot14
10875347996Static Characterthe plot does not change the character15
10875359521Foilreveals the distinctive qualities between two characters16
10875372637Flat Characterembodies one or two qualities , ideas, or traits.17
10875384418Stock Charactersembody a stereotype such as mean stepfather or dumb blonde18
10875392931Round CharacterHave more depth and are complex.19
10875407511Settingthe context in which the action of the story occurs.20
10875418939Point of viewwho tells us the story and how it is told21
10875422086Narratorthe teller of the story22
10875434525Omniscient (Third Person)the narrator takes us inside the characters.23
10875446853Limited Omniscient (Third Person)the narrator takes us inside one or two characters24
10875464226Objective (Third Person)the narrator is outside the characters.25
10875480081First Personpresents the point of view of only one characters consciousness26
10875493305Unreliable Narratortheir interpretation of events is different from the author's27
10875503925Symbola person, object, or event that suggests more than its literal meaning.28
10875522062Conventional Symbolswidely recognized by a society or culture29
10875531223Literary Symbolestablished internally by the total context of the work.30
10875553859AllegoryA story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.31
10875561182Themethe central idea or meaning of a story.32
10875568470Stylethe distinctive manner in which a writer arranges words to achieve particular effects33
10875584449Dictiona writer's choice of words34
10875593278Tonethe author's attitude toward the subject35
10875600641Verbal Ironya person says one thing and means another (sarcasm)36
10875609001Situational Ironyexists when there is an incongruity between what is expected to happen and what actually happens37
10875626012Dramatic Ironywhen a reader is aware of something that a character isn't38

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