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AP Literature Vocabulary #18 SAT Words Flashcards

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8891632732ameliorate (v)to make something better, particularly a bad situation or condition; to improve S: upgrade, modernize A: worsen, hinder0
8891642564banal (adj)overused or common S: trite, predictable, trivial A: original, unique1
8891645774inundate (v)to overwhelm as if being bombarded by a large quantity of water S: deluge, engulf A: underwhelm, moderate2
8891651036monomania (n)an obsession with a single thing or idea S: fad, preoccupation, frenzy A: indifference, apathetic3
8891659632nefarious (adj)exceedingly or undeniably evil S: degenerate, heinous A: honorable, respectable4
8891662411voluble (adj)easily and readily speaking; fluent S: articulate, loquacious A: dull, inarticulate5
8891666100zenith (n)the highest point; a peak of achievement S: culmination, maximum A: anticlimax, bottom, worse6
8891671993impugn (v)to challenge or attack and idea or statement as being untrue, especially to bring up arguments or facts against an idea or statement S: criticize, disaffirm A: flatter, praise7
8891677954teem (v)to be excessively or abundantly filled with things S: plentiful, prosperous A: lack, need, want8
8891685424turgid (adj)enlarged by fluid; swollen or engorged S: bloated, distended A: deflated, shrunken9
8891688954exacerbate (v)to make worse; to aggravate a problem or condition S: exasperate, worsen A: placate, soothe10
8891693116impetus (n)a factor that causes action S: catalyst, incitation A: block, check, hindrance11
8891697518pandemic (adj)widespread and pervasive; affecting everyone S: unrestricted, widespread A: limited, restricted12
8891714181reticent (adj)unwilling to speak; tending to be silent S: taciturn, reserved A: unrestrained, communicative13
8891717302tacit (adj)not stated outright but understood S: alluded, inferred A: elicit, expressed14
8891720866copious (adj)appearing in large number S: liberal, lavish A: meager, scarce15
8891724094derision (n)offensive attitude or speech; ridicule S: disparage, disdain A: compliment, flattery, praise16
8891727653disparage (v)to speak poorly of S: disdain, dismiss, abuse A: approve, commend, laud17
8891731183equivocate (v)to use words that have multiple meanings particularly in order to obscure the truth S: pervert, distort, warp A: honest, truthful18
8891736107maudlin (adj)excessively emotional S: sentimental, sappy A: pragmatic, realistic19

AP Literature Set Two Flashcards

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7905996755Monologuea single person speaking alone with or without an audience0
7906009321SoliloquyA moment when a character is alone and speaks his or her thoughts aloud. Doesn't acknowledge the audience1
7906024997AsideA device in which a character in a drama makes a short speech that is heard by the audience but not by other characters in the play2
7906028754Dramatic Monologuea poem in which there is one imaginary speaker addressing an imaginary audience3
7906043529Satiric Techniquesa manner of writing that mixes a critical attitude with wit and humor in an effort to improve mankind and human institutions. Ridicule, irony, exaggeration, and several other techniques are almost always present. The satirist's goal is to point out the hypocrisy of his target in the hope that either the target or the audience will return to a genuine following of the moral code. Thus, satire is inescapably moral even when no explicit values are promoted in the work, for the satirist works within the framework of a widely spread value system4
7906049031Ridiculethe act of making someone or something the object of scornful laughter by joking, mocking5
7906056689Hyperboleextreme exaggeration6
7906061105Understatementnot exaggerated7
7906068199SarcasmA sharp, caustic attitude conveyed in words through jibes, taunts, or other remarks8
7906074556HumorA term used to denote one of he two major types of writing (humor and wit) whose purpose is to evoke laughter. A comical mode that is sympathetic, tolerant, and warmly aware of the depths of human nature.9
7906077228Witprimarily intellectual, the perception of similarities in seemingly dissimilar things—the "swift play and flash of mind" -and is expressed in skillful phraseology, plays on words, surprising contrasts, paradoxes, epigrams etc10
7906080885IronyA situation or statement characterized by a significant difference between what is expected or understood and what actually happens or is meant.11
7906090920Cosmic or Irony of fateSome Fate with a grim sense of humor seems cruelly to trick a human being. Cosmic irony clearly exists in poems in which fate or the Fates are personified and seen as hostile, as in" Oedipus" and Thomas Hardy's "The Convergence of the Twain" and Robinson's "Richard Cory"). Evidently it is a twist of fate for the most envied man in town to kill himself.12
7906102009DramaticThe audience understands something that the character or characters do not realize. It occurs when a character or speaker says or does something that has different meanings from what he or she thinks it means, though the audience and other characters understand the full implications of the speech or action.13
7906106571Situationaloccurs when a situation turns out differently from what one would normally expect-though often the twist is oddly appropriate14
7906108801SocraticAdapting a form of ironic false modesty in which a speaker claims ignorance regarding a question or philosophical problem. The speaker then turns to another "authority" and raises the question humbly, asking for the expert's answer. When the "authority," presents an answer, the "modest" original speaker continues to ask pointed questions, eventually revealing the limitations or inadequacies of the supposed expert—all the while protesting his or her own inferior knowledge. The irony comes from the speaker's continuing presentation of himself as stupid even as he demolishes inferior ideas others present to him. This is the method Socrates supposedly took regarding philosophical inquiry, and it is named socratic irony in his honor.15
7906129494Verbaloccurs when a speaker or narrator says one thing while meaning the opposite.16
7906133121Absurdity, distortion, and incongruityIn contemporary literature and criticism, a term applied to the sense that human beings, cut off from their roots, live in meaningless isolation in an alien universe. Although the literature of the absurd employs many of the devices of EXPRESSIONISM and SURREALISM, its philosophical base is a form of EXISTENTIALISM that views human beings as moving from the nothingness from which they came to the nothingness in which they will end through an existence marked by anguish and absurdity, but they must make their own choices and accept responsibility for those decisions.17
7906141153BurlesqueA form of comedy characterized by ridiculous exaggeration and distortion. A serious subject may be treated frivolously or a frivolous subject seriously.18
7906144655ParodyA composition imitating another, usually serious, piece. It is designed to ridicule a work or its style or author.19
7906155216CaricatureWriting that exaggerates certain individual qualities of a person and produces BURLESQUE. It is more frequently associated with drawing rather than writing. Like satire, it lends itself to the ridicule of political, religious, and social foibles.20
7906159263Coarse Mockeryridicule that contains vulgar or bawdy references and sexual innuendo.21
7906166554InvectiveHarsh, abusive language directed against a person or cause. Vituperative writing22
7906185234Sardonic Statementsbitterly scornful; cynical; expecting the worst; stronger anger than plain sarcasm23
7919519664Verisimilitude or Realistic detail:use of specific concrete details to describe persons, places, and objects.24
7919527850Hamartia (tragic flaw)The error, frailty, mistaken judgment or misstep through which the fortunes of the hero of a TRAGEDY are reversed. Aristotle asserts that this hero should be a person "who is not eminently good or just, yet whose misfortune is brought about by some error or frailty. " Hamartia may be the result of bad judgment, bad character, ignorance, inherited weakness, accident, or any of many other possible causes. It must, however, express itself through a definite action or failure to act.25
7919530582HubrisExcessive pride or insolence that results in the misfortune of the protagonist or a tragedy. Hubris leads the protagonist to break a moral law, attempt vainly to transcend normal limitations, or ignore a divine warning with calamitous results.26
7919534898Catharsis (purgation)the relief felt after witnessing a literary tragedy. A cleansing of emotions to see the tragedy come to a conclusion.27
7919538806Recognition (anagnorisis)The change in fortune for a protagonist. The reversal of fortune for a protagonist--possibly either a fall, as in tragedy, or a success, as in comedy. An action that turns out to have the opposite effect from the one its doer had intended.28
7919545180ChorusIn ancient Greek drama, the groups of dancers and singers who participated in dramatic performances. Originally, they made up the bulk of the play, but later became interspersed between dialogue and monologues. They later evolved into prologues and epilogues.29
7919548761ComedyA lighter form of drama that aims primarily to amuse. It has a more sustained plot, subtle dialogue, more lifelike characters, and less boisterous behavior than farces or burlesque. It uses wit or humor; the comic effect arises from the recognition of some incongruity of speech, action, or character. The incongruity may be verbal (puns), or bodily (falling, distorted body parts)30
7919552814Rhetorical techniquesThe devices used in effective or persuasive language. The number of rhetorical techniques, like that of resources of language, is long and runs the gamut from apostrophe to zeugma. The more common examples include devices like contrast, repetitions, paradox, understatement, sarcasm, and rhetorical questions31
7919556292Reiterationrepetition of an idea using different words, often for emphasis or other effect32
7919560107RepetitionThe deliberate use of any element of language more than once-sound, word, phrase, sentence, grammatical pattern, or rhythmical pattern33
7919566916AnaphoraThe same words begin successive sentences for emphasis and rhythm34
7919569929ParisonRepeating the entire sentence or clause almost exactly. ("In such a night" is repeated eight times in the first twenty lines of The Merchant of Venice.)35
7919573877PloceRepeating words in a line or clause (For she that scorned me, now scorned of me36
7919578490EpizeuxisRepeating words in immediate succession . (The horror. The horror.)37
7919582376AnatanaclasisThe repetition of a key word, especially the last one, at the beginning of the next sentence or clause. ("He gave his life; life was all he could give.")38
7919585783ChiasmusA pattern in which the second part is balanced against the first but with the parts reversed, as in ("Flowers are lovely, love is flowerlike," or "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."39
7919589651AsyndetonThe practice of leaving out the usual conjunctions between coordinate sentence elements. (Smile, shake hands, part.)40
7919595210PolysyndetonThe use of more conjunctions than is normal. (...and swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flees)41
7919597301EllipsisThe omission of a word or several words necessary for a complete construction that is still understandable. "If rainy, bring an umbrella" is clear even though the words "it is" and "you" have been left out.42
7919600644ParallelismRefers to a grammatical or structural similarity between sentences or parts of a sentence. It involves an arrangement of words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs so that elements of equal importance are equally developed and similarly phrased.43
7919604702Rhetorical QuestionA question asked for effect, not in expectation of a reply. The question presupposes only one possible answer. In theory, the effect of a rhetorical question is that it causes the listener to feel he has come up with the answer himself.44
7919609222AmbiguityA technique by which a writer deliberately suggests two or more different, and sometimes conflicting, meanings in a word, phrase, or even an entire work. (What happened at the end of "The Most Dangerous Game"?)45
7919614790DualityA doctrine that recognizes the possibility of the coexistence of antithetical or complementary principles: Spiritual and Physical, Good and Evil, Mind and Matter. The concept that the world is ruled by opposing forces or that man has two basi c natures, the physical and spiritual.46
7919619679AntithesisA rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences. ("They promised freedom but provided slavery." Or "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.")47
7919623202JuxtapositionA poetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to one another, creating an effect of surprise and wit. ("The apparition of these faces in the crowd;/Petals on a wet, black bough.")48
7919626588AntecedentThat which goes before, especially the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronouns refers. (In the sentence "The witches cast their spells," the antecedent of the pronoun "their" is the noun "witches." )49
7919630808StructureThe arrangement of materials within a work; the relationship of the parts of a work to the whole; the logical divisions of a work. The most common principles of structure are series (A,B,C,D,E), contrast (A vs. B, C vs. D. E vs. F), and repetition (AA,BB). The most common units of structure are—play: scene, act; novel: chapter; poem: line, stanza.50
7919634674StyleThe mode of expression in language; the characteristic manner of expression of an author. Many elements contribute to style, and if a question calls for a discussion of style or of "stylistic techniques," you can discuss diction, syntax, figurative language, imagery, selection of detail, sound effects, and tone, using the ones that are appropriate. "Devices of style," "narrative techniques," "rhetorical techniques," "stylistic techniques," and "resources of language" are all phrases that call for a consideration of more than one technique but do not specify what techniques you must discuss.51
7919638842Syntaxthe manner in which a writer arranges words into sentences.52
7919642304Clausea group of words that has a subject (usually a noun or pronoun) and a verb53
7919645264Main (Independent) Clauseexpresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence (I love to study vocabulary)54
7919650014Subordinate (Dependent) Clausedoes not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.55
7919658280Phrasea group of related words that does not contain a subject and a verb. They act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.56
7919661787Appositive phrasea noun or pronoun and its modifiers that identifies or describes a nearby word in the sentence. (Mrs. Jones, the newest guidance counselor, has an office next door.)57
7919667396Prepositional phrase:a group of words that has a preposition, a noun or pronoun, and any other modifiers. It can modify a noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, or adverb58
7919674273Infinitive Phrasea verb usually preceded by to used as a noun or a modifier (To be, or not to be)59
8008694488Gerund Phrasea word ending in -ing that is formed from a verb and used as a noun and its modifiers(Running is a great sport)60
8009127331Participial Phrasea word formed from a verb and used as an adjective (baked potato, running shoes)61
8009127332Sentence LengthDoes the sentence length fit the subject matter? Telegraphic (shorter than 5 words) Short (5 words) Medium (+or- 18 words) Long and involved (30 words or more)62
8009127333SimpleA simple sentence contains one subject and one verb. e.g., The singer bowed to her adoring audience.63
8009127334CompoundA compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinate conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or by a semicolon (;) or a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore): (Ex., The singer bowed to the audience, but she sang no encores.)64
8009127335ComplexA complex sentence contains an independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses: (Ex., You said that you would tell the truth)65
8009127336Compound-ComplexA compound-complex sentence contains two or more principal clauses and one or more subordinate clauses: (Ex. The singer bowed while the audience applauded, but she sang no encores.)66
8009127337FragmentsA word or word group that may be capitalized and punctuated as a sentence but does not contain both a subject and a verb or does not express a complete thought. (Ex., Athletes representing 160 nations.)67
8009127338Run-onsA run-on sentence is two or more completed sentences run together as one. (Ex. Barney Oldfield (1877-1946) was the first race-car driver to go at a speed of a mile per minute, he won his first race at Detroit in 1902.)68
8009127339Loose or Cumulative SentenceA loose sentence makes complete sense if brought to a close before the actual ending. (Ex. We reached Edmonton that morning after a turbulent flight and some exciting experiences.)69
8009127340Periodic SentencesA periodic sentence makes sense only when the end of the sentence is reached. A sentence that is not grammatically complete before the end. Its construction constantly throws the mind forward to the idea that will complete the meaning. It is effective when it is desired to arouse interest and curiosity; to hold an idea in suspense before its final phrases or clauses at the opening; by the use of dependent clauses preceding the independent clause; and by the use of such correlatives as neither...nor, not only...but also, and both ... and. (Ex. That morning, after a turbulent flight and exciting experiences, we reached home.)70
8009127341Balanced SentenceIn a balanced sentence, the phrases or clauses balance each other by virtue of their likeness of structure, meaning, or length. (E.x., He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters).71
8009127342Natural order of sentencesinvolves constructing a sentence so the subject comes before the predicate. (Ex. Oranges grow in California.) Inverted order of sentences (sentence inversions): involves constructing a sentence so the predicate comes before the subject. ( Ex., In California grow oranges.)72
8009127343Parallel structure (parallelism)refers to a grammatic al or structural similarity between sentences or parts of a sentence. It involves an arrangement of words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs so that elements of equal importance are equally developed and similarly phrased. (Ex. He was walking, running, and jumping for joy.)73
8009127344Repetitionis a device in which words, sounds, and ideas are used more than once to enhance rhythm and create emphasis. (Ex. "...government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish. "Address at Gettysburg" by Abraham Lincoln)74
8009127345Juxtapositionis a poetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to one another, creating an effect of surprise and wit. (Ex.. "The apparition of these faces in the crowd75
8009127346Petals on a wet, black bough." "In Station of the Metro" by Ezra Pound)76
8009127347Exclamatorymakes an exclamation. ( The king is dead!)77
8009127348Interrogativeasks a question. (Is the king back?)78
8009127349Imperativegives a command. (Stand up.)79
8009127350Declarativemakes a statement. (The king is sick.)80
8009127351Epica long narrative poem, which in dignified and elevated style, tells of the mighty deeds of a great hero. The Odyssey, The Illiad81
8009127352Balladsimple, narrative verse which tells a story to be sung or recited; the folk ballad is anonymously handed down, while the literary ballad has a single author. "La Belle Dame sans Merci" "Richard Cory" "Sir Patrick Spens"82
8009127353*Pastoral Poema poem dealing with shepherds and simple rural life "The Calendar of the Shepherd" Edmund Spenser83
8009127354*Idylla pastoral poem that presents an incident of natural simplicity in a rustic setting; it is descriptive and presents a "little picture" of country life.84
8009127355Dramatic Poetrypoetry written in the form of a play85
8009127356Dramatic Monologuepoetry that reveals a "soul in action" : through conversation of one character in a dramatic situation. "My Last Duchess" "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"86
8009127357Lyric Poetrypoetry which expresses the personal feelings or thoughts of its author; it is subjective and emotional, imaginative, and melodious.87
8009127358Lyric(a specific subdivision of the general category) A short, simple, subjective poem that directly and forcefully expresses a single emotion.Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes,88
8009127359Songa lyric intended to be sung "Eleanor Rigby"89
8009127360Odea lyric poem which treats a serious subject thoughtfully and emotionally and which is marked by a dignified style and a complex metrical pattern; it is usually a tribute to a person or thing "Ode to a Nightingale" "Ode on a Grecian Urn"90
8009127361Sonneta fourteen-line lyric poem written in iambic pentameter91
8009127362English or Shakespearean Sonnetconsists of three quatrains rhymed abab cdcd efef and a concluding couplet rhymed gg; the three quatrains develop a single thought, and the couplet usually comments on them. "Shall I Compare Thee?"92
8009127363Italian or Petrarchan Sonnethas eight lines (the octave) for the development of a single thought, and six lines (the sestet) for a comment on, a solution to, or an application of the thought; rhyme scheme is abbaabba in the octave, and cdecde in the sestet. (any variation of the cd or cde is acceptable in the sestet. "On His Blindness" "Death, Be Not Proud" "How Do I Love Thee?" "London, 1802" "Douglass"93
8009127364*Spenserian Sonnetconsists of nine iambic lines rhymed abab bcbc cdcd ee, all pentameter except last which is hexameter (6) or alexandrine and is the summary.94
8009127365*Sonnet Sequenceseries or group of sonnets written to one person or on one theme; develops a relationship but can be examined separately95
8009127366*Companion Poemspoems by the same author designed to complement each other. Wordsworth's "Lucy" poems96
8009127367Elegya poem that laments the dead (elegaic stanza) "To an Athlete Dying Young"97
8009127368*Cinquaina five-line poem with two syllables in the first line, four in the second, six in the third, eight in the fourth, and two again in the fifth (2,4,6,8,2) It is the American counterpart of the Japanese haiku, a three-line poem with 5, 7, then 5 syllables per line.98
8009127369Villanelle19-line French verse form; the three lines in each of the first five stanzas rhyme aba; the final quatrain rhymes abaa. "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night"99
8009127370*Complainta lyric poem frequent in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in which the poet: laments the unresponsiveness of his mistress, bemoans his unhappy lot and seeks to remedy it, or regrets the sorry state of the world a poem expressing great grief100
8009127371Rhythmthe reoccurring rise and fall of sounds in a line of poetry101
8009127372Meterthe pattern of rhythm in a line of poetry102
8009127373Foota portion of a line of poetry, usually consisting of one accented and either one or two unaccented syllables103
8009127374Monometer-one foot104
8009127375Dimeter- two feet105
8009127376Trimeter- three feet106
8009127377Tetrameter- four feet107
8009127378Pentameter- five feet108
8009127379Hexameter- six feet109
8009127380Heptameter- seven feet110
8009127381Octameter- eight feet111
8009127382Iambus (adj- iambic)unaccented , accented [I am] (Em bark re late "To arms. To arms")112
8009127383Trochee (adj. - trochaic)accented, unaccented [Tro key] (Frank ly quest ion)113
8009127384Anapest (adj. - anapestic)[an uh PEST] Unaccented , unaccented , accented (Oh he floats through the air with the great est of ease)114
8009127385Dactyl (adj. - dactylic)[Dac till lick] accented,unaccented,unaccented (laugh a ble)115
8009127386Spondee (adj. - spondaic)two accented syllables (Blood-red life-like)116
8009127387Pyrrhic Foot- two unaccented of the in the line "The sail,of the,depart,ing ship."117
8009127388Scansiondistinguishing the line length and type of feet; Vertical lines mark the ends of feet; the metrical pattern is determined by scanning; the pattern is named by the prevailing type of foot (Trochaic trimeter"Teach me,half the, gladness"118
8009127389Iambic Pentameter"There is a tide in the affairs of men") ****119
8009127390Metrical VariationsIf a poem rigidly adheres to a metrical pattern, much of its charm is often lost in the monotonous recurrence of the same rhythm. Poets vary the meter in different ways. They will use one foot (spondee or pyrrhic) that is different from the prevailing one.They will use a truncated or catalectic foot - - one in which a pause is substituted for an unaccented syllable."Break,break,break..." 1. They will use one foot (spondee or pyrrhic) that is different from the prevailing one. 2. They will use a truncated or catalectic foot—one in which a pause is substituted for an unaccented syllable. (break, break, break) 3. They will use a feminine ending, in which two consecutive syllables of the rhyming words correspond with the accent on the first syllable: flying120
8009127391dying 4. They will use the caesura (also cesura), which is a "sense" pause in a line that does not affect the metrical count or timing. It is marked with double vertical lines (121
8009127392). This method of variation is frequently found in blank verse. It is conducive to the run-on line as opposed to the end-stopped line. ("With loss of Eden,122
8009127393till the greater Man (run-on) Restore us. and regain the blissful seat." (end-stopped)123
8009127394End-stopped linebreak in the meter; meaning; pause in reading124
8009127395Enjambment or Run-on Lineno pause or stop at the end of the line125
8077375400Sprung Rhythmlots of variations violations. A term coined by Gerard Manley Hopkins to designate the meter of poetry whose rhythm is based on the number of stressed syllables in a verse without regard to the number of unstressed syllables.126
8009127396Rhymethe similarity between the sounds of words or syllables; for there to be perfect (a) The vowel sounds must be similar and accented. (b) The sounds following the vowel must be similar. (c) The sounds preceding the vowel must be different.127
8077355582Exact RhymeExact Rhyme: use of identical rhyming sound (love, dove)128
8077349142Internal Rhymerhyme of words in the same line or between a word in the line and one with the next. "We were the first that ever burst..." "The trees were black where the bark was wet... I see them yet, in the spring of the year..."129
8009127398Imperfect Rhymethe use, where rhyme is expected, of words that do not strictly rhyme; Assonance and consonance are forms of imperfect rhyme, but these appear within the lines. Imperfect rhyme appears where a rhyme scheme has been established in the poem.130
8009127399Rhyme Schemethe pattern of rhymes in a stanza. It is usually marked by the use of letters of the alphabet, beginning with a and using the same letter to denote all lines which rhyme. "They glide like phantoms, into the wide hall, A Like phantoms, to the iron porch, they glide; B ..............................................sprawl, A ..........................................side; B131
8009127400**Masculine Rhymethe rhyming of a single syllable (run - run ; today - in May)132
8009127401**Feminine Rhymeone that is multiple with the first rhyming syllable accented (showers - flowers impulsively - convulsively)133
8009127402Assonancethe agreement of vowel sounds without repetition of consonants "My words l ike silent rain drops fell..."134
8009127403Alliterationthe rhyme of initial consonant sounds ("The furrow followed free." Samson saw)135
8009127404Consonancethe agreement of ending consonant sounds when the vowel sounds differ (gross - crass live - dove136
8009127405Cacophony, Dissonanceharsh,inharmonious sounds (worse than slant rhymes) a harsh, unpleasant combination of sounds. May be used for effect as Hardy and Browning did. "Twas brillig, and the slithy toves , did gyre and gimble in the wabe"137
8009127406EuphonyPleasing sounds; the opposite of cacophony138
8009127407Refraina group of words or lines that recurs regularly at the end of successive stanzas.139
8009127408Repetitionthe repeating of a word or phrase for emphasis; the same phrase, however, is not repeated regularly throughout the poem as in the refrain "Alone, alone, all, all alone, Alone on a wide, wide sea. Onomatopoeia: the imitation of sounds by words either directly or suggestively Directly: buzz, moo140
8009127409Suggestively"silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain" (Here the alliteration produces the sound of the curtain.)141
8009127410Versea single line of poetry142
8009127411Stanzaa unit of poetry consisting of a group of related verses generally with a definite metrical pattern and rhyme scheme.143
8009127412Cantoa division of a long poem, comparable to chapters in a book (The Inferno)144
8009127413Booka major division of a long poem, usually an epic; books can be divided into cantos and cantos into stanzas. (The 3 books of The Divine Comedy)145
8009127414Blank Verseunrhymed iambic pentameter (Shakespeare's plays)146
8009127415*Alexandrinea line of iambic hexameter147
8009127416Free Verse (Vers Libre)poetry with irregular meter and usually without rhyme, but definitely not the regular rhythm of traditional poetry148
8009127417Coupleta pair of successive verses which rhyme (often at the end of Shakespeare's sonnets)149
8009127418Terceta stanza of three lines, usually all rhyming150
8009127419Quatraina stanza of four lines; the most common in English151
8009127420*Ballad Stanzaa quatrain in which the first and third lines are iambic tetrameter and may rhyme: the second and fourth lines are iambic trimeter and must rhyme.152
8009127421*Quintain (Quintet)a five-line stanza153
8009127422Sesteta six-line stanza or the last six lines of an Italian sonnet154
8009127423Octave (Octet)a stanza of eight lines, probably the second most common in English. It is also the name given to the first eight lines of an Italian sonnet.155
8009127424*Heptastich; seven line stanza156
8009127425*Rhyme Royalseven-line iambic pentameter stanza rhyming ababbcc: Chaucer used this; derived from use by Scottish King James I (also Wyatt; Shakespeare)157
8009127426Terza rimathree-line stanza with interlocking rhymes that connect stanza to stanza (aba bcb cdc ded) Dante's Inferno is written in terza rima.158
8009127427*Ottava rimaeight iambic pentameter lines that rhyme abababcc; Lord Byron in "Don Juan" and Yeats Other Terms159
8009127428*ProsodyThe theory and principles of versification, particularly as they refer to rhythm, accent, and stanza.160
8009127429*Metaphysical PoetryUsually refers to the work of seventeenth-century poets who used similar methods and revolted against the romantic conventionalism of Elizabethan love poetry. They tended toward psychological analysis of the emotions of love and religion. They had a penchant for the unusual and shocking, used metaphysical conceits. They intended to express honestly, yet unconventionally, the poet's sense of the complexities and contradictions of life. (John Donne, George Herbert) The diction is simple as compared with that of the Elizabethan or Neo-Classic Periods, and echoes the words and cadences of common speech. The imagery is drawn from the commonplace or the remote. The form is frequently that of an argument with the poet's lover, with God, or with himself.161
8077339168End Rhymethe correspondence between the sounds of words at the ends of lines "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep,"162

ap literature set 3 Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
8972474332contextWords, events, or circumstances that help determine meaning.0
8972474333deconstructiona critical approach that debunks single definitions of meaning based on the instability of language1
8972474334Denotationthe literal dictionary meaning of a word or phrase2
8972474335denouementoutcome; unraveling of the plot of a play or work of literature3
8972474336deus ex machinaIn literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem4
8972474337dialogueconversation between two or more characters5
8972474338dictionA writer's or speaker's choice of words6
8972474339digressionact of straying from the main point7
8972474340double-entendrea statement that has two meanings, one of which is dirty or vulgar8
8972474341elegya sorrowful poem or speech9

DVHS Ap Literature Poetry Terms Flashcards

According to Foster, the sentence is the basic pattern in a poem. If you are having trouble understanding a poem, try writing it out or looking at it in sentences rather than the lines of verse.

Terms : Hide Images
4131209784narrativeA narrative poem tells a story. In can be all of a story or part of a story. The odyssey is an example of a narrative poem.0
4131210903lyricA poem that deals with emotions, feelings, thoughts. This is a general category. Poems of all kinds can contain lyrical elements.1
4131211495aubadeA poem about the separation of lovers. A very emotional moment or experience. Traditionally, the separation is at dawn.2
4131212065balladA song, or a poem with song-like qualities. Ballads will oftentimes have refrains lines that repeat throughout the poem.3
4131213034dramatic monologueA poem that has a definite speaker who speaks to a particular person. The listener does not respond, but the listener can influence or have an effect on the speaker.4
4131218646elegyAn elegy is a poem about death, mourning, or somber reflection. It is oftentimes about a particular person who has died. Another term for elegy is a dirge.5
4131355526The epicA long narrative poem told in a formal, elevated style that focuses on a serious subject and chronicles heroic deeds and events important to a culture or nation.6
4131219448odeA poem that celebrates. It can be a poem of praise for a person, an object, or an event.7
4131220238pastoraloriginally, a celebration of the simple, rustic life of shepherds. It has evolved to refer to any rural theme, idealizing the uncomplicated country life. Also can be referred to as idyllic.8
4131221098sestinaa poem of six six-line stanzas (sestets) with an ending tercet(three-line stanza). There is an intricate repetition using the ending words in each sestet, changing the order in each successive sestet. Three of the ending words also are the ending words of the tercet.9
4131356857HaikuA style of lyric poetry borrowed from the Japanese that typically presents an intense emotion or vivid image of nature, which, traditionally, is designed to lead to a spiritual insight. Haiku is a fixed poetic form, consisting of seventeen syllables organized into three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. Today, however, many poets vary the syllabic count in their haiku.10
4131225167sonneta fourteen-line poem. The two most recognized types of sonnets are the English (Shakespearean, Elizabethan) and Italian (Petrarchan)11
4131226900The English sonnethas 3 quatrains and an ending couplet. The rhyme scheme is abab, cdcd, efef, gg. The girst two quatrains set the theme or situation, answered or furthered by the third quatrain, and summarized or finalized by the ending couplet.12
4131228592The Italian sonnetis divided into an octave or octet (8 lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme differs, but a common pattern is abba, abba, cde, cde. The octave is more uniform in rhyme scheme than the sestet. The octave will present the theme, problem, or situation, which is then answered or resolved in the sestet.13
4131244039Terza RimaA series of three-line stanzas (tercets) with a defined, "interlocking" rhyme scheme (aba, bcb, cdc, etc.). Most are written in iambic pentameter but, whatever the meter, the established meter remains the same throughout the poem. Shorter poems written in terza rima can end in a couplet.14
4131246524Villanellea nineteen-line poem with 5 three-line stanzas and an ending quatrain. The rhyme scheme is most often aba, aba, aba, aba, aba, abaa/ The villanelle also contains a refrain, the repetition of the first and third lines of the first stanza.15
4131270040speakeras in prose, the speaker in a poem can be first person or third person. First person speakers may be identified or simply referred to as "I". The third person speaker may be objective or may have some personality (persona). Do not assume that the speaker in a poem is the poet.16
4131271085AudienceThere may be an audience, a person or group, specified by the speaker. The audience may also be general17
4131271633SubjectThe subject matter of poems can be everything from the majestic to the trivial. Throughout the ages, poets have been concerned with the matters of the human condition: life's complexities, love, hate, despair, jealousy, courage, loneliness, etc. Generally, writers prior to the 19th century dealt with the existence of the individual in relation to a spiritual universe; from the 19th century on, concerns moved to the individual in relation to nature, science, the industrial world, society, psychology, and the loss of humanity.18
4131274668ImageryThe use of figures of speech to create vivid images that appeal to one of the senses, a "picture in words"19
4131275181MetaphorA direct comparison of two dissimilar objects. A metaphor may be developed over more than one line.20
4131275419Extended metaphora metaphor that is repeated or continuous through stanzas or the entire poem. depending on its use, an extended metaphor could also be considered a controlling image if it dominates the entire work21
4131276999conceitanother name for an extended metaphor. A conceit is a "more-startling" metaphor (drop of dew and the human soul). The conceit can also be the controlling image. The conceit is prevalent in metaphysical poetry.22
4131277892SimileUsing "like" or "as" predominately, a simile is the direct comparison of two dissimilar objects. A simile will be within one line.23
4131278558symbola symbol differs from a metaphor in that it is that object plus more. A symbol may carry multiple meanings24
4131279231ironythe incongruity between "what is" and "what is expected"25
4131279404paradoxan apparent contradiction that contains some overriding truth (the one with the greatest perception is the blind man)26
4131279772Hyperboleobvious exaggeration or overstatement, not intended to be taken literally27
4131280024Understatementsomething is purposely represented as being far less important than it actually is.28
4131280296LitoteAffirming with a negative (he is not unfriendly. She is no fool)29
4131280431AllusionA reference in the work to literature, history, mythology, famous people, characters, or events outside of the work. Adds depth by making a subtle or implicit connection.30
4131280863ApostropheA direct address to an absent or dead person, or to an object, quality or idea that are oftentimes personified31
4131281487Metonymyusing an attribute of something as an association of the entirety (Washington for the federal government)32
4131281985SynecdocheUsing one part of an object to represent the entirety ("wheels" in reference to a car)33
4131282274Personificationnon-human objects having human characteristics34
4131282459Pathetic fallacysomething in nature that has human emotions35
4131282799synesthesiausing multiple sensory descriptions ("sweet sound")36
4131283573DictionAn author's choice of words. Consider: clarity(literal or abstract), appropriateness (informal, formal, colloquial, etc.) to the character or occasion, connotative and denotative meanings, depth and complexity, tone and mood37
4131284343tonethe attitude of the writer -- think "tone of voice"38
4131285264moodthe prevailing emotional atmosphere in the poem, scene, or the entire literary work39
4131285441repetitionwords, sounds, phrases, lines, or elements of syntax that repeat. It can emphasize and it can also trivialize the intended meaning40
4131286470alliterationthe repetition of initial sounds in consecutive or nearly consecutive words41
4131286772assonancethe repetition of vowel sounds42
4131286954consonancethe repetition of consonants43
4131287052cacophonyharsh, clashing word sounds. It is also called dissonance.44
4131287337euphonypleasing, calm, melodious sounds45
4131287578anaphorathe repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences46
4131287930inversionchanging the normal or grammatical sequence in a line. Inversion is used to place emphasis on a word or idea, or it is used for rhyme, rhythm, or meter.47
4131292311Caesuraa pause in a line of poetry that is brought about by punctuation or the natural rhythm of the language48
4131292695enjambmentthe continuation of one line of a poem to the next line. It may continue the grammatical structure and/or the thought49
4131293124onomatopoeiaa word formed from the imitation of natural sounds (boom, splat, whoosh)50
4131334267Stanzaa section or division in a poem51
4131334268couplet2 lines52
4131334348tercet3 lines53
4131334349quatrain4 lines54
4131334412cinquain5 lines55
4131334560sestet6 lines56
4131334561heptet7 lines57
4131334562octet (octave)8 lines58
4131335076Free Verse/ Open FormA poem "free of regular meter and rhyme". The poem may have irregular line lengths or fragments, and non-conventional uses of grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. It is "free of conventions, yet very deliberate in its use of words and form59
4131335697Blank Verselines in unrhymed iambic pentameter60
4131336187Rhymethe repetition of like sounds61
4131336304end rhymerepetition of the same sound at the end of a line (despair, care)62
4131336503masculine rhymerepetition of the same sound on the last accented syllable (forlorn/torn)63
4131336816Heroic coupletcouplets in iambic pentameter ending in masculine rhyme64
4131337418feminine rhymerepetition of the same sound on the last unaccented syllable (recieve, believe)65
4131337677Off rhyme, slant rhyme, near rhymeinexact, but close rhyme (ill, all)66
4131482191internal rhymeRhyme that occurs within the line (the stars that shine because you're mine)67
4131337987Initial rhymerhyme at the beginning of the line (fought, caught)68
4131338117sight rhymewords that look like they should rhyme, but don't (seen, been)69
4131338321Rhyme Schemerepresentation of the pattern of rhyme in a poem expressed with the use of the alphabet70
4131339411meterthe patterned repetition of stressed and unstressed syllables71
4131339522scansionthe analysis of the meter of a poem72
4131339611Iamb1 unaccented syllable, 1 accented syllable (enough)73
4131339736Trochee1 accented syllable, 1 unaccented syllable (lipstick)74
4131339995Spondee2 accented syllables (fat cat)75
4131340413Anapest2 unaccented syllables, 1 accented syllable (lemonade)76
4131341541Dactyl1 accented syllable, 2 unaccented syllables (possible)77
4131341887pyrrhic (not on list)2 unaccented syllables (borrow)78
4131342115feetbuilding block of the metrical pattern in a poem79
4131342259monometer1 foot80
4131342260dimeter2 feet81
4131342351trimeter3 feet82
4131342352tetrameter4 feet83
4131342469pentameter5 feet84
4131342470hexameter6 feet85
4131342554Heptameter7 feet86
4131342555octameter8 feet87
4131342817commacontinues the thought88
4131342818Semi-colonjoining of two or more similar thoughts89
4131343135colondesignates importance of what is to follow90
4131343211dashoff sets for emphasis91
4131343329ellipsisa pause or an omission. Note: Also a rhetorical device wherein there is an omission of words, but they are understood (the other just as fair)92
4131343593end markperiod (finality, separation, end), question mark, exclamation point93

AP Literature Vocab 1-20 Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
4740803475Herculean (adj.)Hercules was the greatest hero in Greek mythology. He accompanied 12 super-human tasks known as the "Labors of Hercules"0
4740804161Bowdlerize (v.)In 1818, Thomas Bowdler published censored versions of Shakespeare's plays. He them went onto censor other works.1
4740805170pandemonium (n.)John Milton, in Paradise Lost, named the capitol of Hell "Pandemonium" Pan= "all" / Daimon = "Demon"2
4740805910Pander (v.)From a story about the Trojan War in which a man named Pandarus arranged for his niece to be seduced by an influential prince. In Chaucer's poem Troilus and Creseyde, Pandarus arranges for the couple to make love in his hom3
4740807183QuixoticDon Quixote, a novel by Gervantes, has its hero engaging in wildly impractical feats4
4740808188Cynical (adj.)From the name of an ancient Greek School of philosophy called cyrosarges (white dog") which taught that most meant scorn, virtue for wealth and power. They were known for their skepticism of other people's motives5
4740808813Stoical (adj.)The greek philosopher, Zeno, met his students by the porch (stoa or stoikos) and taught them that one should calmly accept fortune or mistfortune6
4740810253Stigma (n.)In ancient Greece, captured run away slaves were branded on the forehead with a stigma to make future escapes more difficult7
4740811164Impede (v.)Slaves and convicts in acient Rome were sometimes shackled with leg irons Latin - im. ("in") pedio ("foot) - "to chain the feet"8
4740814208Expedite (v.)Slaves and convicts in acient Rome were sometimes shackled with leg irons Latin - ex ("out") pedio ("foot) - "to release the feet"9
4740815124Tantalize (v.)Tantalus, a son of Zeus, fed the gods his son at a banquet. As a punishment, the gods placed him in a pool of clear water beneath delicious fruit. Whenever he reached for food or drink, they would recede beyond his reach10
4740816190Labyrinth (n.)King Minos had Daedalus build him a maze, called the Labyrinth, for the half human, half - bull, Minataur11
4740817543Machiavellian (adj.)From the author 16th century book entitled The Prince by Niccolo Machiavell was a political theorist in Italy who counseled rulers on how to seize and maintain power- often with little regards to ethics12
4740819964Laconic (adj,)The Spartans, or Laconians, weere famous for the hardships they bore as part of their military training. They were taught to speak briefly and only when necessary13
4740822239Maudlin (adj.)Because of her continual, Mary Magdalene became associated with tearful sentimentally14
4740822986Galvanize (v.)The Italian Physiologist Luigi Galvan, 1737-1798, demonstrated that a muscle could be shocked into movement15
4740826156Lethargic (adj.)Ancient Greeks believed that the spirits of the deceased drink from the river Lethe, which erased all earthly memories, consequently, Greek physicians named a disease characterized by extreme drowsiness after this river- lethargia16
4740827314Ostracize (adj.)In order to protect their new democracy from a political dictator, Athenians cast ballots on clay tiles. Politicians with more than 6000 votes were banished for 10 years for fear that they might create a dictatorship17
4740828728Gregarious (adj.)Gregis (Latin) means "Flock" or "Heard" and to describe animals that like to be with others of their kind18
4740829509Egregious (adj.)Gregis (Latin) means "Flock" or "Heard" and to describe animals that like to be with others of their kind E Grege means "out of the head of flock"19

AP Literature Vocabulary Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
3985270786EpitaphA short poem or verse written in memory of someone0
3985270787Extended MetaphorA figure of speech that compares two essentially unlike things in great length1
3985270788Point of ViewFirst person: one character from the "I" perspective Second person: refers to the use of "you" in explanations or arguments Third person limited/objective: the person telling the story is not one of the characters in the story Third person omniscient: the narrator is not a characyer in the story, but the events are seen through the eyes of more than one of the characters. This narrator is "all knowing."2
3985270789FlashbackAn interruption of the chronological sequence of an event if earlier occurrence.3
3985270790MoodThe feeling that a literary work conveys to the reader4
3985270791NarratorOne who tells a story; the speaker or the "voice"5
3985270792NovelA work of fiction that is longer and more complex than a short story.6
3985270793OxymoronA form of figurative language combining contradictory words or ideas (ex. Jumbo shrimp, bittersweet)7
3985270794ParallelismThe use of similar grammatical constructions to express ideas that are related or equal in importance.8
3985270795ProtagonistThe main character who is central to the plot.9
3985270796AntagonistA character who deceives, frustrates, or works against the main character.10
4065754554AuthorThe writer of a book, article, or other text.11
4065754555AutobiographyA form of nonfiction in which a person tells the story of his or her life.12
4065754556BiographyThe story of a person's life that is written by someone else.13
4065754557DramaA form of literature meant to be performed by actors before an audience. The dialogue tells the story and the written form of the play is a script.14
4065754558EpicA long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero whose actions reflect the ideals and values of a nation or group.15
4065754559Essay1) descriptive (describes a topic) 2) expository (gives information) 3) formal (highly organized and researched) 4) humorous (to amuse or entertain the reader) 5) informal (lighter tone with a focus on feelings and personality) 6) narrative (tells a story) 7) persuasive (attempts to convince the reader to adopt a particular opinion or course of action)16
4065754560FictionProse writing that tells an imaginary story17
4065754561FolkloreTraditions, customs, and stories passed down within a culture (legends, folktales, myths, and fables)18
4065754562FolktaleA simple story that has been passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. They usually are for entertainment purposes.19
4065754563GenreA type or category of literature20
4065754564Historical FictionFiction that explores a past time period and may contain references to actual people and events of the past21
4065754565Horror FictionFiction that contains mysterious and often supernatural events to create a sense of terror22
4065754566LegendA story handed down from the past about a specific person, usually someone of heroic accomplishments.23
4065754567MythA traditional story that attempts to explain how the world was created or why the world is the way that it is. They are passed on through generations.24
4065754568NonfictionProse writing that presents and explains ideas or that tells about real people, places, objects, or events. (Autobiographies, newspaper articles, biographies)25
4065754569Oral HistoryStories of people's lives related by word of mouth. These histories usually include both factual material and personal reactions.26
4065754570ParodyA literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author's work for comic effect or ridicule.27
4065754571PlayA story written by means of a script.28
4065754572Primary SourceA firsthand account of an event (diaries, journals, letters, speeches, news stories, photographs)29
4065754573ProseThe ordinary form of spoken and written language which lacks special features of poetry.30
4065754574Realistic FictionImaginative writing set in the real, modern world. The characters act like real people who use ordinary abilities to cope with problems and conflicts typical of modern life.31
4065754575SatireA literary technique in which ideas or customs are ridiculed for the purpose of improving society.32
4065754576Science FictionProse writing in which a writer explores unexpected possibilities of the past or future by using scientific data and theories as well as his or her imagination.33
4065754577Short StoryA brief work of fiction that generally focuses on one or two main characters who face a single problem or conflict.34
4065754578SpeechA prolonged statement given in public.35
4065754579Tall TaleA humorously exaggerated story about impossible events.36
4065754580TragedyA 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 judgement. Succeeding events inevitably lead to a disastrous conclusion, usually death.37
4065754581Urban LegendA contemporary story that is told in many rumored versions that have little basis in fact.38
4339724826ActA major unit of action in a drama or play39
4354140686AllegoryA story in which people, things, and actions represent an idea about life; There is a strong moral or lesson40
4354144849AlliterationThe repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words41
4354163129AllusionA reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature42
4354164389AnalogyA 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 well43
4354166934AnecdoteA brief account of an interesting incident or event that usually is intended to entertain or make a point44
4354167979AsideAn actor's speech, directed to the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by other actors on stage.45
4354169332AssonanceRepetition of vowel sounds within a line of poetry46
4354170017AudienceThe particular group of readers or viewers that the writer is addressing. A writer considers his/her audience when deciding on a subject, a purpose for writing, and the tone and style in which to write47
4354172005Author's PurposeAn author's purpose is his/her reason for creating a particular work.48
4354173695BalladA poem that tells a story and is meant to be sung or recited49
4354174606Blank VerseUnrhymed iambic pentameter50
4354175408CaesuraA pause or sudden break in a line of poetry51
4354177240Cause and EffectTwo events are related as cause and effect when one event brings about or causes another52
4354178740CharacterA 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.53
4354183444Characterization -- AntagonistA character in a story or poem who deceives, frustrates, or works against the main character, or protagonist, in some way. It does not necessarily have to be a person; It just has to challenge the protagonist54
4354187099Characterization -- CaricatureA picture or imitation of a person's habits, physical appearance, or mannerisms exaggerated in a comic or absurd way55
4354188762Characterization -- FoilA character who serves as a contrast or a conflict to another character56
4354189748Characterization -- Hero/HeroineA character whose actions are inspiring or noble: often the main character57
4354191320Characterization -- Main charactersThe characters who are central to the plot of a story; main characters are usually dynamic and round58
4354193189Characterization -- Minor charactersLess important characters who interact with the main characters, helping to move the plot along and providing background for the story. Minor characters are usually static and flat.59
4354200364Characterization -- Character traitA character's personality60
4354201173Characterization -- Direct CharacterizationThe author directly states a character's traits or makes direct comments about a character's nature61
4354202263Characterization -- Dynamic CharacterA character who changes throughout the course of the story62
4354203402Characterization -- Flat CharacterA character about whom little information is provided63
4354204627Characterization -- Indirect 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 author64
4354208708Characterization -- Round CharacterA character who is fully described by the author65
4354210569Characterization -- Static CharacterA character who does not change or changes very little in the course of a story66
4354211643Chronological OrderThe order in which events happen in time67
4354212574ClarifyingThe reader's process of pausing occasionally while rendering to quickly review what he or she understands68
4354214765ClichéA type of figurative language containing an overused expression or saying that is no longer considered original69
4354216302ComedyA dramatic work that is light and often humorous in tone and usually ends happily with a peaceful resolution of the main conflict70
4354217897ComparisonThe process of identifying similarities71
4354218541Concrete PoetryA type of poetry that uses its physical or visual form to present its message72
4354220310ConflictThe tension or problem in the story; a struggle between opposing forces73
4354222273Conflict -- Central ConflictThe dominant or most important conflict in the story74
4354223469Conflict -- External ConflictThe problem or struggle that exists between the main character and an outside force (person vs. person, person vs. society, person vs. nature, person vs. the supernatural, person vs. technology, etc.)75
4354227616Conflict -- Internal ConflictThe problem or struggle that takes place in the main character's mind76
4354228864ConnectingA reader's process of relating the content of a literary work to his or her own knowledge or experiences77
4354230190ConnotationThe idea and feeling associated with a word as opposed to its dictionary definition or denotation78
4354233024ConsonanceThe repetition of consonant sounds anywhere within a line of poetry (Alliteration is a specific type of consonance)79
4354234489Context CluesHints or suggestions that may surround unfamiliar words or phrases and clarify their meaning80
4354236249ContrastThe process of pointing out differences between things81
4354237673CoupletA rhymed pair of lines in a poem82
4354238835DenotationThe exact or dictionary meaning of a word (The opposite of connotation)83
4354241111DialectA form of language that is spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of people84
4354242884DialogueThe conversation between characters in a drama or narrative85
4354244047Drawing ConclusionsCombining several pieces of information to make an inference86
4354246536Dramatic 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 speech. This speech, where only one character speaks, is recited while other characters are present onstage.87
4354251449ElegyA type of literature defined as a song or poem that expresses sorrow or lamentation, usually for one who has died88
4354252904Enjambmentfound in poetry, the running over of a line or thought into the next verse89
4354254374EpigramA short poem or verse that seeks to ridicule a thought or event, usually written with witticism or sarcasm90
4354256258EpiphanyA sudden moment of understanding that causes a character to change or to act in a certain way91
4354257770EvaluatingThe process of judging the value of something or someone. Literature can be evaluated in terms of such criteria as entertainment, believability, originality, and emotional power92
4354261025FableA brief tale that teaches a lesson about human nature. Fables often feature animals as characters.93
4354264687Fact and OpinionA fact is a statement that can be proved. An opinion, in contrast, is a statement that reflects the writer's or speaker's belief, but which cannot be supported by proof or evidence.94
4354267682FantasyA work of literature that contains at least one fantastic or unreal element95
4354269120Figurative Language or Figure of SpeechExpressions that are not literally true96
4354272187FootA unit of meter within a line of poetry97
4354272938ForeshadowingWhen the writer provides clues or hints that suggest or predict future events in a story98
4354274791Free VersePoetry without regular patterns of rhyme and/or rhythm. Often used to capture the sounds and rhythms of ordinary speech.99
4354276501GeneralizationA broad statement about an entire group100
4354277330HaikuA traditional form of Japanese poetry, usually dealing with nature. A haiku 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.101
4354282190Heroic Couplet or Closed CoupletA couplet consisting of two successive rhyming lines that contain a complete thought102
4354285808HumorThe quality that provokes laughter or amusement103
4354286744HyperboleA figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect104
4354288199IdiomA phrase or expression that means something different from what the words actually say (Ex. Using "Over his head" instead of "he doesn't understand")105
4354291208ImageryThe use of words and phrases that appeal to the five senses106
4354292544InferenceA logical guess based on evidence in the text107
4354293101InterviewA meeting in which one person asks another about person meters, professional matters, or both108
4354295117IronyA contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens. It adds unexpected twists and allows the reader to get more involved in the plot.109
4354299493Irony -- Verbal IronyWhen the speaker means something totally different than what he/she is saying110
4354300995Irony -- Dramatic IronyWhen facts are not known to the characters in a work of literature but are known by the audience111
4354302995Irony -- Cosmic IronySuggests that some unknown force brings about dire and dreadful events112
4354305624Irony -- Irony of SituationThe difference between what is expected to happen and the way events actually work out113
4354308137LimerickA 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.114
4354310750Literal MeaningThe actual meaning of a word or phrase115
4354311730LyricA song-like poem written mainly to express the feelings or emotions of a single speaker116
4354313135Main IdeaThe most important point that the writer wishes to express117
4354314296MemoirA specific type of autobiography about the author's person experiences118
4354316115MetaphorA type of figurative language in which a comparison is made between two things that are essentially unalike but may have one quality in common119
4354318997MeterThe regular pattern of accented and unaccented syllables -- Iamb: U/ Trochee: /U Anapest: UU/ Dactyl: /UU Spondee: // Pyrrhic: UU120
4354326628MoralA lesson that a story teaches121
4354327873MotifA recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature122
4354329003MotivationThe reason why a character acts, feels, or thinks in a certain way123
4354330890NarrativeAny writing that tells a story124
4354333197OdeA lyric poem usually having an elevated style and formal structure125
4354335951OnomatopoeiaThe use of words whose sound suggest their meaning126
4354337491ParadoxA statement that seems to contradict itself but is, nevertheless, true127
4354339311ParaphrasingThe restatement of a text by readers in their own words or in another form128
4354341049PersonificationA figure of speech where animals, ideas, or inanimate objects are given human characteristics129
4354342636PersuasionPersuasive writing is meant to sway readers' feelings, beliefs, or actions130
4354343938PlotThe sequence of related events that make up a story131
4354344915PoetryA type of literature in which ideas and feelings are expressed in compact, imaginative, and often musical language132
4354347096PredictingThe process of gathering information and combining it with the reader's own knowledge to guess what might occur in the story's future133
4354348734PropogandaText that uses false or misleading information to present a slanted point of view134
4354350266QuestioningThe process of raising questions while reading in an effort to understand the characters and events135
4354353339RefrainRepetition in literature of one or more lines at regular intervals; sometimes called the chorus136
4354355213RepetitionA technique in which a sound, word, phrase, or line is repeated for effect of emphasis137
4354357565RhymeRepetition of an identical or similarly accented sound or sounds in a work138
4354358950SarcasmThe use of praise to mock someone or something; the use of mockery or verbal irony139
4354359904ScanningThe process of searching through writing for a particular fact or piece of information140
4354361177SceneA section in a play presenting events that occur in one place at one time141
4354362843Secondary SourcePresents information complied from or based on other sources142
4354363787Sensory DetailsWords or phrases that help readers by means of imagery143
4354365691SequenceThe order in which events occur or in which ideas are presented144
4354366781SettingThe time, place, physical details, and circumstances in which a story occurs145
4354367922SimileA type of figurative language that makes a comparison between two otherwise unlike objects by connecting them with "like" or "as"146
4354370222SoliloquyA speech delivered by a character who is alone on the stage147
4354371223SonnetA distinctive poetic style that uses a system or patter of metrical structure and verse composition usually consisting of 14 lines148
4354373823SpeakerThe voice that talks to the reader in a poem149
4354375687Stage DirectionsThe instructions to the actors, directors, and stage crew in the script of a play150
4354376739StanzaA grouping of two or more lines within a poem151
4354379891StereotypeA broad generalization or an oversimplified view that disregards individual differences152
4354381193Story MappingA visual organizer that helps a reader understand a work of literature by tracking setting, characters, events, and conflicts153
4354383563StyleHow a writer says something154
4354384123SummarizingThe process of briefly recounting the main ideas of a piece of writing in a person's own words, while omitting unimportant details155
4354386358SuspenseA feeling of growing tension and excitement156
4354389158SymbolismUsing something specific to stand for something else157
4354390703SynecdocheA literary technique in which the whole is represented by naming one of its parts ("Come check out my new wheels" instead of "come check out my new car")158
4354394404ThemeA common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work159
4354395425ToneThe writer's attitude or feeling about his/her subject160
4354396240UnderstatementA statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said; the opposite of hyperbole161
4354398411VoiceAn author or narrator's distinctive style or manner of expression162

AP Language Semester 1 Final Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
5645944112Altruistic(adj.) unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others0
5645946448AmbivalentThe state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. "the law's ambivalence about the importance of a victim's identity"1
5645946449Anomalous(adj.) abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual2
5645946450Bravadofake bravery3
5645949059CausticBiting in wit4
5645951051Censureexpress severe disapproval of (someone or something), typically in a formal statement. "a judge was censured in 1983 for a variety of types of injudicious conduct"5
5645951052Condescendingan attitude of patronizing superiority; disdain. "a tone of condescension"6
5645953459ContemptThe feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn. "he showed his contempt for his job by doing it very badly"7
5645953460DidacticDescribe fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specifc lesson or moral8
5645953461Disdain(v.) to look upon with scorn; to refuse scornfully; (n.) a feeling of contempt9
5645953462DisinterestTo not be interested in something10
5645956900DispassionateTo not be passionate about something11
5645956901Egregiousoutstandingly bad; shocking12
5645959953Equivocal(adj.) ambiguous, uncertain, undecided (His intentions were so equivocal that I didn't know whether he was being chivalrous or sleazy.)13
5645960049ExhortativeTo urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently14
5645963168Fawningoverabundance of flattery15
5645965703Flippant(adj.) lacking in seriousness; disrespectful, saucy16
5645965704Imperious(adj.) overbearing, arrogant; seeking to dominate; pressing, compelling17
5645965705Jaded(adj.) wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)18
5645965706IncredulousDisbelieving, skeptical19
5645966136Lugubriousexaggeratedly mournful20
5645966137Mollify(v.) to soften, make gentle, pacify; to calm, allay (as an emotion), assuage, appease, placate; to reduce in intensity21
5645968955Nonchalant(adj.) having a lack of concern, indifference (Although deep down she was very angry, Marsha acted in a nonchalant manner when she found out that her best friend had used her clothing without asking.)22
5645968956Objective(adj) factual, related to reality or physical objects; not influenced by emotions, unbiased23
5645968957Obliqenot relivant24
5645968958OminousMenacing; threatening25
5645971523PatronizingCondescending, having a superior manner, treating as an inferior26
5645971524PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.27
5645971525Resignedaccepting one's fate; unresisting; patiently submissive28
5645971526SaguineOptimistic29
5645971527Sardonic(adj.) grimly or scornfully mocking, bitterly sarcastic30
5645975110Wry(adj.) twisted, turned to one side; cleverly and often grimly humorous31
5645975111Ad hominemAn argument based on the failings of an adversary rather than on the merits of the case; a logical fallacy that involves a personal attack.32
5645975112AllegoryA literary work in which characters, objects, or actions represent abstractions33
5645977459AllusionA direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical. There are many more possibilities, and a work may simultaneously use multiple layers of allusion.34
5645977460AnalogyA comparison of two different things that are similar in some way35
5645977461AnaphoraA rhetorical figure of repetition in which the same word or phrase is repeated in (and usually at the beginning of) successive lines, clauses, or sentences.36
5645977462AnecdoteA brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event.37
5645980408AnticlimaticSomething that was not built up to what it was supposed to38
5645980409Antithesis(n.) the direct opposite, a sharp contrast39
5645980410AphorismA brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.40
5645980411ApostropheTalking to things that are not there41
5647241113AsyndetonCommas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words, speeds up flow of sentence. X, Y, Z as opposed to X, Y, and Z.42
5647241114Bandwagon AppealA claim that a listener should accept an argument because of how many other people have already accepted it.43
5647241115ChiasmusA statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed44
5647243179Circular ReasoningReasoning that ends and begins in the same place. No evidence is offered45
5647243180ColloquialLay man terms46
5647243181ConceitTo be full of yourself47
5647245645Concrete DetailDetails that are solid48
5647245646ConcessionSomething given up or yielded49
5647248184Deductive Reasoningreasoning in which a conclusion is reached by stating a general principle and then applying that principle to a specific case (The sun rises every morning; therefore, the sun will rise on Tuesday morning.)50
5647248185Digressionto get away from the task at hand51
5655542251EllipsisWhen words or phrases are ommited52
5655544221EpistropheRepeated phrases at the end of a sentence53
5655544222EthosAppeal to credibility54
5655544223EuphemismDevice where being indirect replaces reality Passed away for died55
5655544237Hortatory SubjunctiveA subjunctive that will act as a command. It only appears in the first person plural56
5655545578HyperboleDeliberate exaggeration or overstatement57
5655545579Idiomatic ExpressionAn expression that can not be translated literally "How do you do?"58
5655547014ImperativeCommanding statement59
5655551124Inductive ReasoningA type of logic in which generalizations are based on a large number of specific observations.60
5655602878Invectiveabusive language61
5655602879Inverted Syntaxreversing the normal word order of a sentence62
5655602880IronyDifferences between appearance and reality/meaning and intention63
5655604540JuxtapositionUnassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to one another64
5655604541Lampooningharsh satire aimed at an individual65
5655604542LitotesUnderstatement in which a thing is affirmed by stating the negative of its opposite. It was not a pretty picture66
5655604573LogosAppeal to logic67
5655606909Loose SentenceComplete sentence that's brought to the close before the actual end68
5655606910MetaphorComparison without using like or as69
5655606930MetonymyWhen an name of something is substituted something close to it70
5655606931Non Sequitursomething that does not logically follow71
5655608033ParableStory that teaches a lesson72
5655608034ParadoxAssertion opposed to common sense but may have truth in it73
5655608035Parallel Structurethe repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures74
5655608065PathosQuality in a real situation or in a literary work that evokes sympathy75
5655609408Periodic SentenceSentence that places all the important information at the end76
5655613571PersonificationGiving a non human object human characteristics77
5655613572PolysyndetonRepetition of conjunctions in a series of coordinate words phrases or clauses78
5655613573PunPlay on words79
5655613574Qualifiera word or phrase that clarifies, modifies, or limits the meaning of another word or phrase80
5655613585Querulous(adj.) peevish, complaining, fretful81
5655614469Rapport(n.) mutual understanding and harmony (When Margaret met her paramour, they felt an instant rapport.)82
5655614470Rhetorical Questionquestion that is not requiring an answer83
5655615663SimileComparison using like or as84
5655615664SymbolWord that can stand for something else85
5655615665SynecdocheA part that stands for a whole86
5655616978SynesthesiaTwo or more senses "Loud Shirt" "Blue Note"87
5655616979SyntaxArrangement of words in a sentence88
5655617000UnderstatementMaking something large not seem as large89
5655618515VerbalsWord that looks like a verb but stands for something else90

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