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Drama terms for AP Literature Flashcards

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6735484710Nemesisan opponent that cannot be beaten or overcome or Just punishment; retribution.0
6735484711HubrisPride that challenges the role of the gods1
6735484712CatharsisAn emotional discharge that brings about a moral or spiritual renewal or welcome relief from tension and anxiety2
6735484713Tragic flawA character trait that leads to the downfall of a hero, while also (often) making him admirable3
6735484716ComedyA literary work which ends happily because the hero or heroine is able to overcome obstacles and get what he or she wants.4
6735484717TragedyA serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble character5
6735484721SatireA literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.6
6735484722Foiblea minor character flaw7
6735484723ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.8
6735484724Invectiveabusive language9
6735484725Inuendoa hint, indirect suggestion or reference, often in a derogatory sense10
6735484726Slapsticka boisterous comedy with chases and collisions and practical jokes11
6735484728Malapropisma word humorously misused12
6735484729PunA play on words13
6735484730IronyA contrast between expectation and reality14
6735484731Situational ironyAn outcome that turns out to be very different from what was expected15
6735484732Verbal IronyA figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant16
6735484733Dramatic IronyIrony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.17
6735484734SarcasmA mocking, often ironic or satirical remark.18
6735484735AsideA device in which a character in a drama makes a short speech which is heard by the audience but not by other characters in the play19
6735484736MonologueA long speech made by one performer or by one person in a group.20
6735484737SoliloquyA long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage21
6735484738Stage directionsan instruction in the text of a play, especially one indicating the movement, position, or tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting.22
6735484739SetArrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted23
6735484740Absurdpreposterous24
6735484741Understatementthe presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.25
6735484742HyperboleAn exaggeration26
6735484744AnecdoteA short and amusing or interesting story27
6735484746EpiphanyA moment of sudden revelation or insight28

AP Literature and Composition Words Flashcards

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3671849544consonancerepetition of the same consonant sound at the end of syllables or words0
3671857145masculine rhymea rhyme of but a single stressed syllable, ex: disdain, complain.1
3671861618enjambmentthe running on of the thought from one line, couplet, or stanza to the next without a syntactical break (w/o a pause)2
3671868912feminine rhymemore than one syllable stressed followed by unstressed ex: glamorous, amorous3
3671872475anachronismsomething or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, especially a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time: Ex: The sword is an anachronism in modern warfare.4
3671884522apostrophea digression in the form of an address to someone not present, or to a personified object or idea ex: "O Death, where is thy sting?".5
3671888322assonanceAlso called vowel rhyme. Prosody. rhyme in which the same vowel sounds are used with different consonants in the stressed syllables of the rhyming words, Ex: penitent and reticence.6
3671895265admonitiona warning7
3671897591asyndetonthe omission of conjunctions, as in "He has provided the poor with jobs, with opportunity, with self-respect.".8
3671903469anaphorarepetition of a word or words at the beginning of two or more successive verses, clauses, or sentences.9
3671911086elegy1. a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead. 2. a poem of serious reflection 3. = complaint about love10
3671913205didacticismintended for instruction; instructive:11
3672197667iambic pentametera common meter in poetry consisting of an unrhymed line with five feet or accents, each foot containing an unaccented syllable and an accented syllable12
3672204465panegyrica lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing; eulogy.13
3672208624lampoona sharp, often virulent satire directed against an individual or institution; a work of literature, art, or the like, ridiculing severely the character or behavior of a person, society14
3672215439slant rhyme (half rhyme, imperfect rhyme)rhyme in which either the vowels or the consonants of stressed syllables are identical, Ex: eyes, light; years, yours.15
3672221142polysyndetonthe use of a number of conjunctions in close succession.16
3672225241oxymorona figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in "cruel kindness" or "to make haste slowly.".17
3672226914chiasmusa reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases, as in "He went to the country, to the town went she.".18
3672236910caesura1.break, especially a sense pause, usually near the middle of a verse, and marked in scansion by a double vertical line, as in know then thyself ‖ presume not God to scan. 2.a division made by the ending of a word within a foot, or sometimes at the end of a foot, especially in certain recognized places near the middle of a verse.19
3672243631epistrophethe repetition of a word or words at the end of two or more successive verses, clauses, or sentences, as in "I should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong. ...".20
3672245073conceitextended metaphor21
3672251846explicit metaphorfully explained metaphor in great detail22
3672255751iamba foot of two syllables, a short followed by a long in quantitative meter, or an unstressed followed by a stressed in accentual meter, as in Come live / with me / and be / my love.23
3672258959aphorisma terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely"24
3672262503homily2. an admonitory or moralizing discourse. 3. an inspirational saying or cliché.25
3672265362epigramany witty, ingenious, or pointed saying tersely expressed.26
3672268386axioms1.a self-evident truth that requires no proof. 2.a universally accepted principle or rule.27
3672270975double entendre1.a double meaning. 2.a word or expression used in a given context so that it can be understood in two ways, especially when one meaning is risqué.28
3672276139anithesis1.the placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in "Give me liberty or give me death.". 2.the second sentence or part thus set in opposition, as "or give me death.".29
3672293482villanellea short poem of fixed form, written in tercets, usually five in number, followed by a final quatrain, all being based on two rhymes.30
3672299371closed formA type of form or structure in poetry characterized by regularity and consistency in such elements as rhyme, line length, and metrical pattern.31
3672304519neoclassicism (1660-1800)-end of restoration -publication of lyrical ballads -strong traditional philosophy -great respect for classical writers -literature = art, required long period of study and practice to be perfected, highly stylized -human beings = primary subject matter -art for humans sake (humanism) -emphasis placed on which humans have in common -individual = limited being32
3672322720post modernism-alienation of person from society -nonconventional forces -extension of modernism in new way (even more nonconventional)33
3672932959realisma manner of treating subject matter that presents a careful description of everyday life, usually of the lower and middle classes. a theory of writing in which the ordinary, familiar, or mundane aspects of life are represented in a straightforward or matter-of-fact manner that is presumed to reflect life as it actually is.34
3672936674imagism1.a poetic movement in England and America between 1912 and 1917, initiated chiefly by Ezra Pound, advocating the use of ordinary speech and the precise presentation of images 2. (often initial capital letter) a theory or practice of a group of poets in England and America between 1909 and 1917 who believed that poetry should employ the language of common speech, create new rhythms, have complete freedom in subject matter, and present a clear, concentrated, and precise image. 3. a style of poetry that employs free verse and the patterns and rhythms of common speech.35
3672939203naturalism-a manner or technique of treating subject matter that presents, through volume of detail, a deterministic view of human life and actions. -a deterministic theory of writing in which it is held that a writer should adopt an objective view toward the material written about, be free of preconceived ideas as to form and content, and represent with clinical accuracy and frankness the details of life. Compare realism (def 4b). -a representation of natural appearances or natural patterns of speech, manner, etc., in a work of fiction. -the depiction of the physical environment, especially landscape or the rural environment.36
3673007269allegorya symbolical narrative37
3673011683anecdotea short usually amusing account of an incident, esp a personal or biographical one38
3673016498overture-an introductory part, as of a poem; prelude; prologue. -an opening or initiating move toward negotiations, a new relationship, an agreement, etc.; a formal or informal proposal or offer:39
3673028463invocation-the act of invoking or calling upon a deity, spirit, etc., for aid, protection, inspiration, or the like; supplication. -a form of prayer invoking God's presence, especially one said at the beginning of a religious service or public ceremony.40
3673030760denouement1.the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel. 2.the place in the plot at which this occurs. 3.the outcome or resolution of a doubtful series of occurrences. 4.the final clarification or resolution of a plot in a play or other work 5.final outcome;solution41
3673035427codaa concluding part of a literary work, esp a summary at the end of a novel of further developments in the lives of the characters42
3673038810anastrophe1. inversion of the usual order of words 2."Ready are you? What know you of ready? For eight hundred years have I trained Jedi. My own counsel will I keep on who is to be trained. . . . This one a long time have I watched. . . . Never his mind on where he was." (Yoda)43
3673047662passive voiceThe ball was thrown by the pitcher44
3673050542missivea written message; letter.45
3673052644epanalepsisa repetition of a word or a phrase with intervening words setting off the repetition, sometimes occurring with a phrase used both at the beginning and end of a sentence, as in Only the poor really know what it is to suffer; only the poor.46
3673056689metonymya figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as "scepter" for "sovereignty," or "the bottle" for "strong drink," or "count heads (or noses)" for "count people.".47
3673059678leitmotif1. a motif or theme associated throughout a music drama with a particular person, situation, or idea. 2. an often repeated word, phrase, image, or theme in a literary work48
3673064110bildungsromana type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist.49
3673069806synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special, as in ten sail for ten ships or a Croesus for a rich man.50
3673072522synesthesiathe production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body. -a technique adopted by writers to present ideas, characters or places in such a manner that they appeal to more than one senses like hearing, seeing, smell etc. at a given time.51
3673074274litotesunderstatement, especially that in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary, as in "not bad at all.".52
3673076711appositivesWhen a noun or word is followed by another noun or phrase that renames or identifies it53
3673079039semanticsthe study of meaning, the study of linguistic developments54
3673081686altercationsheated or angry dispute55
3673085338Gothic novela genre of fiction characterized by mystery and supernatural horror, often set in a dark castle or other medieval setting56
3673088955epica long narrative poem recounting in elevated style the deeds of a legendary hero, esp one originating in oral folk tradition57
3673089939colloquialalisma word or phrase appropriate to conversation and other informal situations58
3673097979malapropism1. an act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by the confusion of words that are similar in sound. 2. an instance of this, as in "Lead the way and we'll precede.".59
3673099479paradoxa statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.60
3673105336idiomsan expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements, as kick the bucket or hang one's head, or from the general grammatical rules of a language, as the table round for the round table, and that is not a constituent of a larger expression of like characteristics.61
3673106780jeremiada prolonged lamentation or mournful complaint.62
3673107324pastoralan elaborately conventional poem expressing a nostalgic image of the peace and simplicity of the life of shepherds and rural folk in an idealized natural setting63
3673122928odelong lyric poem that is serious in subject and elevated in style64
3673132692dirgeexpresses grief -short, less formal, represented as text to be sung65
3673138450sestinaa poem of six six-line stanzas and a three-line envoy, originally without rhyme, in which each stanza repeats the end words of the lines of the first stanza, but in different order, the envoy using the six words again, three in the middle of the lines and three at the end.66
3673148575Italian/Petrarchan sonnetcontains: -octave (eight lines) -sestet(six lines) of varying rhyme patterns, such as cdecde or cdccdc67
3673157886English /Shakespearean Sonnetsonnet contains: -three quatrains(sections of 4 lines, also called staves): abab cdcd efef -a concluding couplet(two rhyming lines) sometimes called the gemel68
3673165772voltaturn or shift in Shakespearean sonnet after problem is proposed in the first octave69
3673170258lyricA kind of poetry, generally short, characterized by a musical use of language. Lyric poetry often involves the expression of intense personal emotion. The elegy, the ode, and the sonnet are forms of the lyric poem.70
3673174432ballada narrative poem in short stanzas of popular origin, originally sung to a repeated tune71
3673177428limericka kind of humorous verse of five lines, in which the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines, which are shorter, form a rhymed couplet.72
3673189295pastoral elegycontent represents the mourner and the one he mourns73

AP Literature Literary Devices Flashcards

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6582785410consonanceRepetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.0
6582785411personificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes1
6582785412masculine rhymeA rhyme ending on the final stressed syllable2
6582785413simileA comparison using "like" or "as"3
6582785414enjambmentA run-on line of poetry in which logical and grammatical sense carries over from one line into the next.4
6582785416rhyme schemeA regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem5
6582785417alliterationRepetition of consonant sounds6
6582785418themeCentral idea of a work of literature7
6582785419anachronismSomething out of place in time8
6582785420allusionA 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.9
6582785422apostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.10
6582785424internal rhymeA word inside a line rhymes with another word on the same line11
6582785425feminine rhymelines rhymed by their final two syllables12
6582785426assonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity13
6582785427odeA lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful, and exalted feelings toward the subject.14
6582785428balladA narrative poem written in four-line stanzas, characterized by swift action and narrated in a direct style.15
6582785429Shakespearean sonneta sonnet consisting three quatrains and a concluding couplet in iambic pentameter with the rhyme pattern abab cdcd efef gg16
6582785430admonitionwarning17
6582785431lyricA type of poetry that explores the poet's personal interpretation of and feelings about the world.18
6582785432Petrarchan (italian) sonneta sonnet consisting of an octave with the rhyme pattern abbaabba, followed by a sestet with the rhyme pattern cdecde or cdcdcd19
6582785433toneA writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.20
6582785434asyndetonA construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions21
6582785435anaphoraA 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.22
6582785439pastoralA work of literature dealing with rural life23
6582785440elegya sorrowful poem or speech24
6582785441meterA regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry25
6582785442end rhymeA word at the end of one line rhymes with a word at the end of another line26
6582785443hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor27
6582785444synesthesiadescribing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")28
6582785445slant rhymerhyme in which the vowel sounds are nearly, but not exactly the same (i.e. the words "stress" and "kiss"); sometimes called half-rhyme, near rhyme, or partial rhyme29
6582785446iambic pentameterA common meter in poetry consisting of an unrhymed line with five feet or accents, each foot containing an unaccented syllable and an accented syllable.30
6582785448Tom SwiftyA play on words31
6582785450limerickA five line poem in which lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme and lines 3 and 4 rhyme.32
6582785451coupletA pair of rhymed lines that may or may not constitute a separate stanza in a poem.33
6582785452oxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.34
6582785461polysyndetonDeliberate use of many conjunctions35
6582785462chiasmusA statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed36
6582785463caesuraA natural pause or break in a line of poetry, usually near the middle of the line.37
6582785464epistrophethe repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences38
6582785466anapestica foot consisting of two unstressed and one stressed syllable39
6582785467dactylica foot consisting of one stressed and two unstressed syllables40
6582785468iambicA common meter in poetry consisting of an unrhymed line with five feet or accents, each foot containing an unaccented syllable and an accented syllable.41
6582785469trochaica foot consisting of a stressed and unstressed syllable42
6582785470spondaic2 stressed syllables43
6582785471parallelismPhrases or sentences of a similar construction/meaning placed side by side, balancing each other44
6582785472conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.45
6582785475heroic coupleta couplet consisting of two rhymed lines of iambic pentamenter and written in an elevated style46
6582785476aphorismA brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.47
6582785477homilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.48
6582785478epigramA brief witty poem, often satirical.49
6582785479axiomSelf-evident truth requiring no proof; universally or generally accepted principle50
6582785481antithesisA balancing of two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses.51
6582785483syntaxSentence structure52
6582785484refrainA line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem.53
6582785485extended metaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.54
6582785486sestina6 six-line stanzas ending with tercet; last words of each line in 1st stanza are repeated as last words in next stanza55
6582785488free versePoetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme56
6582785492realismA 19th century artistic movement in which writers and painters sought to show life as it is rather than life as it should be57

AP Literature 1984 Vocab Flashcards

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3784886813truncheonclub0
3784888211aureolehalo1
3784889428dissembledisguise2
3784898127mutablechangeable3
3784901387myriadinnumerable4
3784918183labyrinthineintricate5
3784920444pannikinsmall pan6
3784920445vapiddull7
3784923407incredulousunbelieving8
3784925153furtivesneaking9
3784927589sinecureeasy job10
3784929009anodynepacifier11
3784930300convolutedcoiled12
3784930301officiousmeddlesome13
3784931852lassitudefatigue14
3784935138fatuousfoolish15
3784938064etiolateweaken16
3784939500obeisantmeek17
3784939501prosaicfactual18
3784941431febrilefeverish19
3784943419ramificationconsequence20
3784946075simianapelike21
3784946134demurrefuse politely22
3784948538persiflagetrivial23
3784985015feralsavage24
3784986793fecundfertile25
3784989084spurioussuspicious26
3784997004inimicalhostile27
3785005287avariciousgreedy28
3785006888ossifyharden29
3785009108lividfurious30
3785009146reprisalspecific act of revenge31
3785012798polysyndetona sentence with multiple conjunctions32
3785014580asyndetona sentence with minimal conjuctions33
3785017765imagisticvery precise visual imagery34
3785020978anaphoraa repetition of a word or phrase35
3785026587periodic sentenceMain point is at the end of the sentence36

Examples of AP Language Terms Flashcards

Personification The assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts. An example: Wordsworth's "the sea that bares her bosom to the moon."
Antithesis the presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by phrase, clause, or paragraphs. "To be or not to be . . ." "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times . . ." "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country . . ."
Oxymoron From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," ___ is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness."
Sarcasm from the Greek meaning "to tear flesh," ___ involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device.
Synecdoche . a figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of the whole. "All hands on deck" is an example.
Hyperbole a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement
Anaphora repetition 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.
Euphony the pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds in a literary work.
Theme The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually, __ is unstated in fictional works, but in nonfiction, the __ may be directly stated, especially in expository or argumentative writing.
Metonomy a term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name" __ is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.

Terms : Hide Images
4366047205PersonificationWordsworth's "the sea that bares her bosom to the moon."0
4366047206Antithesis"To be or not to be . . ." "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times . . ." "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country . . ."1
4366047207Anaphora"We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.2
4366047208Metonomy"The White House declared" rather than "The President declared"3
4366047209Euphemism"He went to his final reward"4
4366047210Alliteration"From forth the fatal loins of these two foes..." is an example of which poetic device?5
4366047211EthosAs ambassador to Saudi Arabia, I have a unique understanding of Arab perceptions of America.6
4366047212Pathos"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people." —Declaration of Independence7
4366047213Parallelism"it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of believe, it was the epoch of incredulity....")8
4366047214Analogy"Pupils are more like oysters than sausages. The job of teaching is not to stuff them and then seal them up, but to help them open and reveal the riches within. There are pearls in each of us, if only we knew how to cultivate them with ardor and persistence."9
4366047215ChiasmusHeaven is too great of humanity; humanity is too great for heaven10
4366047216AnadiplosisRepetition of the last word of the preceding clause- Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate.11
4366047217Epistrophe"I want to be the best, and we need the best, and we deserve the best."12
4366047218allusionA reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art.13
4366047219anachronismAn event or detail existing out of its proper time in history.14
4366047220apostropheO Earth, thou Grantest us the great resisting surge of new-won life! -- appeal to someone not present (a figure of speech)15
4366047221conceitA fanciful, particularly clever extended metaphor.16
4366047222ellipsesA deliberate omission of words17
4366047223epanalepsisDevice: This device repeats the opening word or phrase at the end of the sentence to emphasize a statement or idea18
4366047224foreshadowingAn event of statement in a narrative that in miniature suggests a larger event that comes later.19
4366047225imageryLanguage that appeals to the senses20
4366047226logosAn appeal based on logic or reason21
4366047227puna play on words22
4366047228rhetorical questionA question asked merely for effect with no answer expected.23
4366047229similesomething using like or as24
4366047230verbal ironyA figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant25

AP Literature - Literary Terms Flashcards

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5899812069allegoryA story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.0
5899812070alliterationIt is a stylistic device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant sound, occur close together in a series.1
5899812071allusionA brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance.2
5899812072anagrama word or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase3
5899812073antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.4
5899812074antagonistA character or force in conflict with the main character5
5899812075anaphoraA 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.6
5899812076anastropheInversion of the natural or usual word order7
5899812077antithesisA balancing of two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses.8
5899812078aphorismA brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.9
5899812079apostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.10
5899812080assonanceRepetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity11
5899812081asyndetonA series of words separated by commas (with no conjunction), e.g. "I came, I saw, I conquered." The parts of the sentence are emphasized equally; in addition, the use of commas with no intervening conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence.12
5899812082blank versePoetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter13
5899812083caesuraA natural pause or break in a line of poetry, usually near the middle of the line.14
5899812084cacophonyHarsh, discordant, or meaningless mixture of sounds15
5899812085cadenceRhythmic rise and fall16
5899812086conceitA fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.17
5899812087connotationAll the meanings, associations, or emotions that a word suggests18
5899812088consonanceRepetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.19
5899812089coupletA pair of rhymed lines that may or may not constitute a separate stanza in a poem.20
5899812090dactylA stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables21
5899812091denotationDictionary definition of a word22
5899812092denouementan outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot23
5899812093dictionThe choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing24
5899812094didacticIntended to instruct; teaching, or teaching a moral lesson25
5899812095dirgea funeral hymn or mournful speech26
5899812096euphemismAn indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant27
5899812097end-stopped lineA line that ends with a natural speech pause, usually marked by punctuation28
5899812098enjambmentA run-on line of poetry in which logical and grammatical sense carries over from one line into the next.29
5899812099epitaphA brief statement written on a tomb or gravestone30
5899812100epicA long narrative poem, written in heightened language, which recounts the deeds of a heroic character who embodies the values of a particular society31
5899812101epistolaryA piece of literature contained in or carried on by letters32
5899812102flashbackA method of narration in which present action is temporarily interrupted so that the reader can witness past events33
5899812103foreshadowingA narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader.34
5899812104footA metrical unit composed of stressed and unstressed syllables.35
5899812105frame storyA secondary story or stories embedded in the main story36
5899812106free versePoetry that does not have a regular meter or rhyme scheme37
5899812107genreA category or type of literature (or of art, music, etc.) characterized by a particular form, style, or content.38
5899812108hamartiatragic flaw which causes a character's downfall39
5899812109heroic coupletA pair of rhymed, iambic pentameter lines.40
5899812110hexameterA line of poetry that has six metrical feet.41
5899812111hubrisExcessive pride or arrogance that results in the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy42
5899812112hyperboleA figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor43
5899812113iambA common meter in poetry consisting of an unrhymed line with five feet or accents, each foot containing an unaccented syllable and an accented syllable.44
5899812114imageryDescriptive or figurative language in a literary work; the use of language to create sensory impressions.45
5899812115ironyA contrast or discrepancy between what is stated and what is really meant, or between what is expected to happen and what actually does happen.46
5899812116verbal ironyIn this type of irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's true meaning47
5899812117situational ironyOccurs when the outcome of a work is unexpected, or events turn out to be the opposite from what one had expected48
5899812118dramatic ironyIrony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.49
5899812119jargonSpecial words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand50
5899812120juxtapositionPlacement of two things closely together to emphasize comparisons or contrasts51
5899812121kenningA device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities.52
5899812122metaphorA comparison that establishes a figurative identity between objects being compared.53
5899812123meterA regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry54
5899812124metonymyA figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it55
5899812125moodFeeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader56
5899812126motif(n.) a principal idea, feature, theme, or element; a repeated or dominant figure in a design57
5899812127motivationA psychological factor that provides a directional force or reason for behavior.58
5899812128narrationThe purpose of this type of rhetorical mode is to tell the story or narrate an event or series of events.59
5899812129novelA long fictional narrative written in prose, usually having many characters and a strong plot.60
5899812130novellaA short novel usually under 100 pages.61
5899812131noveletteWhen a novel is short and has chapters reffered to as vignettes62
5899812132octavea verse form consisting of eight lines of iambic pentameter63
5899812133odeA lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful, and exalted feelings toward the subject.64
5899812134onomatopoeiaA figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words.65
5899812135oxymoronA figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.66
5899812136paeansong of joy or triumph; a fervent expression of joy67
5899812137parableA simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson68
5899812138paradoxA statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.69
5899812139parallelismPhrases or sentences of a similar construction/meaning placed side by side, balancing each other70
5899812140parodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.71
5899812141pedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.72
5899812142pentametera rhythm in poetry that has five stressed syllables in each line (five metrical feet)73
5899812143personaA pattern of relatively permanent traits, dispositions, or characteristics that give some consistency to people's behavior.74
5899812144personificationA figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes75
5899812145plotSequence of events in a story76
5899812146point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told77
5899812147polysyndetonDeliberate use of many conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted. Hemingway and the Bible both use extensively. Ex. "he ran and jumped and laughed for joy"78
5899812148prosodyAppropriate expression when reading. Includes pitch (intonation), loudness, stressing phrases, etc.79
5899812149protagonistChief character in a dramatic or narrative work, usually trying to accomplish some objective or working toward some goal.80
5899812150punA joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings.81
5899812151quatrain4 line stanza82
5899812152refrainA line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem.83
5899812153rhetorical questionA question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer84
5899812154end rhymeA word at the end of one line rhymes with a word at the end of another line85
5899812155eye rhymerhyme that appears correct from spelling but does not rhyme because of pronunciation86
5899812156forced rhymewhen two words don't really rhyme together, but an author uses similar spelled, or sounding words to try to create a rhyme; Ex: stone, one87
5899812157internal rhymeA word inside a line rhymes with another word on the same line88
5899812158slant rhymerhyme in which the vowel sounds are nearly, but not exactly the same (i.e. the words "stress" and "kiss"); sometimes called half-rhyme, near rhyme, or partial rhyme89
5899812159rhyme schemeA regular pattern of rhyming words in a poem90
5899812160satireA literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.91
5899812161sesteta rhythmic group of six lines of verse92
5899812162shifts/turnsChanges in the speaker's attitude. Look for key words such as but, yet, however, and although, punctuation, and stanza division.93
5899812163sonnet14-line lyric poem focused on a single theme; usually written in iambic pentameter94
5899812164symbolA thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.95
5899812165synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa96
5899812166syntaxArrangement of words in phrases and sentences97
5899812167themeA topic of discussion or writing; a major idea broad enough to cover the entire scope of a literary work.98
5899812168toneA writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.99
5899812169understatementthe presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.100
5899812170villanelleA French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes.101

AP Literature Vocab 14 Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
4758417078Odea long, formal lyric poem with a serious theme; a form of lyric poetry using elaborate, sophisticated vocabulary in iambic pentameter. It usually focuses upon a single object or person.0
4758417079Omniscient NarratorA narrator of a story that knows everything that is happening for every character: thoughts, action, etc.1
4758417080Onomatopoeiathe use of a word to represent or to imitate natural sounds. EN: sizzle, buzz, pop, hiss2
4758417081Oxymorontechnique used to produce an effect by a seeming self-contradiction. EX: cruel kindness, make haste slowly3
4758417082Parablea short story to prove a point with a moral basis (New Testament stories by Christ)4
4758417083Paradoxa statement which contains seemingly contradictory elements or appears contrary to common sense, yet can be seen as perhaps true when viewed from another angle5
4758417084Parallel Structurea repetition of sentences using the same structure.6
4758417085Parallelismthe repetition of syntactical similarities in passages closely connected for rhetorical effect. The repetitive structure lends wit or emphasis to the meanings of the separate clauses, thus being particularly effective in antithesis.7
4758417086Paraphrasea restatement of an idea in such a way as to retain the meaning while changing the diction and form8
4758417087Parodyludicrous imitation, usually for comic effect but sometimes for ridicule, of the style and content of another work. The humor depends upon the reader's familiarity with the original. A literary work that imitates the style of another literary work. A parody can be simply amusing or it can be mocking in tone, such as a poem which exaggerates the use of alliteration in order to show the ridiculous effect of overuse.9

AP Literature Terms-Prose Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
3831390867AtmosphereThe feeling or emotional mood of a piece. Conveyed through the descriptions, settings and objects.0
3831390868ColloquialCasual slang, not necessarily grammatically correct or in the dictionary.1
3831390869ConnotationThe informal definition of a word, with the associations it conjures. Connotation can be positive, negative or neutral.2
3831390870DenotationStrict dictionary definition.3
3831390871DialectA form a language particular to a specific area.4
3831390872DialogueThe things the characters say in a book, movie, story or play.5
3831390873DictionThe way a word is used in writing.6
3831390874EpigramThe text placed by an author before the book, usually a supplementary poem fragment or saying.7
3831390875InvectiveInsulting or abusive.8
3831390876InversionReversing the pattern or relationship of things.9
3831390877Dramatic IronyA developed incongruity understood by the audience but not by the characters.10
3831390878Situation IronyWhen actions have an effect that is the opposite of the intended effect.11
3831390879Verbal IronyUsing words that mean the opposite of the intended meaning for humorous effect.12
3831390880MoodThe predominant expression or emotion in a work of literature.13
3831390881ParadoxA situation composed of two opposite things at the same time.14
3831390882ProverbA brief popular saying about how to live life.15
3831390883PunWhen more than one meaning is suggested, with humorous intent.16
3831390884SarcasmUsing words that mean the opposite of what you want to say, for humorous effect or to show irritation.17
3831390885SatireA work parodying and scorning human vices and follies.18
3831390886SlangInformal words used in everyday conversation.19
3831390887ToneThe feeling exuded by the word used in a work of literature.20
3831390888VoiceThe quality and sound of a writer's writing voice.21
3831390889AnecdoteA short retelling of an interesting, minor event.22
3831390890AnticlimaxA resolution without a climax, designed to disappoint or upset the reader's expectations.23
3831390891CharacterAn individual in a story.24
3831390892FlashbackWhen the story jumps backward, to a time before the story's current point.25
3831390893IncidentAn event in a story.26
3831390894MotivationThe cause of a character's actions.27
3831390895Narrative voiceThe voice telling the story to the reader.28
3831390896First PersonA character tells the story. Uses "I".29
3831390897ObjectiveAn unbiased, balanced narrator that simply tells the events as they happened.30
3831390898OmniscientAn all-knowing narrator.31
3831390899LimitedA narrator that is less than omniscient.32
3831390900Third personSomeone above the whole story tells it. Often, they are disembodied.33
3831390901UnlimitedAn omnisicent narrator. They know everything and everyone.34

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