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5464136720der Hund0
5464136721die Puppe1
5464136722der Delphin2
5464136723der Drache3
5464136724die Trommel4
5464136725der Bär5
5464136726die Katze6
5464136727Koala7
5464136728das Känguruh8
5464136729der Adler9
5464136730der Elefant10
5464136731der Alligator11
5464136732der Biber12
5464136733die Maus13
5464136734der Pinguin14
5464136735der Fuchs15
5464136736das Nashorn16
5464136737der Tiger17
5464136738der Löwe18
5464136739der Mantel19
5464136740die Jacke20
5464136741der Anzug21
5464136742der Pullover22
5464136743die Unterwäsche23
5464136744die Hose24
5464136745der Rock25
5464136746der Gürtel26
5464136747die Wäsche27
5464136748der Garten28
5464136749die Wand29
5464136750die Tür30
5464136751das Dach31
5464136752das Wohnzimmer32
5464136753das Fenster33
5464136754die Küche34
5464136755die Toilette35
5464136756das Schlafzimmer36
5464136757der Keller37
5464136758das Badezimmer38
5464136759der Spiegel39
5464136760die Möbel40
5464136761der Tisch41
5464136763das Bett42
5464136764der Schrank43
5464136767der Kühlschrank44
5464136769das Fernsehen45
5464136770das Radio46
5464136771das Telefon47
5464136772das Hemd48
5464136773der Stern49
5464136774die Sonne50
5464136775der Mond51
5464136776die Erde52
5464136779das Wetter53
5464136780der Regen54
5464136781der Schnee55
5464136782der Sturm56
5464136783die Wolke57
5464136785die See58
5464136786das Meer59
5464136788der Fluß60
5464136789die Insel61
5464136790der Berg62
5464136791der Wald63
5464136792der Baum64
5464136793die Blume65
5464136794das Gras66
5464136795der Stein67
5464136803rot68
5464136804blau69
5464136805gelb70
5464136806violett71
5464136807grün72
5464136808braun73
5464136809schwarz74
5464136811grau75
5464136812golden76
5464136813silbern77
5464136840das Flugzeug78
5464136842der Park79
5464136843die Brücke80
5464136844das Krankenhaus81
5464136847die Bibliothek82
5464136848die Tankstelle83
5464136849die Bank84
5464136851die Bäckerei85
5464136852die Fleischer86
5464136855der Supermarkt87
5464136857das Büro88
5464136858das Hotel89
5464136859die Schule90
5464136860der Zug91

AP English Literature Terms Flashcards

sources of definitions are The Princeton Review (TPR) and Barron's AP study guides

Terms : Hide Images
4741302156abstractan abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research0
4741302157adagea saying/proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language1
4741302158allegorya story in which the narrative/characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical or possibly an ethical meaning2
4741302159alliterationthe repetition of one or more initial consonant in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose. writers use this for ornament or for emphasis3
4741302160allusiona reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea4
4741302161ambiguitya vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation5
4741302162anachronisma person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time/era in which the work is set6
4741302163analogya comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things7
4741302164annotationa brief explanation,summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature8
4741302165antagonista character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict9
4741302166antithesisa rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences10
4741302167aphorisma short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment11
4741302168Apollonianin contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior12
4741302169apostrophea locution that addresses a person/personified thing not present13
4741302170archetypean abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model/form14
4741302171assonancethe repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose15
4741302172ballada simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited; a long narrative poem, usually in very regular meter and rhyme, typically has a naive folksy quality16
4741302173barda poet, in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment17
4741302174bathosthe use of insincere or overdone sentimentality18
4741302175belle-lettresthe French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general19
4741302176bibliographya list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work20
4741302177Bildungsromana German word referring to a novel dealing with the formative years of a character; a coming of age story21
4741302178blank versepoetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton. Its lines generally do not rhyme22
4741302179bombastinflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects23
4741302180burlesquea work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation; a broad parody and exaggerates it into ridiculousness24
4741302181cacophonygrating, inharmonious sounds25
4741302182caesuraa pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always marked by punctuation)26
4741302183canonthe works considered most important in national literature or period; works widely read and studied27
4741302184caricaturea grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things; a portrait that exaggerates a facet of personality28
4741302185carpe diem"seize the day"29
4741302186catharsisa cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy30
4741302187classica highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time, similar to canon31
4741302188classicismderiving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity and restraint32
4741302189climaxthe high point, or turning point, of a story/play33
4741302190novela tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. the character may develop understanding via disillusionment, education, doses of reality, or any other experiences that alter his/her emotional/intellectual maturity. e.g. Invisible Man34
4741302191conceita witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language; a startling or unusual metaphor, or a metaphor developed and expanded upon several lines35
4741302192anticlimaxthis occurs when an action produces far smaller results than one had been led to expect, it is frequently comic in effect36
4741302193antiheroa protagonist who is markedly unheroic: morally weak, cowardly, dishonest, or any number of other unsavory qualities37
4741302194asidea speech (usually just a short comment) made by an actor to the audience, as though momentarily stepping outside of the action on stage38
4741302195aspecta trait of characteristic, as in "an aspect of the dew drop"39
4741302196atmospherethe emotional tone or background that surrounds a scene40
4741302197black humorthis is the use of disturbing themes in comedy. e.g. two tramps comically debating over which should commit suicide first, and whether the branches of a tree will support their weight41
4741302198cadencethe beat or rhythm of poetry in a general sense42
4741302199cantois a divider in long poems, much like chapters in a novel43
4741302200coinagea.k.a. neologism, inventing a word44
4741302201colloquialismthis is a word or phrase used in everyday conversational English that isn't a part of accepted "schoolbook" English45
4741302202controlling imagewhen an image dominates and shapes the entire work46
4741302203metaphysical conceita type of conceit that occurs only in metaphysical poetry47
4741302204connotationthe suggest or implied meaning of a word/phrase48
4741302205consonancethe repetition of two or more consonant sounds within a group of words or a line of poetry49
4741302206coupleta pair of lines that end in rhyme50
4741302207heroic couplettwo rhyming lines in iambic pentameter are called this51
4741302208denotationthe literal, dictionary definition of a word52
4741302209denouementthe resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work or fiction53
4741302210deus ex machinain literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem54
4741302211Dionysianas distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure seeking impulses55
4741302212dictionthe choice of words in oral and written discourse56
4741302213syntaxthe ordering and structuring of the words in a sentence57
4741302214dirgea song for the dead, its tone is typically slow, heavy, and melancholy58
4741302215dissonancethe grating of incompatible sounds59
4741302216doggerelcrude, simplistic verse, often in sing-song rhyme60
4741302217dramatic ironywhen the audience knows something that the characters in the drama do not61
4741302218dramatic monologuewhen a single speaker in literature says something to a silent audience62
4741302219elegya poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing/death of something/someone of value63
4741302220elementsthe basic techniques of each genre of literature. IN SHORT STORY: characters, irony, theme, symbol, plot, setting. IN POETRY: figurative language, symbol, imagery, rhythm, rhyme. IN DRAMA: conflict, characters, climax, conclusion, exposition, rising action, falling action, props. IN NONFICTION: argument, evidence, reason, appeals, fallacies, thesis.64
4741302221ellipsisthree periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation65
4741302222empathya feeling of association or identification with an object/person66
4741302223end stoppeda term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation67
4741302224enjambmentthe continuation of a syntactic unit from one line or couplet of a poem to the next with no pause68
4741302225epican extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure69
4741302226mock epica parody form that deals with mundane events and ironically treats them as worthy of epic poetry70
4741302227epitaphlines that commemorate the dead at their burial place. usually a line or handful of lines, often serious or religious, but sometimes witty and even irreverent71
4741302228epigrama concise but ingenious, witty and thoughtful statement72
4741302229euphonywhen sounds blend harmoniously; pleasing, harmonious sounds73
4741302230epithetan adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing74
4741302231eponymousa term for the title character of a work of literature75
4741302232euphemisma mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term76
4741302233exegesisa detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature77
4741302234exposea piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other short comings78
4741302235explicitto say or write something directly and clearly79
4741302236explicationthe interpretation/analysis of a text80
4741302237extended metaphora series of comparisons between two unlike objects that occur over a number of lines81
4741302238fablea short tale often featuring nonhuman character that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior. i.e Orwell's "Animal Farm"82
4741302239falling actionthe action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict83
4741302240fantasya story containing unreal, imaginary features84
4741302241farcea comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose85
4741302242figurative languagein contrast to literal language, this implies meanings. It includes devices such as metaphors, similes, and personification, etc.86
4741302243foila secondary character whose purpose is to highlight the characteristics of a main character, usually by contrast87
4741302244first person narrativea narrative told by a character involved in the story, using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we"88
4741302245flashbacka return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present actions or circumstances i.e. Invisible Man89
4741302246foreshadowingan event or statement in a narrative that suggests, in miniature, a larger event that comes later90
4741302247footthe basic rhythmic unit of a line in poetry. it is formed by a combination of two or three syllables, either stressed or unstressed91
4741302248framea structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative92
4741302249free versea kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm or fixed metrical feet93
4741302250genrea term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay94
4741302251Gothic novela novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terror pervades the action. i.e. "Frankenstein"95
4741302252haranguea forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade96
4741302253hubristhe excessive pride/ambition that leads to the main character's downfall97
4741302254hyperboleexaggeration/deliberate overstatement98
4741302255humanisma belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity99
4741302256implicitto say or write something that suggests and implies but never says it directly or clearly100
4741302257in medias resLatin for "in the midst of things"; a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point101
4741302258idylla lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place102
4741302259imagea word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled or felt103
4741302260inversionswitching customary order of elements in a sentence or phrase. when done badly it can give a stilted, artificial look-at-me-I'm-poetry feel to the verse. type of syntax104
4741302261ironya mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm105
4741302262invectivea direct verbal assault; a denunciation. i.e. Candide106
4741302263kenninga device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions/qualities, as in "ring-giver" for king and "wale-road" for ocean107
4741302264lamenta poem of sadness or grief over the death of a loved one or over some other intense loss108
4741302265lampoona satire109
4741302266light versea variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, butt sometimes with a satirical thrust110
4741302267loose sentencea sentence that is complete before its end. follows customary word order of English sentences i.e. subject-verb-object111
4741302268periodic sentencea sentence not grammatically complete until it has reached its final phrase; sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main thought only at the end112
4741302269lyricpersonal, reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject; the word is used to describe tone, it refers to a sweet, emotional melodiousness113
4741302270melodramaa form of cheesy theater in which the hero is very, very good, the villain mean and rotten, and the heroine oh-so-pure.114
4741302271litotesa form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity115
4741302272maxima saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth116
4741302273metaphora figure of speech that compares unlike objects117
4741302274metaphysical poetrythe work of poets, particularly those of 17th c., that uses elaborate conceits, is highly intellectual, and expresses the complexities of love and life118
4741302275meterthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry119
4741302276metonymya figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. e.g. "The White House says..."120
4741302277modethe general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a work of literature121
4741302278montagea quick succession of images/impressions used to express an idea122
4741302279moodthe emotional tone in a work of literature123
4741302280nemesisthe protagonist's archenemy or supreme and persistent difficulty124
4741302281objectivitythis treatment of a subject matter is an impersonal/outside view of events125
4741302282subjectivitythis treatment of a subject matter uses the interior/personal view of a single observer and is typically colored with that observer's emotional responses126
4741302283onomatopoeiawords that sound like what they mean127
4741302284morala brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature128
4741302285motifa phrase, idea, event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature.129
4741302286museone of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. the imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer130
4741302287mythan imaginary story that has become accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group/society. often used to explain natural phenomena.131
4741302288narrativea form of verse or prose that tells a story132
4741302289naturalisma term often used as a synonym for "realism"; also a view of experiences that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic133
4741302290non sequitura statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before134
4741302291novel of mannersa novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group135
4741302292odea lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful and exalted feelings toward the subject.136
4741302293omniscient narratora narrator with unlimited awareness, understanding, and insight of characters, setting, background, and all other elements of the story137
4741302294oxymorona phrase composed of opposites; a contradiction. juxtaposition of contradictory element to create a paradoxical effect138
4741302295oppositionone of the most useful concepts in analyzing literature. it means that you have a pair of elements that contrast sharply.139
4741302296ottava rimaan eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem140
4741302297parablelike a fable or an allegory, it's a story that instructs; a story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived141
4741302298paradoxa statement that seems self-contradictory yet true142
4741302299parallelismrepeated syntactical similarities used for effect143
4741302300parodyan imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject144
4741302301paraphrasea version of a text put into simpler, everyday, words145
4741302302pastorala work of literature dealing with rural life146
4741302303pathetic fallacyfaulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects147
4741302304pathosthat element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow148
4741302305pentametera verse with five poetic feet per line149
4741302306personathe role/facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader, viewer, or the world at large; the narrator in a non-first-person novel150
4741302307personificationgiving an inanimate object human like qualities or form151
4741302308plotthe interrelationship among the events in a story, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution152
4741302309picaresque novelan episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. e.g. "Don Quixote", "Moll Flanders"153
4741302310plainta poem or speech expressing sorrow154
4741302311point of viewthe perspective from which the action of a novel in presented.155
4741302312omniscient narrator3rd person narrator who sees like God into each character's mind and understands all the action going on.156
4741302313limited omniscient narrator3rd person narrator who generally reports only what one character (usually the main) sees, and who only reports the thoughts of that one privileged character.157
4741302314objective narrator3rd person narr. who only reports on what would be visible to a camera, doesn't know what the character is thinking unless the character speaks of it.158
4741302315first person narratorthis is a narrator who is a character in the story and tells the tale from his/her POV. when the narrator is crazy, a liar, very young, or for some reason not entirely credible, the narrator is "unreliable"159
4741302316prosodythe grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry160
4741302317protagonistthe main character in a work of literature161
4741302318preludean introductory poem to a longer work of verse162
4741302319punthe usually humorous use of a word in such a way to suggest two or more meanings163
4741302320pseudonymalso called "pen name", a false name or alias used by writers. i.e Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) George Orwell (Eric Blair)164
4741302321quatriana four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem165
4741302322refraina line or set of lines repeated several times over the course of a poem166
4741302323requiema song of prayer for the dead167
4741302324realismthe depiction of people, things, and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect168
4741302325rhetoricthe language of a work and its style; words, often highly emotional, used to convince or sway an audience169
4741302326rhetorical questiona question that suggests an answer. in theory, the effect is that it causes the listener to feel they have come up with the answer themselves170
4741302327rhapsodyan intensely passionate verse or section of verse, usually of love or praise171
4741302328rhymethe repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals, used mostly in poetry172
4741302329rhyme schemethe patterns of rhymes within a given poem i.e. abba173
4741302330rhythmthe pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry. similar to meter174
4741302331romancean extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places175
4741302332sarcasma sharp, caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt176
4741302333satirea literary style used to poke fun at, attack or ridicule an idea, vice, or foible, often for the purpose of inducing change. great subjects for this include hypocrisy, vanity and greed, especially if those characteristics have become institutionalized in society177
4741302334similefigurative comparison using the words "like" or "as"178
4741302335settingthe total environment for the action in a novel/play. it includes time, place, historical milieu, and social, political and even spiritual circumstances179
4741302336sentimentala term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish180
4741302337sentimenta synonym for "view" or "feeling"; also refined and tender emotion in literature181
4741302338scansionthe act of determining the meter of a poetic line.182
4741302339sonneta popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme. two types: Shakespearean and Petrarchan183
4741302340soliloquya speech spoken by a character alone on stage. meant to convey the impression that the audience is listening to the character's THOUGHTS. unlike an aside, it is not meant to imply that the actor acknowledges the audience's presence184
4741302341stanzaa group of lines in verse, roughly analogous in function to the paragraph in prose; a group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter, rhyme, or some other plan185
4741302342stream of consciousnessa style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind, e.g. Ernest Hemingway186
4741302343stock charactersstandard or cliched character types: the drunk, the miser, the foolish girl, etc.187
4741302344suggestto imply, infer indicate. goes along with the concept of implicit188
4741302345stylethe manner in which an author uses and arranges words, shapes ideas, forms sentences and creates a structure to convey ideas189
4741302346subplota subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play, usually connected to the main plot190
4741302347subtextthe implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature191
4741302348summarya simple retelling of what you've just read. what you DON'T want to do in the Open Essay section :)192
4741302349symbolisma device in literature where an object represents an idea193
4741302350synecdochea figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole or the whole signifies the part194
4741302351themethe main idea or meaning, often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built195
4741302352thesisthe main position of an argument. the central contention that will be supported196
4741302353tonethe author's attitude toward the subject being written about. it's the characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work197
4741302354tragic flawin a tragedy, this is the weakness of a character in an otherwise good individual that ultimately leads to his demise198
4741302355tragedya form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish, or even death199
4741302356travestya grotesque parody200
4741302357truisma way-too-obvious truth201
4741302358utopiaan idealized place. imaginary communities in which people are able to live in happiness, prosperity and peace. Sir Thomas More came up with this idea.202
4741302359verbal ironya discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words203
4741302360versea synonym for poetry. also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry204
4741302361verisimilitudesimilar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is205
4741302362versificationthe structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. i.e. monometer = 1 foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet, etc.206
4741302363villanellea French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of 19 lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes207
4741302364voicethe real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker. a verb is in the active voice when it expresses an action performed by its subject. a verb is in the passive voice when it expresses an action performed upon its subject or when the subject is the result of the action. Active: The crew raked the leaves. Passive: The leaves were raked by the crew.208
4741302365witthe quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that surprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene209
4741302366zeugmathe use of a word to modify two or more words, but used for different meanings. "He close the door and his heart on his lost love."210
4741302367anastropheinversion of the natural or usual word order211
4741302368parenthesisinsertion of some verbal unit in a position that interrupts the normal syntactical flow of the sentence212
4741302369appositionplacing side by side two coordinate elements, the second of which serves as an explanation or modification of the first. "The mountain was the earth, her home."213
4741302370ellipsisdeliberate omission of a word or words which are readily implied by context214
4741302371asyndetondeliberate omission of conjunctions between a series of related clauses. used to produce a hurried rhythm in the sentence.215
4741302372polysyndetonthe deliberate use of many conjunctions. its effect is to slow down the rhythm of the sentence216
4741302373anaphorarepetition of the same words or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses. e.g. "I have a dream..."217
4741302374epistropherepetition of the same word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses "When we first came we were very many and you were very few. Now you are many and we are getting very few."218
4741302375epanalepsisrepetition at the end of a clause of the word that occurred at the beginning of the clause. "Blood hat bought blood, and blows have answer'd blows"219
4741302376anadiplosisrepetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause. "The crime was common, common be the pain."220
4741302377climaxthe arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of importance221
4741302378antimetabolerepetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order. "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."222
4741302379chiasmusreversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses. "Exalts his enemies, his friends destroys."223
4741302380polyptotonrepetition of words derived from the same root. "But in this desert country they may see the land being rendered USELESS by OVERUSE."224
4741302381antanaclasisrepetition of a word in two different senses. "Your argument is sound, nothing but sound."225
4741302382paronomasiause of words alike in sound but different in meaning. "ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a GRAVE man."226
4741302383syllepsisthe use of a word understood differently in relation to two or more other words, which it modifies/governs. "The ink, like our pig, keeps running out of the pen."227
4741302384anthimeriathe substitution of one part of speech for another "I'll UNHAIR they head."228
4741302385periphrasissubstitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name or of a proper name for a quality associated with the name. "They do not escape JIM CROW; they merely encounter another, not less deadly variety."229
4741302386autobiographyan account of a person's own life230
4741302387dialecta way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region/group of people231
4741302388epiphanyin a literary work, a moment of sudden insight/revelation that a character experiences232
4741302389essaya short piece of non-fiction prose that examines a single subject from a limited POV233
4741302390suspensethe uncertainty/anxiety we feel about what is going to happen next in a story234

AP Language Vocabulary Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
5164079933Repetitiona word or phrase used two or more times in close proximity0
5164081261Rhetorical Questiona question that does not expect an explicit answer1
5164083215Colloquialisma word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing, but that is often in appropriate in formal writing2
5164087178Allusiona brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers3
5164095051Anaphorathe repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses4
5164101583Anecdotea very short story that is significant to the topic at hand; usually adding personal knowledge or experience to the topic5
5164105095Imagerydescription that focuses on the five senses6
5164106642Hyperbolean extreme exaggeration7
5164107814Understatementwhen a speaker or writer makes something seem less important than it truly is8
5164110284Polysyndetonuse of coordinating conjunctions like "and", "or", "but" and "nor" to join successive words, phrases or clauses in such a way that these conjunctions are even used where they might have been omitted9
5164118792Asydetonwords in a list are separated by commas and no conjunctions are used to join the words in a list10
5164124270Antithesisthe juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, often in parallel structure. the contrast may be in words or idea or both11
5164131610Oxymoronthe joining of two terms which are ordinarily contradictory12
5164133888Paradoxan apparently contradictory statement that nevertheless contains a measure of truth13

AP Pscyhology Chapter 9: Thinking and Language Flashcards

Psychology Ninth Edition by David Myers. Chapter 9: Thinking and Language Vocabulary.

Terms : Hide Images
778489196cognitionthe mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.0
778489197concepta mental grouping of similar objects, events, ideas, or people.1
778489198prototypea mental image or best example of a category. Matching new items to a prototype provide a quick and easy method for sorting items into categories (as when comparing feathered creatures to a prototypical bird, such as a robin).2
778489199algorithma methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem. Contrasts with the usually speedier -- but also more error-prone -- use of heuristics.3
778489200heuristica simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently; usually speedier but also more error-prone than algorithms.4
778489201insighta sudden and often novel realization of the solution to a problem; it contrasts with strategy-based solutions.5
778489202confirmation biasa tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence.6
778489203fixationthe inability to see a problem from a new perspective, by employing a different mental set.7
778489204mental seta tendency to approach a problem in a particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past.8
778489205functional fixednessthe tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions; an impediment to problem solving.9
778489206representativeness heuristicjudging the likelihood of things in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes; may lead one to ignore other relevant information.10
778489207availability heuristicestimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory; if instances come readily to mind (perhaps because of their vividness), we presume such events are common.11
778489208overconfidencethe tendency to be more confident than correct - to overestimate the accuracy of our beliefs and judgments.12
778489209belief perseveranceclinging to one's initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited.13
778489210intuitionan effortless, immediate, automatic feeling or thought, as contrasted with explicit, conscious reasoning.14
778489211framingthe way an issue is posed; how an issue is framed can significantly affect decisions and judgments.15
778489212languageour spoken, written, or signed words and the ways we combine them to communicate meaning.16
778489213phonemein language, the smallest distinctive sound unit.17
778489214morphemein a language, the smallest unit that carries meaning; may be a word or a part of a word (such as a prefix).18
778489215grammarin language, a system of rules that enables us to communicate with and understand others.19
778489216semanticsthe set of rules by which we derive meaning from morphemes, words, and sentences in a given language; also, the study of meaning.20
778489217syntaxthe rules for combining words into grammatically sensible sentences in a given language.21
778489218babbling stagebeginning at about 4 months, the stage of speech development in which the infant spontaneously utters various sounds at first unrelated to the household language.22
778489219one-word stagethe stage in speech development, from about age 1 to 2, during which a child speaks mostly in single words.23
778489220two-word stagebeginning about age 2, the stage in speech development during which a child speaks mostly two-word statements.24
778489221telegraphic speechearly speech stage in which a child speaks like a telegram--'go car'--using mostly nouns and verbs.25
778489222aphasiaimpairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding).26
778489223Broca's areacontrols language expression - an area of the frontal lobe, usually in the left hemisphere, that directs the muscle movements involved in speech.27
778489224Wernicke's areacontrols language reception - a brain area involved in language comprehension and expression; usually in the left temporal lobe.28
778489225linguistic determinismWhorf's hypothesis that language determines the way we think.29

AP Literature Terms Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
6000584852Allegorystory or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities0
6000612386Alliterationrepetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together1
6000634921Allusionreference to someone or something that is known from history, literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or another branch of culture. An indirect reference to something (usually from literature etc.)2
6000619751AnalogyComparison made between two things to show how they are alike3
6000625820AnaphoraRepetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row4
6000651943AnecdoteBrief story, told to illustrate a point or serve as an example of something, often shows character of an individual5
6000660606AntagonistOpponent who struggles against or blocks the hero, or protagonist, in a story6
6000664006AntithesisBalancing words, phrases, or ideas that are strongly contrasted, often by means of grammatical structure.7
6000669859AphorismBrief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life, or of a principle or accepted general truth.8
6000676618Apostrophecalling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or to a place or thing, or a personifies abstract idea. If the character is asking a god or goddess for inspiration it is called invocation9
6000690173Assonancethe repetition of similar vowel sounds followed by different consonant sounds especially in words that are together10
6000695644Clicheis a word or phrase, often a figure os speech, that has become lifeless because of overuse.11
6000700964Conceitan elaborate metaphor that compares two things that are startlingly different. Often an extended metaphor12
6000704537Connotationthe associations and emotional overtones that have become attached to a word of phrase, in addition to it's strict dictionary definition13
6000712373Couplettwo consecutive rhyming lines of poetry14
6000719480Dictiona speaker or writers choice os words15
6000721886Elegya poem of mourning, usually about someone who has died16
6000725597Epithetan adjective or adjective phrase applied to a person or thing that is frequently used to emphasize a characteristic quality. ie: "Father of our country"17
6000734304Farcea type of comedy in which ridiculous and often stereotyped characters are involved in silly, far-fetched situations18
6000754187Figurative LanguageWords in which are inaccurate if interpreted literally, but are used to describe. ie: Similes and Metaphors19
6000761183Flashbacka scene that interrupts the normal chronological sequence of events in a story to depict something that happened at an earlier time20
6000770916Foila character who acts as contracts to another character. Often a funny side kick to the dashing hero, or a villain contrasting the hero21
6000781388Foreshadowingthe use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in the plot22
6000786331Hyperbolea figure of speech that uses an incredible exaggeration or overstatement, for effect. "If I've told you once I've told you a million times"23
6000792184Imagerythe use of language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience24
6000797623Inversionthe reversal of the normal word order in a sentence or phrase25
6000801572Ironya discrepancy between appearances and reality26
6000807145Verbal Ironyoccurs when someone says one thing but really means something else27
6000809024Situational Ironytakes place when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen, or what would be appropriate to happen, and what really does happens28
6000817870Dramatic Ironyis so called because it is often used on stage. A character in the play or story thinks one thing is true, but that audience or reader knows better29
6000828176JuxtapositionDevice in which normally unassociated ides, words, or phrases are placed next to one another, creating an effect of surprise and wit30
6000835135Lyric Poema poem that does not tell a story but expresses the personal feelings or thoughts of the speaker31
6000842887Metaphora figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without the use of such specific words of comparison as like, an, than, or resembles32
6000907018Extended Metaphoris a metaphor that is extended or developed as far as the writer wants to take it33
6000909251Metonymya figure of speech in which a person, place, or thing, is referred to by something closely associated with it. ie: "We asked for the support of the crown to fund us." - the crown being the monarchy34
6000909252Moodan atmosphere created by a writers diction and the details selected35
6000909253Motifa reoccurring image, word, phrase, action, idea, object, or situation used throughout a work (or in several works by one author) unifying the work by tying the current situation to previous ones, or new ideas to the theme36
6000909254Onomatopeathe use of words whose sounds echo their sense ie: "pop" "zap"37
6000911389Oxymorona figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase. ie: "pretty ugly"38
6000911390Paradoxa statement that appears self-contradictory, but that revels a certain kind of truth39
6000913110Parallel Structure(parallelism) the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structures40
6000914408Personificationa figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes41
6000915928Puna "play on words" based on the multiple meanings of a single world or on words that sound alike but mean different things42
6000915929Refraina word, phrase, line, or group of lines that is repeated, for effect, several times in the poem43
6000915930Rhythuma rise and fall of the voice produced by the alternation of stressed and unstressed syllables in language44
6000917926Rhetorical Questiona question asked for an effect, and not actually requiring an answer45
6000919219Satirea type of writing that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about change46
6000920679Similea figure of speech that makes an explicitly comparison between two unlike things, using words such as like, as, than, or resembles47
6000920680Soliloquya long speech made by a character in a play whole no other characters are on stage48
6000923135Stylea distinctive way in which a writer uses language ie: diction, tone, syntax49
6000923136Symbola person, place, or event that has a meaning in itself and that also stands for something more thanitself50
6000924510Synecdochea figure of speech in which a part represents the whole51
6000926309Themethe insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work52
6000926310Tonethe attitude a writer takes toward the subject of a work, the characters in it, or the audience, revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization53
6000927696Understatementa statement that says less than what is meant54

AP Literature Midterm Vocab Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
5897050184Deus ex Machinaan unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation, especially as a contrived plot device in a play or novel.0
5897054006Catharsisthe process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.1
5897055409anagnorisisa moment in a play or other work when a character makes a critical discovery2
5897058256Equiviocationthe use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself3
5897062443Peripeteiaa sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances, especially in reference to fictional narrative4
5897062444Allusiona brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance.5
5897062445Hamartiaa fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine.6
5897063580Tragic Flawa literary device that can be defined as a trait in a character leading to his downfall and the character is often the hero of the literary piece. This trait could be the lack of self-knowledge, lack of judgment and often it is hubris7
5897063581Hubrisexcessive pride or self-confidence8
5897064998Soliloquyan act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play9
5897064999Asidea remark or passage by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play.10
5897066263Tragedy (dramatic)a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character.11
5897066264ExeuntUsed as a stage direction to indicate that two or more performers leave the stage12
5897067068Iambic PentameterIn a line of poetry, an iamb is a foot or beat consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, or a short syllable followed by a long syllable13
5897067069Blank Versea literary device defined as un-rhyming verse written in iambic pentameter. In poetry and prose, it has a consistent meter with 10 syllables in each line (pentameter); where, unstressed syllables are followed by stressed ones and five of which are stressed but do not rhyme.14
5897067998Heroic Coupleta traditional form for English poetry, commonly used in epic and narrative poetry, and consisting of a rhyming pair of lines in iambic pentameter.15
5897067999Versedenotes a single line of poetry. The term can also be used to refer to a stanza or other parts of poetry. Generally, the device is stated to encompass three possible meanings, namely a line of metrical writing, a stanza, or, a piece written in meter.16
5897068000Prosea form of language that has no formal metrical structure. It applies a natural flow of speech, and ordinary grammatical structure rather than rhythmic structure, such as in the case of traditional poetry.17
5897070931Dramatic Foila character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character.18
5897071865Revenge Tragedya form of tragedy that focuses on the protagonist's plight for revenge, usually for the death of a close relative.19
5897074072History (Shakespeare)a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account20
5897074073Comedy (Shakespeare)a literary genre and a type of dramatic work that is amusing and satirical in its tone, mostly having cheerful ending. The motif of this dramatic work is triumph over unpleasant circumstance by which to create comic effects, resulting in happy or successful conclusion.21
5897075587Romance (Shakespeare)In traditional literary terms, a narration of the extraordinary exploits of heroes, often in exotic or mysterious settings, has also been used for stories of mysterious adventures, not necessarily of heroes.22
5897075588High Comedya type of comedy characterized by witty dialogue, satire, biting humor, or criticism of life. Today, this can be seen among sitcoms and talk shows targeted at cultured and articulate audiences.23
5897076240Low Comedya dramatic or literary form of entertainment with no primary purpose but to create laughter by boasting, boisterous jokes, drunkenness, scolding, fighting, buffoonery and other riotous activity. It is also characterized by "horseplay", slapstick or farce.24
5897076241Equivocationan informal logical fallacy. It is the misleading use of a term with more than one meaning or sense. It generally occurs with polysemic words (words with multiple meanings).25
5897076947Farcea literary genre and the type of a comedy that makes the use of highly exaggerated and funny situations aimed at entertaining the audience. It is also a subcategory of dramatic comedy that is different from other forms of comedy, as it only aims at making the audience laugh.26
5897076948Comic Reliefthe inclusion of a humorous character, scene, or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.27
5897076949Romantic ComedyThis type of drama involves the theme of love leading to happy conclusion.28
5897077881Satirea technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule. It intends to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles29
5897079099Dramatic Ironya form of irony that is expressed through a work's structure: an audience's awareness of the situation in which a work's characters exist differs substantially from that of the characters', and the words and actions of the characters therefore take on a different—often contradictory30
5897079100Imageryto use figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses.31
5897079101StanzaIn poetry, a division of four or more lines having a fixed length, meter or rhyming scheme, similar to paragraphs in prose.32
5897080077AnaphoraIn writing or speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect33
5897080078Similea figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, it draws resemblance with the help of the words "like" or "as". Therefore, it is a direct comparison.34
5897081462Metaphora figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics. In other words, a resemblance of two contradictory or different objects is made based on a single or some common characteristics.35
5897082130Implied Metaphora type of metaphor that compares two unlike things, but it does so without mentioning one of them. Instead, it implies the comparison by using a word or phrase that describes the unmentioned term and makes the comparison in that way.36
5897082956Extended Metaphora comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph or lines in a poem. It is often comprised of more than one sentence and sometimes consists of a full paragraph.37
5897082957Controlling Metaphora metaphore that dominates or controls an entire literary piece. This literary device is frequently seen in poetry. It is similar to an extended metaphor, which extends over a large portion, but not all, of a literary piece38
5897084123Synecdochea figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa,39
5897084124Metonomythe substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant,40
5897085402Personificationthe attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form41
5897085403Apostrophewhen a character in a literary work speaks to an object, an idea, or someone who doesn't exist as if it is a living person. This is ...42
5897086328Overstatement/Hyperboleexaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally43
5897086329Understatementa figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is44
5897086330Litoteironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary45
5897087679Paradoxa statement that contradicts itself and still seems true somehow.46
5897087680Oxymorontwo contradictory words are together in one phrase47
5897088644Symbola mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process48
5897088645Literary/Contextual Symbola setting, character, action, object, name, or anything else in a work that maintains its literal significance while suggesting other meanings. They gain their meaning within the context of a specific story.49
5897089649Allegorya story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one50
5897089650Didactic Poetryis directly and unapologetically instructional or informational: it teaches or explains something such as a truth, a moral, a principle or a process51
5897090677Ironya figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a situation that may end up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated52
5897090678Situational Ironya literary device that you can easily identify in literary works. Simply, it occurs when incongruity appears between expectations of something to happen, and what actually happens instead. .53
5897092628Verbal Ironya person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning.54
5897093460Cosmic Ironythe idea that fate, destiny, or a god controls and toys with human hopes and expectations; also, the belief that the universe is so large and man is so small that the universe is indifferent to the plight of man55
5897096014Satiretechnique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule. It intends to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles.56
5897096015Settinga piece of literature is the time and place in which the story takes place, can also include social statuses, weather, historical period, and details about immediate surroundings, can be real or fictional, or a combination of both real and fictional elements.57
5897096016Stylethe way a writer writes and it is the technique which an individual author uses in his writing. It varies from author to author and depends upon one's syntax, word choice, and tone.58
5897096017Dictionstyle of speaking or writing determined by the choice of words by a speaker or a writer. This or choice of words separates good writing from bad writing.59
5897097360Syntaxdetermines how the chosen words are used to form a sentence. Most often than not, adopting a complex diction means a complex structure of sentences and vice versa.60
5897097361Tonean attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject. ... The tone can be formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, and cheerful or it may be any other existing attitudes.61
5897098868Sarcasmiterary and rhetorical device that is meant to mock with often satirical or ironic remarks with a purpose to amuse and hurt someone or some section of society simultaneously.62
5897098869Minimalisma style or technique that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity.63
5897106860Alliterationa stylistic literary device identified by the repeated sound of the first letter in a series of multiple words, or the repetition of the same letter sounds in stressed syllables of a phrase.64
5897106861Assonancethe repetition of a vowel sound or diphthong in non-rhyming words. To qualify, the words must be close enough for the repetition of the sound to be noticeable.65
5897106862Consonancerepetitive sounds produced by consonants within a sentence or phrase. This repetition often takes place in quick succession such as in pitter, patter.66
5897106863Mooda literary element that evokes certain feelings or vibes in readers through words and descriptions. Usually referred to as the atmosphere of a literary piece, as it creates an emotional situation that surrounds the readers.67
5897108531Denotationdefined as literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to its connotative or associated meanings.68
5897108532Connotationmeaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes explicitly69
5897109381Speakerthe voice behind the poem—the person we imagine to be saying the thing out loud.70
5897109382ParaphraseA restatement of speech or writing that retains the basic meaning while changing the words, often clarifies the original statement by putting it into words that are more easily understood.71
5897109383Themedefined as a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly.72
5897111581Lyric Poema fairly short poem which is the expression of strong feelings of thoughts or perceptions of a single speaker in a meditative manner73
5897111582Narrative Poemform of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well; the entire story is usually written in metered verse.74
5897113095Clicheexpression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty. May also refer to actions and events which are predictable because of some previous events.75
5897113811Marxist Criticismloose term describing literary criticism based on socialist and dialectic theories. Criticism views literary works as reflections of the social institutions from which they originate.76
5897113812Postcolonial Criticismacademic discipline that analyzes, explains, and responds to the cultural legacy of colonialism and imperialism.77
5897115636Mythological Criticisma critical approach or technique that seeks mythic meaning or imagery in literature, looking beyond the immediate context of the work in time and place.78
5897115637Archetypesa typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature79
5897117247Reader-Response Criticismliterary theory that focuses on the reader (or "audience") and their experience of a literary work, in contrast to other schools and theories that focus attention primarily on the author or the content and form of the work80
5897118178Deconstructionisma paradox about a paradox: It assumes that all discourse, even all historical narrative, is essentially disguised self-revelatory messages81
5897119667Post-Modernismliterature which is marked, both stylistically and ideologically, by a reliance on such literary conventions as fragmentation, paradox, unreliable narrators, often unrealistic and downright impossible plots, games, parody, paranoia, dark humor and authorial self-reference82
5897119668Personameans the mask of an actor, and is therefore etymologically linked to the dramatis personae which refers to the list of characters and cast in a play or a drama. It is also known as a theatrical mask.83
5897120536Ambiguitya word, phrase, or statement which contains more than one meaning84
5897120537Dramatic Monologuea poem in the form of a speech or narrative by an imagined person, in which the speaker inadvertently reveals aspects of their character while describing a particular situation or series of events.85
5897123672Carpe Diema common moral or theme in classical literature that the reader should make the most out of life and should enjoy it before it ends.86
5897125578Poetic Dictionterm used to refer to the linguistic style, the vocabulary, and the metaphors used in the writing of poetry87
5897125579Formal Dictionproper, elevated, and elaborate language characterized by complex words and a lofty tone88
5897125580Middle Dictioncorrect language and word order without elaborate words or a lofty tone89
5897127419Informal Dictionrelaxed, conversational, colloquial, or substandard language90
5897127420Colloquilaismis the use of informal words, phrases or even slang in a piece of writing91
5897128318DialectThe language used by the people of a specific area, class, district or any other group of people, involves the spelling, sounds, grammar and pronunciation used by a particular group of people and it distinguishes them from other people around them92
5897129685MotifA phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature.93
5897129686Monologuethe speech or verbal presentation that a single character presents in order to express his/her collection of thoughts and ideas aloud. Often this character addresses directly to audience or another character94
5897132439Asidewhen a character's dialogue is spoken but not heard by the other actors on the stage, useful for giving the audience special information about the other characters onstage or the action of the plot.95
5897133380FoilA minor character whose personality or attitude contrasts with that of the main character. Juxtaposing one character against another intensifies the qualities of both, to advantage or sometimes to disadvantage96
5897135098Conflicta literary element that involves a struggle between two opposing forces usually a protagonist and an antagonist.97
5897135099Four Types of ConflictPerson v Person, Person v Self, Person v Society, Person v Nature98
5897136345ExpositionThe background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature99
5897136346Status QuoLatin phrase meaning the existing state of affairs, particularly with regards to social or political issues. In the sociological sense, it generally applies to maintain or change existing social structure and values.100
5897137144Inciting Incidentthe event or decision that begins a story's problem. Everything up and until that moment is Backstory; everything after is "the story101
5897137145Rising Actiona series of relevant incidents that create suspense, interest and tension in a narrative102
5897137146ComplicationAn intensification of the conflict in a story or play.103
5897138193ClimaxThe high point, or turning point, or a story or play.104
5897138194Falling Actionthe part of a literary plot that occurs after the climax has been reached and the conflict has been resolved.105
5897138195Resolutionthe part of the story's plot line in which the problem of the story is resolved or worked out106
5897139448DenoumentThe resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction107
5897139449Ambiguouswords or statements lead to vagueness and confusion, and shape the basis for instances of unintentional humor.108
5897140234Vagueindefinite or indistinct in nature or character, as ideas or feelings109
5897140235in medias resA narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point110
5897141907FlashbackA return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances. It might also be a character's account of the past, a dream, or a sudden association with past events111
5897141908Characterone who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude:112
5897142970ForeshadowingProviding hints of things to come in a story or play.113
5897142971Suspensethe intense feeling that an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of certain events114
5897142972Protagonistthe leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text115
5897144180AntagonistA character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict116
5897145524Literary Analysisan argumentative analysis about a literary work. Although some summary is needed within the argument, the objective is not to write a report about a book or story.117
5897145525interpretationan explanation of the meaning of another's artistic or creative work; an elucidation of a poem.118
5897145526Formalisma school of literary criticism and literary theory having mainly to do with structural purposes of a particular text. It is the study of a text without taking into account any outside influence.119
5897146866New CriticismIt emphasized close reading, particularly of poetry, to discover how a work of literature functioned as a self-contained, self-referential aesthetic object.120
5897148173Psychoanalytical Critismliterary criticism or literary theory which, in method, concept, or form, is influenced by the tradition of psychoanalysis begun by Sigmund Freud.121
5897148174Formalisma school of literary criticism and literary theory having mainly to do with structural purposes of a particular text. It is the study of a text without taking into account any outside influence.122
5897149362New CriticismIt emphasized close reading, particularly of poetry, to discover how a work of literature functioned as a self-contained, self-referential aesthetic object.123
5897150450Oedipus Complexboy's psychosexual competition with his father for possession of his mother124
5897150451Electra Complexgirl's psychosexual competition with her mother for possession of her father.125
5897156438Gender Critismexamines the influence of gender on the way literature is written and read.126
5897156439Denouementa literary device which can be defined as the resolution of the issue of a complicated plot in fiction.127
5897161273Interpretationan explanation of the meaning of another's artistic or creative work; an elucidation: an interpretation of a poem.128

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