AP Lang Literary Devices and Elevated Words - Elevated Words Flashcards
abstract
(n.) An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research. (adj.) Dealing with or tending to deal with a subject apart from a particular or specific instance.
ad hominem
Directed to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.
adage
A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language.
allegory
A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface.
alliteration
The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem.
allusion
A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.
ambiguity
A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings or interpretations.
anachronism
A person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.
analogy
A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things; a passage that points out several similarities between two unlike things is called an extended analogy.
anecdote
A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature.
annotation
A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature.
antagonist
A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict.
antecedent
A word to which a pronoun refers.
antithesis
A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences.
aphorism
A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment.
Apollonian
In contrast to Bionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior.
apostrophe
A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present.
arch
(adj.) Characterized by clever or sly humor, often saucy, playful, and somewhat irreverent.
archetype
An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form.
assonance
The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words in prose or poetry.
bard
A poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment.
bathos
Insincere or overdone sentimentality.
belle-lettres
A French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general.
bibliography
A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a particular subject.
bombast
Inflated, pretentious language.
burlesque
A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation.
cacophony
Grating, inharmonious sounds.
canon
The works considered the most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied.
caricature
A grotesque or exaggerated likeness of striking qualities in persons and things.
carpe diem
Literally, “seize the day”; “enjoy life while you can,” a common theme in life and literature.
circumlocution
Literally, “talking around” a subject; i.e., discourse that avoids direct reference to a subject.
classic
A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time.
classical, classicism
Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint.
clause
A structural element of a sentence, consisting of a grammatical subject and a predicate.
independent clauses
sometimes called main clauses, ay stand on their own as complete sentences
dependent clauses
are used as nouns or modifiers, are incomplete sentences and cannot stand alone grammatically; they are sometimes called subordinate clauses; those that function as adjectives, nouns, or adverbs are known, respectively, as adjective, noun, and adverbial clauses
climax
The high point, or turning point, of a story or play.
comparison and contrast
A mode of discourse in which two or more things are compared and contrasted. Comparison often refers to similarities, contrast to differences.
conceit
A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language.
concrete detail
A highly specific, particular, often real, actual, or tangible detail; the opposite of abstract.
connotation
The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase.
consonance
The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a unit of speech or writing.
critique
An analysis or assessment of a thing or situation for the purpose of determining its nature, limitations, and conformity to a set of standards.
cynic
One who expects and observes nothing but the worst of human conduct.
deductive reasoning
A method of reasoning by which specific definitions, conclusions, and theorems are drawn from general principles.
denotation
The dictionary definition of a word.
dénouement
The resolution that occurs at the end of a narrative or drama, real or imagined.
descriptive detail
Graphic, exact, and accurate presentation of the characteristics of a person, place, or thing.
deus ex machina
In literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem.
diction
The choice of words in oral and written discourse.
didactic
Having an instructive purpose; intending to convey information or teach a lesson, usually in a dry, pompous manner.
digression
That portion of discourse that wanders or departs from the main subject or topic.
Dionysian
As distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking, impulses.
dramatic irony
A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character.
elegy
A poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of someone or something of value.
ellipsis
Three periods (…)indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation.
elliptical construction
A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words.
empathy
A feeling of association or identification with an object or person.
epic
A narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero.
epigram
A concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement.
euphony
Pleasing, harmonious sounds.
epithet
An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing; Can also be used to apply to vulgar or profane exclamations.
eponymous
A term for the title character of a work of literature.
euphemism
A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term.
exegesis
A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of prose or poetry.
exposé
A factual piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings.
exposition
The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of an essay or other work; setting forth the meaning or purpose of a piece of writing or discourse.
explication
The interpretation or analysis of a text.
extended metaphor
A series of comparisons between two unlike objects.
fable
A short tale, often with nonhuman characters, from which a useful lesson or moral may be drawn.
fallacy, fallacious reasoning
An incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, false information, or flawed logic.
fantasy
A story containing unreal, imaginary features.
farce
A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose.
figure of speech, figurative language
In contrast to literal language, figurative language implies meanings.
frame
A structure that provides a premise or setting for a narrative or other discourse.
genre
A term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay.
harangue
A forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade.
homily
A leture or sermon on a religious or moral theme meant to guide human behavior.
hubris
Excessive pride that often affects tone.
humanism
A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity.
hyperbole
Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect.
idyll
A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place.
image
A word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or felt.
imagery
the use of images in speech and writing.
indirect quotation
A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased.
inductive reasoning
A method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.
inference
A conclusion or proposition arrived at by considering facts, observations, or some other specific data.
invective
A direct verbal assault; a denunciation; casting blame on someone or something.
irony
A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected.
kenning
A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities.
lampoon
A mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation.
litotes
A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.
loose sentence
A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences, i.e., subject-verb-objects. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses.
lyrical prose
Personal, reflective prose that reveals the speaker’s thoughts and feelings about the subject.
malapropism
A confused use of words in which the appropriate word is replaced by one with a similar sound but inappropriate meaning.
maxim
A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth.
melodrama
A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response.
metaphor
A figure of speech that compares unlike objects.
extended metaphor
When several characteristics of the same objects are compared
metaphorical allusion
A metaphor referring to a particular person, place, or thing
