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AP Lang > AP Lang Literary Devices and Elevated Words - Elevated Words > Flashcards

AP Lang Literary Devices and Elevated Words - Elevated Words Flashcards

1
Q

abstract

A

(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.

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2
Q

ad hominem

A

Directed to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason.

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3
Q

adage

A

A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language.

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4
Q

allegory

A

A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface.

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5
Q

alliteration

A

The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem.

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6
Q

allusion

A

A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.

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7
Q

ambiguity

A

A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings or interpretations.

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8
Q

anachronism

A

A person, scene, event or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.

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9
Q

analogy

A

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.

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10
Q

anecdote

A

A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature.

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11
Q

annotation

A

A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature.

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12
Q

antagonist

A

A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict.

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13
Q

antecedent

A

A word to which a pronoun refers.

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14
Q

antithesis

A

A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences.

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15
Q

aphorism

A

A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment.

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16
Q

Apollonian

A

In contrast to Bionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior.

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17
Q

apostrophe

A

A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present.

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18
Q

arch

A

(adj.) Characterized by clever or sly humor, often saucy, playful, and somewhat irreverent.

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19
Q

archetype

A

An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form.

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20
Q

assonance

A

The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words in prose or poetry.

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21
Q

bard

A

A poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment.

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22
Q

bathos

A

Insincere or overdone sentimentality.

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23
Q

belle-lettres

A

A French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general.

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24
Q

bibliography

A

A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a particular subject.

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25
Q

bombast

A

Inflated, pretentious language.

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26
Q

burlesque

A

A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation.

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27
Q

cacophony

A

Grating, inharmonious sounds.

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28
Q

canon

A

The works considered the most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied.

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29
Q

caricature

A

A grotesque or exaggerated likeness of striking qualities in persons and things.

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30
Q

carpe diem

A

Literally, “seize the day”; “enjoy life while you can,” a common theme in life and literature.

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31
Q

circumlocution

A

Literally, “talking around” a subject; i.e., discourse that avoids direct reference to a subject.

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32
Q

classic

A

A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time.

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33
Q

classical, classicism

A

Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint.

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34
Q

clause

A

A structural element of a sentence, consisting of a grammatical subject and a predicate.

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35
Q

independent clauses

A

sometimes called main clauses, ay stand on their own as complete sentences

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36
Q

dependent clauses

A

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

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37
Q

climax

A

The high point, or turning point, of a story or play.

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38
Q

comparison and contrast

A

A mode of discourse in which two or more things are compared and contrasted. Comparison often refers to similarities, contrast to differences.

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39
Q

conceit

A

A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language.

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40
Q

concrete detail

A

A highly specific, particular, often real, actual, or tangible detail; the opposite of abstract.

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41
Q

connotation

A

The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase.

42
Q

consonance

A

The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a unit of speech or writing.

43
Q

critique

A

An analysis or assessment of a thing or situation for the purpose of determining its nature, limitations, and conformity to a set of standards.

44
Q

cynic

A

One who expects and observes nothing but the worst of human conduct.

45
Q

deductive reasoning

A

A method of reasoning by which specific definitions, conclusions, and theorems are drawn from general principles.

46
Q

denotation

A

The dictionary definition of a word.

47
Q

dénouement

A

The resolution that occurs at the end of a narrative or drama, real or imagined.

48
Q

descriptive detail

A

Graphic, exact, and accurate presentation of the characteristics of a person, place, or thing.

49
Q

deus ex machina

A

In literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem.

50
Q

diction

A

The choice of words in oral and written discourse.

51
Q

didactic

A

Having an instructive purpose; intending to convey information or teach a lesson, usually in a dry, pompous manner.

52
Q

digression

A

That portion of discourse that wanders or departs from the main subject or topic.

53
Q

Dionysian

A

As distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking, impulses.

54
Q

dramatic irony

A

A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character.

55
Q

elegy

A

A poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of someone or something of value.

56
Q

ellipsis

A

Three periods (…)indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation.

57
Q

elliptical construction

A

A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words.

58
Q

empathy

A

A feeling of association or identification with an object or person.

59
Q

epic

A

A narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero.

60
Q

epigram

A

A concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement.

61
Q

euphony

A

Pleasing, harmonious sounds.

62
Q

epithet

A

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.

63
Q

eponymous

A

A term for the title character of a work of literature.

64
Q

euphemism

A

A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term.

65
Q

exegesis

A

A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of prose or poetry.

66
Q

exposé

A

A factual piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings.

67
Q

exposition

A

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.

68
Q

explication

A

The interpretation or analysis of a text.

69
Q

extended metaphor

A

A series of comparisons between two unlike objects.

70
Q

fable

A

A short tale, often with nonhuman characters, from which a useful lesson or moral may be drawn.

71
Q

fallacy, fallacious reasoning

A

An incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, false information, or flawed logic.

72
Q

fantasy

A

A story containing unreal, imaginary features.

73
Q

farce

A

A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose.

74
Q

figure of speech, figurative language

A

In contrast to literal language, figurative language implies meanings.

75
Q

frame

A

A structure that provides a premise or setting for a narrative or other discourse.

76
Q

genre

A

A term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay.

77
Q

harangue

A

A forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade.

78
Q

homily

A

A leture or sermon on a religious or moral theme meant to guide human behavior.

79
Q

hubris

A

Excessive pride that often affects tone.

80
Q

humanism

A

A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity.

81
Q

hyperbole

A

Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect.

82
Q

idyll

A

A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place.

83
Q

image

A

A word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or felt.

84
Q

imagery

A

the use of images in speech and writing.

85
Q

indirect quotation

A

A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased.

86
Q

inductive reasoning

A

A method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.

87
Q

inference

A

A conclusion or proposition arrived at by considering facts, observations, or some other specific data.

88
Q

invective

A

A direct verbal assault; a denunciation; casting blame on someone or something.

89
Q

irony

A

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.

90
Q

kenning

A

A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities.

91
Q

lampoon

A

A mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation.

92
Q

litotes

A

A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.

93
Q

loose sentence

A

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.

94
Q

lyrical prose

A

Personal, reflective prose that reveals the speaker’s thoughts and feelings about the subject.

95
Q

malapropism

A

A confused use of words in which the appropriate word is replaced by one with a similar sound but inappropriate meaning.

96
Q

maxim

A

A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth.

97
Q

melodrama

A

A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response.

98
Q

metaphor

A

A figure of speech that compares unlike objects.

99
Q

extended metaphor

A

When several characteristics of the same objects are compared

100
Q

metaphorical allusion

A

A metaphor referring to a particular person, place, or thing

AP Lang (9 decks)

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