Ap lit term 4 Flashcards
What is Inversion?
a literary technique that changes up the order of words so that particular qualities or terms can be emphasized.
Example: In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the witches say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
What is Litotes?
figure of speech that employs understatement by using double negatives or a positive statement expressed by negating its opposite.
a rhetorical device that always makes an affirmative statement by expressing the negative of its contrary, often (but not always) by using negative words like ‘‘not’’ or ‘‘can’t.
Example: You won’t be sorry, meaning you’ll be glad
“It’s not rocket science” instead of “It’s easy”
What is a Lyric Poem?
A lyric poem is a type of emotional songlike poetry, distinguished from narrative and dramatic poetry.
Example: William Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” is a famous lyric poem.
What is Metamorphosis?
Metamorphosis is a profound change in form or structure, often used in literature to describe a character’s transformation.
Example: In Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis,” Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect.
What is Metonymy?
Metonymy is a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted with another with which it is closely associated.
Example: “The pen is mightier than the sword,” where “pen” represents written words and “sword” represents military force.
What is a Myth?
A myth is a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, typically involving supernatural beings or events.
Example: The Greek myth of “Pandora’s Box” explains the origin of human misfortune.
What is a Narrative Poem?
A narrative poem tells a story and includes a plot, characters, and a setting.
Example: Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” is a well-known narrative poem.
What is Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia is the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named.
Example: Words like “buzz,” “hiss,” and “clang” are examples of onomatopoeia.
What is an Oxymoron?
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two seemingly contradictory terms appear in conjunction.
Example: “Jumbo shrimp” is a common oxymoron.
What is a Parable?
A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
Example: The parable of “The Good Samaritan” from the Bible teaches the importance of helping others.
What is a Paradox?
a statement that appears to contradict itself, but upon further rumination, either reveals a deeper meaning or actually makes sense
Example: “I can resist anything but temptation,” from Oscar Wilde, is a famous paradox.
What is Parallelism?
the repetition of grammatical elements in a piece of writing to create a harmonious effect. Sometimes, it involves repeating the exact same words, such as in the common phrases
easy come esay go
What is a Parody?
A parody is an imitation of a particular writer, artist, or genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect.
Example: “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes is a parody of chivalric romances.
What is Pastoral?
A pastoral is a work of literature portraying an idealized version of country life.
Example: Christopher Marlowe’s poem “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” is a classic example of pastoral poetry.
