Ap lit term list 5/6 Flashcards
Structure
The arrangement or framework of a sentence, paragraph, or entire work.
Represents the overall organization or layout of something, including the relationships between its different parts, which can involve syntax as one element.
Example:
five-act format with exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Style
The distinctive way in which a writer uses language, including word choice, sentence structure, and figurative language.
Ernest Hemingway’s style is characterized by short, straightforward sentences and a lack of elaborate description.
Symbol
A person, place, object, or activity that stands for something beyond itself.
In ‘The Great Gatsby,’ the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for the future.
Syntax.
The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.
“The dog chased the cat,” the syntax is subject-verb-object, meaning the subject (“the dog”) comes first, followed by the verb (“chased”), and then the object (“the cat”).
Theme
The central idea or message in a work of literature.
One of the main themes in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is the moral nature of human beings, particularly the struggle between discrimination and tolerance.
Tone.
The author’s attitude toward the subject or audience.
The tone in George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is bleak and oppressive, reflecting the dystopian society depicted in the novel.
Tongue in Cheek
A humorous or sarcastic statement expressed in a way that appears to be serious.
trying to be funny but sounds serious
Jonathan Swift’s ‘A Modest Proposal’ is a tongue-in-cheek essay suggesting that the poor sell their children as food to the rich.
Tragic Flaw
A character trait that leads to the downfall of the protagonist.
In Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet,’ Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his indecisiveness, which ultimately leads to his demise.
Define Transition/Segue.
A word or phrase that links different ideas, ensuring smooth movement from one idea to another.
In an essay, transitions like ‘furthermore,’ ‘in addition,’ and ‘however’ help to connect paragraphs and maintain the flow of the argument.
What is a Cumulative Sentence?
A cumulative sentence starts with an independent clause and then adds subordinate elements or modifiers.
main idea then details
Example: ‘The fire alarm went off, startling everyone, causing a rush to the exits, and filling the room with a sense of urgency.’
Dactyl i
A metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.
three sylabols
The word ‘beautiful’ is a dactyl: BEAU-ti-ful.
iambs
unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable.
The word ‘describe’ is an iamb: de-SCRIBE.
Monosyllabic .
Words that consist of only one syllable.
Examples: ‘cat,’ ‘dog,’ and ‘run.’
Pathos?
A rhetorical device that appeals to the audience’s emotions.
In a charity advertisement, showing images of suffering animals to evoke sympathy and compassion from viewers.
Periodic Sentence.
A sentence that has the main clause or its predicate at the end, creating suspense or interest.
details then main point
Example: ‘Despite the heavy rain and strong winds, the match continued.’
Personification
A figure of speech where human qualities are given to animals, objects, or ideas.
Example: ‘The wind whispered through the trees.’
Define a Pun.
A form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for a humorous or rhetorical effect.
Example: ‘I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.’
What is a Spondee?
two stressed syllables.
The word ‘heartbreak’ is a spondee: HEART-BREAK.
Trochee.
one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable.
The word ‘garden’ is a trochee: GAR-den.
Trope
A figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression.
metaphorical, deeper meaning or often used
Example: ‘Time is a thief’ is a trope, where time is metaphorically described as stealing moments from our lives.
