AP Lit Vocab Flashcards
Allegory
device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning
alliteration
The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in 2 or more neighboring words
allusion
a direct or indirect reference to something which I presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or even work of art
ambiguity
the multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage
analogy
a similarity or comparison between 2 different things or the relationship between them
antecedent
the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
aphorism
a terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle
apostrophe
a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love
atmosphere
the emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting
metonymy
from the Greek “changed label”, the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it
synecdoche
a figure of speech in which apart is made to represent the whole or vice versa, as in Cleveland won by 6 runs
Figure of speech
a device used to produce figurative language
generic conventions
refers to traditions for each genre
genre
the major category into which a literary work fits (e.g. prose, poetry, and drama)
homily
literally “sermon”, or any serious talk, speech, or lecture providing moral or spiritual device.
hyperbole
a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement
imagery
the sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or to represent abstractions
infer (inference)
to draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented
invective
an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language
irony
the contrast between words that is stated explicitly and what is really meant
verbal irony
words literally state the opposite of the speaker’s true meaning
situational irony
events turn out the opposite of what was expected
parody
a work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.
pedantic
An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish
periodic sentences
A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end
personification
a figure of speech in which the author presents or describes
concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human
attributes or emotions.
Point of View
the perspective from which a story is told (first person, third person
omniscient, or third person limited omniscient).
Predicate Adjective
one type of subject complement, an adjective, group of
adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb.
Predicate Nominative
another type of subject complement, a noun, group of
nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject.
Prose
Genre including fiction, nonfiction, written in ordinary language
repetition
the duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of
language.
rhetoric
from the Greek for “orator,” the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively
rhetorical modes
The variety, conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of writing (exposition explains and analyzes information; argumentation proves validity of an idea; description re-creates, invents, or presents a person, place, event, or actions; narration tells a story or recount to event)
sarcasm
from the Greek for “to tear flesh,” involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something
satire
a work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and
conventions for reform or ridicule.
semantics
the branch of linguistics which studies the meaning of words, their
historical and psychological development (etymology), their connotations, and
their relation to one another.
style
an evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction,
syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices; or classification of authors
to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors
Antithesis
a figure of speech in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed by parallelism of words that are the opposites of, or strongly contrasted with, each other, such as “hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins”.
anaphora
the use of a word referring to or replacing a word used earlier in a sentence, to avoid repetition, such as do in I like it and so do they.
anecdote
a short amusing story about something real, while using extravagant diction
annotation
A note explaining dialogue or text
argumentation
reasoning systematically to support a idea or claim
asyndeton
continuation without a conjunction eg. reduce, reuse, recycle
adage
A proverb or short statement telling truth
connotation
A feeling added on to the original meaning
consonance
A rhyme but the vowel sound before is different eg. home, same
caricature
An imitation of someone sketched out of proportions
Anachronism
An error in the chronology or timeline of a piece. anything out of time and out of place is an anachronism
Colloquialisms
use of ordinary words instead of formal ones, slang terms
anathema
expressing a strong dislike
axiom
a statement meant to be taken as true
dissonance
a lack of harmony
diaphanous
light, delicate, translucent
dogmatic
to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true
eclectic
to select the best among many choices
explication
the process of analyzing and developing in detail
figurative
metaphorical, or away from literal meaning
juxtaposition
literal
misanthrope
obdurate
point of view
repetition
urbane
apocryphal
iconoclast
abstract
deduction
ethos
euphamisms
Magnanimous
Great, Magnificent
