AP lit vocab Flashcards
device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning
Allegory
the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (e.g “she sells sea shells.”
Alliteration
A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art
allusion
The multiple meanings, wither intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage
ambiguity
a similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them
analogy
the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
antecedent
a terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle
aphorism
a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love
apostrophe
the emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting
atmosphere
one object that takes the place of another that has a close association
metonymy
A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa, as in Cleveland won by six runs (meaning “Cleveland’s baseball team”)
synecdoche
a device used to produce figurative language
figure of speech
refers to traditions for each genre
generic conventions
the major category into which a literary work fits (e.g. prose, poetry, and drama)
genre
literally “Sermon”, or any serious talk, speech, or lecture providing moral or spiritual advice
homily
a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement
hyperbole
the sensory details or figurative language used to describe arouse emotion, or represent abstractions
imagery
to draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented
infer
an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language
invective
the contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant
verbal irony - words literally state the opposite of speaker’s true meaning
situational irony - events turn out the opposite of what was expected
dramatic irony - facts or events are unknown to a character but known to the reader or audience or other characters in work
irony
facts or events are unknown to a character but known to the reader or audience or other characters in work
dramatic irony
events turn out the opposite of what was expected
situational irony
a work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the
specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.
parody
an adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly
scholarly, academic, or bookish.
pedantic
a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end
periodic sentences
a figure of speech in which the author presents or describes
concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human
attributes or emotions.
personification
the perspective from which a story is told (first person, third person
omniscient, or third person limited omniscient).
point of view
one type of subject complement, an adjective, group of
adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb.
predicate adjective
another type of subject complement, a noun, group of
nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject.
predicate nominative
genre including fiction, nonfiction, written in ordinary language.
prose
from the Greek for “orator,” the principles governing the art of writing
effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.
rhetoric
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 action; narration tells a story or recount an event).
rhetorical modes
from the Greek for “to tear flesh,” involves bitter, caustic language that
is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.
sarcasm
a work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and
conventions for reform or ridicule.
satire
the branch of linguistics which studies the meaning of words, their
historical and psychological development (etymology), their connotations, and
their relation to one another.
semantics
as in opposite. something that is as different as possible from something else
Antithesis
repetition of a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect
Anaphora
a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident.
Andecdote
a note of explanation or comment added to a text or diagram
annotation
the act or process of forming reasons and of drawing conclusions and applying them to a case in discussion
Argumentation
a literary device in which conjunctions—such as and, but, and or—between words, phrases, or clauses are intentionally omitted while maintaining proper grammar
Asyndeton
an ancient saying or maxim, brief and sometimes mysterious, that has become accepted as wisdom
Adage
secondary, implied, or associative meanings and emotions that a word carries beyond its literal definition
connotation
a literary device that repeats the same consonant sounds in adjacent or nearby words
consonance
a distorted representation of a person in a way that exaggerates some characteristics and oversimplifies others
caricature
a literary device often used by authors as a way to convey personality and authenticity to characters
colloquialism
a rhetorical device that occurs when a writer chooses to list out items, events, ideas, or other parts of a story/setting;
listing items
enumeration
a figure of speech in which one or more words repeat at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.
epistrophe
two or more words or phrases in sentences that are the same grammatically, as well as in meaning
parallelism
describes something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, bad,
understatement
an essay which explains how something is done, how something occurs, or how something work
process analysis
Derived from the Greek word anachronous, which means “against time.” Tan error of chronology or timeline in a literary piece.
Anachronism
to describe that something or someone is being hated or avoided
Anathema
to describe that something or someone is being hated or avoided
axiom
a lack of harmony or agreement between things;
disruption in the harmonic sounds or rhythm of a verse
Dissonance
delicate and thin that you can see through it
diaphanous
strongly expressing your beliefs as if they were facts
dogmatic
a teaching style used in teaching a second or a foreign language
eclectic
short analysis which describes the possible meanings and relationships of the words, images, and other small units that make up a poem
explication
departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical
figurative
a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions
iconoclast
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect
juxtaposition
true to fact; not exaggerated; actual or factual
literal
a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society
misanthrope
stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action
obdurate
literary device that involves using the same word or phrase over and over again in a piece of writing or speech
repetitive
notably polite or polished in manner
urbane
the writers attempt to persuade by appealing to the reader’s moral values
ethos
a socially or politically correct turn of phrase used in place of another term that may be offensive or difficult
euphemism
a brief summary of a research article, thesis, review, conference proceeding or any in-depth analysis of a particular subject or discipline
abstract
a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead
elegy
taking one or a few facts and making a broader, more universal statement
generalization
insulting, abusive, or highly critical language
invective
special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand
jargon
the use of evidence and reasoning to persuasively support a claim;
how a speaker or writer arranges facts and evidence to support a claim.
logos
figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings
oxymoron
an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.
parody
statement that appears at first to be contradictory but upon reflection makes sense
paradox
appeals to the emotions and the sympathetic imagination, as well as to beliefs and values
pathos
the deliberate rearrangement of the usual word order within a sentence
syntactic permutation
words that help writing move smoothly from one topic to another without confusing the reader
transition/ transition words
the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza.
“he uses enjambment less than many poets”
enjambment
excessive pride and self confidence
hubris
faithfulness, loyalty, solidarity
allegiance
vague, obscure, indirect
ambiguous
adroitness, ability, expertness, know-how
expertise
incite, instigate, provoke
foment
definite, precise, unambiguous
explicit
fervent, enthusiastic, devoted, zealous
ardent
serendipitous, accidental, fortunate, casual, lucky
fortuitous
incendiary, seditious, subversive, malevolent
inflammatory
promise, wedded, espoused, spousal
matrimonial
sullen, morbid, and ill-tempered
morose
dignified, sophisticated, formal
solem
secret, sophisticated, formal
surreptitious
patient, reticent (shy)
meek
Frank, direct
forthright
passionate, intensenity
ardor
corruption
venal
exactness, truth
veracity
peculiarity, trait, oddity
idiosyncrasy
lustful, romantic
amorous
audacious, immature, imprudent, irrational, harebrained, overzealous, premature
rash
fatal, malignant, pernicious, destructive, baneful, noxious, toxic, septic
virulent
ubiquitous, prevalent, global, comprehensive, worldwide, omnipresent
universal
