AP Literary Terms Flashcards

1
Q

story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities.

A

Allegory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

reference to someone or something that is known from history, literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or another branch of culture. An indirect reference to something (usually from literature, etc.)

A

Allusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

deliberately suggesting two or more different, and sometimes conflicting, meanings in a work. An event or situation that may be interpreted in more than one way- - this is done on purpose by the author, when it is not done on purpose, it is vagueness, and detracts from the work.

A

Ambiguity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer’s point more coherent.

A

Anaphora

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Brief story, told to illustrate a point or serve as an example of something, often shows character of an individual

A

Anecdote

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Repetition of words in successive clauses in reverse grammatical order.

A

Antimetabole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Balancing words, phrases, or ideas that are strongly contrasted, often by means of grammatical structure.

A

Antithesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Central character who lacks all the qualities traditionally associated with heroes. may lack courage, grace, intelligence, or moral scruples.

A

Antihero

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life, or of a principle or accepted general truth.

A

Aphorism (Maxim/Epigram)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or to a place or thing, or a personified abstract idea. If the character is asking a god or goddess for inspiration it is called an invocation.

A

Apostrophe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Placing in immediately succeeding order of two or more coordinate elements, the latter of which is an explanation, qualification, or modification of the first (often set off by a colon).

A

Apposition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

the repetition of similar vowel sounds followed by different consonant sounds especially in words that are together.

A

Assonance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Commas used without conjunction to separate a series of words, thus emphasizing the parts equally

A

Asyndeton

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Constructing a sentence so that both halves are about the same length and importance.

A

Balance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

the author tells us directly what the character is like

A

Direct Characterization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

is one who does not change much in the course of a story.

A

Static Character

17
Q

repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together.

A

Alliteration

18
Q

Comparison made between two things to show how they are alike

A

Analogy

19
Q

Inversion of the usual, normal, or logical order of the parts of a sentence. Purpose is rhythm or emphasis or euphony.

A

Anastrophe (Inversion)

20
Q

Opponent who struggles against or blocks the hero, or protagonist, in a story.

A

Antagonist

21
Q

attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object.

A

Anthropomorphism (Personification)

22
Q

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.

A

Characterization

23
Q

the author reveals to the reader what the character is like by describing how the character looks and dresses, by letting the reader hear what the character says, by revealing the character’s private thoughts and feelings, by revealing the characters effect on other people (showing how other characters feel or behave toward the character), or by showing the character in action.

A

Indirect Characterization