AP Notes 8 (71-80)

Question 1

LITOTES

Answer 1

Litotes, derived from a Greek word meaning “simple”, is a figure of speech which
employs an understatement by using double negatives or, in other words, positive
statement is expressed by negating its opposite expressions. “Not too bad” in place of
“Pretty good” would be an example.
 They do not seem the happiest couple around.
 The ice cream was not too bad.
 New York is not an ordinary city.
 Your comments on politics are not useless.
 You are not as young as you used to be.
 I cannot disagree with your point of view.

Question 2

UTOPIA

Answer 2

The literary term utopia denotes an illusionary place that projects the notion of a
perfect society to the reader. Here, the “perfect society” refers to ideal conditions
achieved within the material world as opposed to the expected idealism of afterlife in
Christianity or other religions. Further, the citizens presiding in such utopias are bearers
of a perfect moral code, or at the least, every violator of the moral code is harshly
punished. A utopian society is one where all social evils have been cured.

Question 3

SONNET

Answer 3

The word sonnet is derived from the Italian word “sonetto”. It means a small or
little song or lyric. In poetry, a sonnet has 14 fourteen lines and is written in
iambic pentameter. Each line has 10 syllables. It has a specific rhyme scheme and a
“volta” or a specific turn.

Question 4

. ROUND CHARACTER

Answer 4

A round character in a novel, play or story is a complex personality. Like
real people, he/she has depth in his feelings and passions. For instance, in the movie
“Shrek,” the main character says “‘Ogres are like onions” which means that what appears
to them is not the only truth they see; rather, there is something more inside them.
Similarly, a round character has many layers like onions. Writers define a round character
fully, both physically and mentally. It is the character with whom the audience can
sympathize, associate or relate to, as he seems a character they might have seen in their
real lives. Here are some classic characteristics…
 Round characters are major characters in a story; they encounter contradictory situations and
undergo transformation during this phase. Therefore, these characters do not remain the same
throughout the narrative, making their traits difficult to identify from beginning until the end.
 These characters are more realistic, while their personalities are also inconsistent.
 They are fully developed and show complex traits, like real people.
 Round characters are also known as main characters or major characters, because they are
suitable to surprise the readers in a very convincing manner.
 Major characters must be round characters to be believable.

Question 5

SITUATIONAL IRONY

Answer 5

Occurs when incongruity appears between expectations of something to happen and what actually happens instead. then entirely different things happens than what the audience expected

Question 6

STATISTIC CHARACTER

Answer 6

One that does not undergo inner changes or undergoes a little change. Character that does not develop or grow such as sherlock holmes and james bond. Personality remains the same at the end of the story.

Question 7

VERNACULAR

Answer 7

Vernacular is a literary genre that uses daily used language in writing and
speaking. It is different from written works, as they normally follow the formal variety of
language. The word “vernacular” refers to writing or speaking of the public. We find the origin
of vernacular literature during middle ages in different countries of Europe.

Question 8

VERNACULAR vs DIALECT

Answer 8

Vernacular is the use of ordinary, everyday and plain language
in speaking or writing, such as corn is a common name of a plant, and its scientific name
is Maize or Zea mays, whereas dialect is related to a particular region, geographical area, a
particular social class, or an occupational group. Also, it uses a distinguished pronunciation,
vocabulary and grammar, such as people in Shanghai has different pronunciation or dialect
than in Yunnan.

Question 9

. UNDERSTATEMENT

Answer 9

An understatement is a figure of speech employed by writers or
speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is. An
understatement has something of an ironic effect. Here are some examples.
 “Deserts are sometimes hot, dry and sandy” while describing deserts of the world.
 “He is not too thin” while describing an obese person.
 “It rained a bit more than usual” while describing an area being flooded after heavy
rainfall.
 “It was O.K.” is an understatement if someone who got the highest score in a test said this
when asked about his result.
 “It is a bit cold today,” when the temperature is 5 degrees below freezing

Question 10

EULOGY

Answer 10

Known as homily, the term eulogy originates from a Greek word eulogia, which
means to praise somebody or something. A eulogy is a literary device that is a laudatory
expression in a speech, or a written tribute to a person deceased recently. We can say, it is a
commendation or high praise intended to give honor, generally, to a dead family member, or a
loved one, or it is a tribute given to a dead person at his/her funeral. Eulogies are also paid as
tributes to living persons; for instance, one can dedicate it to his retired colleagues, bosses or
employees for winning respectable position and noble deeds. Hence, in general, it is a gesture of
honoring somebody.