AP Terms 41-80

Question 1

Adage

Answer 1

An adage is a short, pointed and memorable saying based on facts, and is considered a veritable truth by the majority of people. Famous adages become popular due to their usage over a long period of time. In fact, an adage expresses a general fact or truth about life

Question 2

Pedantic

Answer 2

Pedantic comes from a French word, pedant, means “to teach or to act as pedagogue.” A pedantic is someone who is concerned with precision, formalism, accuracy, minute details in order to make an arrogant and ostentatious show of learning. He could be a writer, a character, feelings, tone or words

Question 3

Flippant

Answer 3

Lacking proper respect or seriousness. This is often associated with the impatience of youth.

Question 4

Evocative

Answer 4

The use of language that “suggests” meanings other than the denotative. Language that connects with emotions or feelings not associated with the actual meaning of a word.

Question 5

45. SYNTACTICAL INVERSION

Answer 5

inversion, also called anastrophe, in literary style and rhetoric, the syntactic reversal of the normal order of the words and phrases in a sentence, as, in English, the placing of an adjective after the noun it modifies (“the form divine”), a verb before its subject (“Came the dawn”).

Question 6

APPOSITION

Answer 6

is a grammatical construction in which two elements, normally noun phrases, are placed side by side, with one element serving to identify the other in a different way. The two elements are said to be in apposition.

Question 7

DIDACTIC

Answer 7

The word didactic is frequently used for those literary texts which are overloaded with informative or realistic matter and are marked by the omission of graceful and pleasing details.
Didactic, therefore, becomes a derogatory term referring to the forms of literature that are ostentatiously dull and erudite. However, some literary texts are entertaining as well as didactic.

Question 8

CONCEIT

Answer 8

Conceit is a figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors. Thus, conceit examples have a surprising or shocking effect on the readers because they are novel comparisons unlike the conventional comparisons made in similes and metaphors.

Question 9

PERIODIC SENTENCE

Answer 9

A periodic sentence has the main clause or predicate at the end. This is used for emphasis and can be persuasive by putting reasons for something at the beginning before the
final point is made. It can also create suspense or interest for the reader. Here are some examples
for reference. Consider what the strength of this type of sentence might be.
Ex:
In spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.
With low taxes, beautiful views and a mild climate, this city is a great place to live.

Question 10

PARADOX

Answer 10

It is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or silly but may include a latent truth. It is also used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to accepted traditional ideas. A
paradox is often used to make a reader think over an idea in innovative way. Some memorable
examples are:
“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”.
“I must be cruel to be kind.”

Question 11

IRONY

Answer 11

Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a situation that may end up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between the appearance and the reality.
Ex: “Go ask his name: if he be married.”

Question 12

PARENTHESIS

Answer 12

Parenthesis is a stylistic device that comes from a Greek word, meaning to place or alongside. Parenthesis is a qualifying or explanatory sentence, clause or word that writers insert into a paragraph or passage. However, if they leave it out, even then grammatically it does not affect the text that is correct without it. Writers mark them off by round and square brackets or by commas, dashes, little lines and brackets. As far as its purpose is concerned, this verbal unit provides extra information, interrupts syntactic flow of words, and allows the readers to pay attention on explanation. However, the overuse of parenthesis may make sentences look ambiguous and poorly structured.

Question 13

SARDONIC

Answer 13

grimly mocking, sarcastic, satirical, mocking in a humorous manner. This is one of those “TONE” words that describe writing that fits the meaning.

Question 14

SATIRE

Answer 14

Satire is a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule. It intends to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles. A writer in a satire uses fictional characters, which stand for real people, to expose and condemn their corruption.

Question 15

POLEMICAL

Answer 15

relating to or involving strongly critical, controversial, or disputatious writing or speech. “a polemical essay” could be any of the following (synonyms): critical, hostile, bitter, polemic, virulent, vitriolic, venomous, caustic, trenchant, cutting, acerbic, sardonic, sarcastic, scathing, sharp, incisive, devastating

Question 16

AMBIGUITY

Answer 16

Ambiguity or fallacy of ambiguity is a word, phrase, or statement which contains more
than one meaning. Skilled writers use ambiguity with purpose and intent. HOWEVER…most students who are just learning about language use it without thought and it detracts from their writing. Here is a good example of purposeful use to “tag” a teenager speaking…what is ambiguous in this sentence?
Ex: A good life depends on a liver – Liver may be an organ or simply a living person.

Question 17

ARCHETYPE

Answer 17

An archetype, also known as universal symbol, may be a character, a theme, a symbol or even a setting. Many literary critics are of the opinion that archetypes, which have a common and recurring representation in a particular human culture or entire human race, shape the structure and function of a literary work.

Question 18

Function of an Archetype

Answer 18

The use of archetypical characters and situations gives a literary work a universal acceptance, as readers identify the characters and situations in their social and cultural context. By using a common archetype, the writers attempt to impart realism to their works, as the situations and characters are drawn from the experiences of the world

Question 19

Tragic Flaw

Answer 19

Is a literary device that can be defined as a trait in a character leasing to his downfall and the character is often teh hero of the literary piece. This trait could be the lack of self-knowledge, lack of judgement and often it is hubris (PRIDE).

Question 20

Assertion

Answer 20

When someone makes a statement investing his strong belief in it, as if it is true though it may not be, he is making an assertion. Assertion is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, a forceful or confident and positive statement regarding the belief or a fact. Often, it is without a proof or any support. Its purpose is to express ideas or feeling directly.

Question 21

Autobiography

Answer 21

One type of biography, which tells a life story of its author, menaing it is a written record of the author’s life. Rather than being written by somebody else, an autobiography comes through the person’s own words.

Question 22

MEMOIR

Answer 22

A memoir is a record of memories, and particular events that have taken place in the author’s life. In fact, it is the telling of a story or an event from his life; an account that does not
tell the full record of a life.

Question 23

CUMULATIVE SENTENCE

Answer 23

A cumulative sentence is known as a loose sentence that starts with an independent clause or main clause, which is simple and straight, provides main idea and then adds subordinate elements or modifiers. It adds subordinate or modifying elements after the
subject and the predicate. Writers use these types of sentences when they want to put forth the main idea first, and provide details to elucidate the idea further thereafter. Consider how this is different from the PERIODIC SENTENCE (where the main clause is left to the end of the sentence)

Question 24

BLANK VERSE

Answer 24

Blank verse is a literary device defined as un-rhyming verse written in iambic pentameter. In poetry and prose, it has a consistent meter with 10 syllables in each line (pentameter); where, unstressed syllables are followed by stressed ones and five of which are stressed but do not rhyme, although it can if the poet chooses. It is also known as un-rhymed iambic pentameter.

Question 25

BILDUNGSROMAN

Answer 25

A Bildungsroman is a story of the growing up of a sensitive person who looks for answers to his questions through different experiences. Generally, such a novel starts with a loss or a tragedy that disturbs the main character emotionally. He or she leaves on a journey to fill that vacuum.

Question 26

BILDUNGSROMAN

Answer 26

During the journey, the protagonist gains maturity gradually and with difficulty. Usually, the plot depicts a conflict between the protagonist and the values of society. Finally, he or she accepts those values and they are accepted by the society, ending the dissatisfaction. Such a type of novel is also known as a coming-of-age novel. Can you think of one such novel that you might have read that fits this description?

Question 27

ILLUSION

Answer 27

(not to be confused with ALLUSION) An illusion is a false illustration of something,
a deceptive impression, or a false belief. Literally speaking, an illusion is something that is false and not factual. It tricks the human brain into thinking an unreal into a real. In other words, it is meant to mislead the perception of readers, and deceive their senses. Writers deceive readers’ sense of sight, touch, taste, and sounds, making them imagine what is happening, by illustrating certain details:

Question 28

FREE VERSE

Answer 28

Free verse is a literary device that can be defined as poetry that is free from limitations of regular meter or rhythm and does not rhyme with fixed forms. Such poems are without rhythms and rhyme schemes; do not follow regular rhyme scheme rules and still provide artistic expression. In this way, the poet can give his own shape to a poem how he/she desires.

Question 29

FOIL

Answer 29

In literature, a foil is a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character with the objective to highlight the traits of the other character. The term foil, though generally being applied for a contrasting character, may also be used for any comparison that is drawn to portray a difference between two things.

Question 30

INTERTEXTUALITY

Answer 30

Intertextuality is a sophisticated literary device used in writing. In fact, it is a textual reference within some text that reflects the text used as a reference. Instead of employing referential phrases from different literary works, intertextuality draws upon the concept, rhetoric or ideology from other texts to be merged in the new text. It may be the retelling of an old story, or you may rewrite the popular stories in modern context for instance, James Joyce retells The Odyssey in his very famous novel Ulysses. Treasure Island and Lord of the Flies.

Question 31

LITOTES

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

UTOPIA

Answer 32

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 33

SONNET

Answer 33

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 34

ROUND CHARACTER

Answer 34

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…

Question 35

Situational Irony

Answer 35

Literary device that occurs when incongruity appears between expectations of something to happen and what actually happens instead. Entirely different things happen than what the audience expected.

Question 36

Static Character

Answer 36

One that does not undergo inner changes or undergoes a little change. It is a character that does not develop or grow. All his actions stay true and unchanged to his personality in between the scenes.

Question 37

VERNACULAR

Answer 37

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 38

VERNACULAR vs DIALECT

Answer 38

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 40

UNDERSTATEMENT

Answer 40

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.

Question 40

EULOGY

Answer 40

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.