AP Terms Flashcards
abstract
an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research
adage
a saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often crouched in metaphorical language
allegory
a story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical, or possibly and ethical meaning
allusion
a reference to a person, place, or event meant to create and affect or enhance the meaning of an idea
ambiguity
A vagueness or meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation
analogy
a comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things
antithesis
a rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by menas of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences
archetype
an abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form
assonance
the repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose
ballad
a simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited
bildungsroman
a german word refe3rring to a novel structured as a series or events that take place as the hero travels in a quest of a goal
blank verse
poetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in english (“Blank” because lines generally dont rhyme)
carpe diem
“sieze the day”
climax
the high point, or turning point, of a story or play
connotation
the suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase
consonance
the repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry
denotation
the dictionary definition of a word
denouement
the resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction
deus ex machina
use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem
diction
the choice of words in speech and writing
**serves to create meaning, portray characters, convey tone, develop themes **
dramatic irony
a circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character
elegy
a poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value
empathy
a feeling of association or identification with an object or person
epic
an extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure
epigram
a concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement
eponymous
term for the title character of a work of literature
exposition
the background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature
fable
a short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior
fantasy
a story containing unreal, imaginary features
figure of speech
figurative language implies meanings
1st person narrative
a narrative told by a character involved in the story,using 1st person pronouns such as “I” and”we”
flashback
a return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances
foil
a minor character whose personality or attitude contrasts with that of the main character (juxtaposing one character against another intensifies the qualities of both)
apostrophe
an address to someone not present or to a personified object or idea
caricature
a portrait (verbal or otherwise) that exaggerates a facet of personality
conceit, controlling image
conceit refers to a startling or unusual metaphor, or one developed and expanded upon over several lines
Controlling image is when the image dominates and shapes the entire work
enjambment
the continuation of a syntactic unit from one line or couplet of a poem to the next with no pause
hyperbole
exaggeration or deliberate overstatement
irony
- Comes in variety of forms
- a statement that means the opposite of what it seems to mean
- Undertow of meaning, sliding against the literal meaning of the words
metaphor
comparison or analogy that states one thing is another
ex:/ his eyes were burning coal
simile
like metaphor, but softens the meaning using “like” or “as”
objectivity
impersonal or outside view of events
subjectivity
uses the interior or personal view of a single observer
opposition
- one of the most useful concepts in analyzing literature
- meaning you have a pair of elements that contrast sharply
- pairing of images whereby each becomes more striking and informative bc it is placed in contrast to the other one
- creates mystery and tension
paradox
situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but on closer inspection does not
omniscient narrator
3rd person narrator who sees like god
limited omniscient narrator
3rd person narrator who reports only what one character sees and the thoughts of that one character
objective narrator
3rd person only reports what would be visible to a camera
1st person narrator
is a character in the story & tells from his/her point of view
satire
- satire exposes common character flaws to the cold light of humor
- satire attempts to improve things by pointing out ppls mistakes in the hope that such behavior will become less common
- great satirical subjects: hypocrisy, vanity, and greed
stanza
group of lines in verse
accent
in poetry –> refers to stressed portion of a word
*often a matter of opinion
aesthetic
*“appealing to the senses”
allegory
story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself
alliteration
repetition of initial consonant sounds
**consonant clusters coming closely cramped and compressed******
anachronism
“misplaced in time”
analogy
- comparison
- involve 2 or more symbolic parts
- employed to clarify and action or a relationship
anecdote
short narrative
antecedent
word, phrase, or clause that a pronoun refers to or replaces
anthropomorphism
when inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena are given human characteristics, behavior, or motivation
anticlimax
occurs when an action produces far smaller results than one had been led to expect
*frequently comic
antihero
protagonist markedly unheroic
aphorism
short & witty saying
archaism
deliberately using old-fashioned language
aside
a speech made by an actor to the audience as though momentarily stepping outside the action on stage
aspect
a trait or characteristic
assonance
repeated use of vowel sounds
atmosphere
emotional tone or background surrounding a scene
bathos
writing tries to elicit tears
pathos
writing evokes feelings of pity and sympathy
black humor
use of disturbing things in comedy
bombast
pretentious exaggerated learned language
burlesque
broad parody
cacophony
using deliberately harsh, awkward sounds
cadence
beat or rhythm of poetry in a general sense
canto
name for a section division in a long work of poetry
catharsis
“cleansing” of emotion an audience member experiences having lived vicariously through the experiences presented on stage
coinage
a new word, usually invented on the spot
colloquialism
word or phrase used in everyday conversational english that isnt a part of accepted “schoolbook” english
decorum
character’s speech styled according to her social station and in accordance with the occasion
dirge
song for the dead
*tone typically slow, heavy, and melancholy
dissonance
grating of incompatible sounds
doggerel
crude, simplistic verse
