AP Lit Vocab

The generic name for a figure of speech such as image, symbol, simile, and metaphor.

a tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood

the structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains

A pair of rhymed lines. Two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is called a heroic couplet.

The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker

poetry written in iambic pentameter

Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.

a comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things

a poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment

a simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited

the excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death

a circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character.

a concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement

a figure of speech that compares unlike objects

refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior

the author's attitude toward the subject

a variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, but sometimes with a satirical thrust

an eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem

A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect

the emotional tone in a work of literature evoked through the author's writing choices

three periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation

grating, inharmonious sounds

a saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphor

the interpretation or analysis of a text

pleasing, harmonious sounds

a novel structured as a series of events taking place as the hero travels in quest of a goal

A story containing unreal, imaginary features.

a forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade

That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow

verse form calculated to appear simple + spontaneous but consisting of 19 lines and rhyme

rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only paraphrased

a mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation

seize the day; enjoy life while you can, a common theme in literature

a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry

A return to an earlier time in a story/play in order to clarify present action or circumstances

The interrelationship among the events in a story

form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis

a version of a text put into simpler, everyday, words

the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses

a mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term

a synonym for poetry

a belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity

the resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction

a statement that seems contradictory but is actually true

inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects

the action in a story that occurs after the climax and leads to the conclusion

the suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase

Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect.

The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.

literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response

a piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings

the background or events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work

a kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm, or fixed metrical feet

a cleansing of the spirit brought about by pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy

a list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work

describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause indicated by a mark of punctuation

an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research

faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects

the choice of words in speech and writing.

The manner in which an author uses + arranges words, shapes ideas, forms sentences, etc.

A story in which the narrative/characters carry a symbolic, metaphorical, or ethical meaning.

a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the death of something/someone of value

A work of fiction of roughly 20,000 to 50,000 words

a lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of idea life or place

vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity evoking multiple meanings + interpretation

poems with elaborate conceits, highly intellectual ideas, + expresses the complexities of love

figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or vice versa

a term for the title character of a work of literature

the repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line or poetry

The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer

A device in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities

a short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment

personal, reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject

an element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era the work is set in.

The dictionary definition of a word

A feeling of association or identification with an object or person.

a work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation

a unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line

The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning

the general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a work of literature

a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point.

A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived

language with implied meaning

a rhetorical device in which a speaker addresses a person or personified thing not present

a character or force in a work literature that produces tension or conflict

a word of phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or felt

quality of realism in a work that tells readers that they're getting a vision of life as it is

A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea.

writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind

A lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful, and exalted feelings toward the subject.

repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose.

the high point, or turning point, of a story or play.

the use of insincere or overdone sentimentality

a grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things

In poetry, the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them

works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read + studied

a structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative.

providing hints of things to come in a story or play

a narrative told by a character involved in the story

witty/ingenious thought; a diverting/highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language.

The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader or other audience.

a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness

a brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature

a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected

A term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay.

a series of comparisons between two unlike objects

A term often used as a synonym for realism

story that has become an accepted part of the cultural/religious tradition of a society

an extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures of a hero that is larger than life

The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object

Central idea of a work of literature

a saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth

in literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem

deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture

a highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time

a novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action.

an imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject

any shift or turning point in a work of prose or poetry

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes

a sentence containing a deliberate omission of words.

the repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose

a work of literature dealing with rural life

tale w/ nonhuman characters that act as people allowing the author to make comments abt humans

an abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example, an original model/form

an adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing

a pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always) marked by punctuation

A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature.

Novels written for mass consumption, often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots

reference to a person/place/event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea

A form of verse or prose (both fiction and nonfiction) that tells a story

a statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before

A minor character whose personality or attitude contrasts with that of the main character

A phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme

a novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group

discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation + the literal meaning of the written words