AP Lit Vocab

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

pleasing, harmonious sounds

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

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

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

the interpretation or analysis of a text

a forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade

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

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

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

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

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

the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses

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

A story containing unreal, imaginary features.

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

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

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

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

a statement that seems contradictory but is actually true

a synonym for poetry

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

a series of comparisons between two unlike objects

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

a saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth

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

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

The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning

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

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

language with implied meaning

a concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement

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

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

The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

poetry written in iambic pentameter

The interrelationship among the events in a story

the excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death

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

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

a sentence containing a deliberate omission of words.

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

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

a figure of speech that compares unlike objects

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

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

grating, inharmonious sounds

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

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

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

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

an eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem

a mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation

Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect.

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

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

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

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

Central idea of a work of literature

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

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

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

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

a structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative.

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

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

The dictionary definition of a word

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness

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

the choice of words in speech and writing.

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

the use of insincere or overdone sentimentality

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

a work of literature dealing with rural life

a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry

providing hints of things to come in a story or play

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

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

the author's attitude toward the subject

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

the suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase

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

A term often used as a synonym for realism

a grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things

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

a term for the title character of a work of literature

a comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things

a narrative told by a character involved in the story

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

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

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

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

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

inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects

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

The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer

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

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

That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow

an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture

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

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