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AP English > Literary Terms > Flashcards

Literary Terms Flashcards

(75 cards)

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1
Q

Allegory

A

A work that functions on a symbolic level.

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2
Q

Alliteration

A

The repetition of initial consonant sounds

Eg. Peter piper picked a peck of…

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3
Q

Allusion

A

A reference contained in a work to something from history/ mythology/ bible

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4
Q

Antagonist

A

The force or character that opposes the main character, the protagonist

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5
Q

Cacophony

A

Harsh and dissonant sounds in a line or passage of literary work

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6
Q

Catharsis

A

According to Aristotle the release of emotion that the audience if tragedy experiences

Purging of pity and fear

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7
Q

Character + different types

A

One who carries out the action of the plot in literature. Major, minor, static and dynamic are types of characters

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8
Q

Climax

A

Turning point of action or character in a literary work, usually the highest moment of tension

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9
Q

Conflict and list examples

A

A clash between opposing forces in a literary work such as man v. Man, man v. Nature, man v. God, man v. Self

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10
Q

Connotation

A

The interpretive meaning of a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning

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11
Q

Convention

A

A traditional aspect of literary work, such as a soliloquy in a Shakespearean play or a tragic hero in a Greek tragedy

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12
Q

Denotation

A

The literal or dictionary meaning of a word

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13
Q

Denouement

A

The conclusion or the tying up of loose ends in a literary work; the resolution of the conflict and plot

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14
Q

Diction

A

Authors choice of words

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15
Q

Euphony

A

The pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds in a literary work

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16
Q

Exposition

A

Background information presented in a literary work

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17
Q

Fable

A

A simple, symbolic story, usually employing animals as characters. Aristotle and La Fontaine are authors who excel in this form

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18
Q

Figurative language

A

The body of devices that enables a writer to operate on levels other than the literal one. It includes metaphor, simile , symbol, motif, hyperbole and others

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19
Q

Flashback

A

A device that enables writers to refer to past thoughts, events, episodes

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20
Q

Foreshadowing

A

Hints at future events in literary work

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21
Q

Form

A

The shape or structure of a literary work

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22
Q

Hyperbole

A

Extreme exaggeration

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23
Q

Image

A

A verbal approximation of a sensory impression, concept or emotion

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24
Q

Imagery

A

The total effect of related sensory images in a work of literature

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25
Impressionism
Writing that reflects a personal image of character, event, or concept
26
Irony
An unexpected twist or contrast between what happens and what was intended for expected to happen. It involves dialogue and situation and can be intentional or unplanned. Dramatic irony centers around the ignorance of those involved while the audience is aware of the circumstance
27
Magical realism
A type of literature that explores narratives by and about characters who inhabit and experience their reality differently from what e term the objective world. Writers who are frequently placed in this category are Gabriela Garcia Marquez , Gunter grass, Isabel Allende
28
Metaphor
A direct comparison between dissimilar things. Eg. Your eyes are stars
29
Metonymy
A figure of speech in which a representative term is used for a larger idea Eg. The pen is mightier than the sword
30
Motif
The repetition or variations of an image or idea in a work which is used to develop them or characters
31
Onomatopoeia
Words that sound like what they represent Eg. Hiss, gurgle, bang
32
Oxymoron
An image of contradictory terms Eg. Bittersweet, pretty ugly
33
Parable
A story that operates on more than one level and that usually teaches a moral lesson
34
Paradox
A set of seemingly contradictory elements which never tieless reflects an underlying truth. Eg. Die to live
35
Parallel plot
A secondary story line that mimics and reinforces the main plot Eg. King Lear
36
Parody
A comic imitation of a work that ridicules the original
37
Pathos
The aspects of a literary work that elicit pity from the audience
38
Personification
The assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts
39
Plot
Sequence of events in a literary work
40
Point of view
The method of narration in a work
41
Protagonist
The hero or main character of a literary work, the character the audience sympathizes with.
42
Resolution
The denouement of a literary work
43
Rhetorical question
A question that does not expect an explicit answer. It is used to pose an idea to considered by the speaker or audience.
44
Romanticism
A style or movement of literature that has as its foundation an interest in freedom, adventure, idealism, and escape.
45
Satire
A model of writing based on ridicule, which criticizes the foibles and follies of society without necessarily offering a solution. Eg. A modest proposal - Jonathan swift
46
Setting
Time and place of a literary work
47
Simile
An indirect comparison that uses the word like or as to link the differing items in the comparison Eg. Your eyes are like stars
48
Structure
The organization and form of a work
49
Style
The unique way an author presents his ideas. Diction, syntax, imagery, structure, and content all contribute to a particular style.
50
Subplot
A secondary plot that explores ideas differently from the main story line. Eg. In hamlet , the main storyline has hamlet avenging his father's death. The subplot has hamlet dealing with his love for Ophelia.
51
Subtext
Implied meaning of a work Or section of a work.
52
Symbol
Something in a literary work that stands for something else.
53
Synecdoche
A figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of the whole. Eg. All hands on deck
54
Theme
The underlying ideas that the author illustrates through characterization, motifs, language, plot etc.
55
Tone
The author's attitude toward their subject
56
Tragic hero
According to aristotle, a basically good person of noble birth or exhalted position who has a fatal flaw or commits an error in judgement which leads to his downfall. The tragic hero must have a moment of realization and live and suffer.
57
Understatement
The opposite of exaggeration. Used for developing irony and humor.
58
Point of view
The method of narration in a work
59
Protagonist
The hero or main character of a literary work, the character the audience sympathizes with.
60
Resolution
The denouement of a literary work
61
Rhetorical question
A question that does not expect an explicit answer. It is used to pose an idea to considered by the speaker or audience.
62
Romanticism
A style or movement of literature that has as its foundation an interest in freedom, adventure, idealism, and escape.
63
Satire
A model of writing based on ridicule, which criticizes the foibles and follies of society without necessarily offering a solution. Eg. A modest proposal - Jonathan swift
64
Setting
Time and place of a literary work
65
Simile
An indirect comparison that uses the word like or as to link the differing items in the comparison Eg. Your eyes are like stars
66
Structure
The organization and form of a work
67
Style
The unique way an author presents his ideas. Diction, syntax, imagery, structure, and content all contribute to a particular style.
68
Subplot
A secondary plot that explores ideas differently from the main story line. Eg. In hamlet , the main storyline has hamlet avenging his father's death. The subplot has hamlet dealing with his love for Ophelia.
69
Subtext
Implied meaning of a work Or section of a work.
70
Symbol
Something in a literary work that stands for something else.
71
Synecdoche
A figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of the whole. Eg. All hands on deck
72
Theme
The underlying ideas that the author illustrates through characterization, motifs, language, plot etc.
73
Tone
The author's attitude toward their subject
74
Tragic hero
According to aristotle, a basically good person of noble birth or exhalted position who has a fatal flaw or commits an error in judgement which leads to his downfall. The tragic hero must have a moment of realization and live and suffer.
75
Understatement
The opposite of exaggeration. Used for developing irony and humor.

AP English (3 decks)

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