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173 terms
AP Literary Terms (Expanded)
AP Literary Terms, taken from Barron's 2008 edition of their AP English Lit and Comp study book. Some definitions may be modified to allow them to function better with Space Race.
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 couched in metaphorical language
allegory
A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical, or possibly an ethical meaning
alliteration
The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose
allusion
A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea
ambiguity
A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation
anachronism
A person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set
analogy
A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things
annotation
A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature
antagonist
A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist produces tension or conflict
antithesis
A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences: "They promised freedom but provided slavery"
aphorism
A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment
Apollonian
In contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior
apostrophe
A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present
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
bard
A poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment
bathos
The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality
belle-lettres
French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general
bibliography
A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.
Bildungsroman
A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal
blank verse
Poetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton
bombast
Inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects
burlesque
A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation
cacophony
Grating, inharmonious sounds
caesura
A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always) marked by punctuation
canon
The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied
caricature
A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things
carpe diem
Literally, "seize the day"; enjoy life while you can, a common theme in literature
catharsis
A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy
classic
A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time
classicism
Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint
climax
The high point, or turning point, of a story or play
coming-of-age story
A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment, education, doses of reality, or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturity
conceit
A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language
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
couplet
A pair of rhyming lines in a poem
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
In literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem
diction
The choice of words in oral and written discourse
Dionysian
As distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses
dramatic irony
A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character, ex. Oedipus Rex
elegy
A poem or prose selection that laments or mediates on the passing or death of something or someone of value
ellipsis
Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation
elliptical construction
A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words. In the sentence "May was hot and June the same," the verb "was" is omitted from the second clause
empathy
A feeling of association or identification with an object or person
end-stopped
A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.
enjambment
In poetry, the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them
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, i.e. Odysseus, Beowulf, Homer's Iliad, Vergil's Aeneid.
epigram
A concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement
euphony
Pleasing, harmonious sounds
epithet
An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing, ex. sun-bright topaz, sun-lit lake, sun-bright lake
eponymous
A term for the title character of a work of literature
euphemism
A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term; i.e. "pass away" instead of "die"
exegesis
A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of literature
expose
A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings
exposition
The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature
explication
The interpretation or analysis of a text.
extended metaphor
A series of comparisons between two unlike objects
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
falling action
The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict
fantasy
A story containing unreal, imaginary features
farce
A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose.
figurative language
Also called figure of speech. In contrast to literal language, it implies meanings. Includes metaphors, similes, and personification, among others.
first-person narrative
A narrative told by a character involved in the story, using first-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.
foot
A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.
foreshadowing
Providing hints of things to come in a story or play
frame
A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative
free verse
A kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm, or fixed metrical feet
genre
A term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay
Gothic novel
A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action
harangue
A forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade
heroic couplet
Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.
hubris
The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death
humanism
A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity
hyperbole
Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect
idyll
A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place
image
A word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or felt
in medias res
"In the middle of things"--a Latin term for a narrative that starts not at the beginning of events, but at some other critical point.
indirect quotation
A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased
invective
A direct verbal assault; a denunciation
irony
A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected
kenning
A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities, as in "ring-giver" for king and "whale-road" for ocean
lampoon
A mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation
light verse
A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, but sometimes with a satirical thrust
litotes
A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. Ex: He's not a bad dancer
loose sentence
A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences, i.e. subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses
lyric poetry
Personal, reflective poetry that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject
maxim
A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth
melodrama
A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response
metaphor
A figure of speech that compares unlike objects
metaphysical poetry
The work of poets, particularly those of the seventeenth century, that uses elaborate conceits, is highly intellectual, and expresses the complexities of love and life
meter
The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry
metonymy
A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated. Ex: "The White House says..."
Middle English
The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 A.D.
mock epic
A parody of traditional epic form. It usually treats a frivolous topic with extreme seriousness, using conventions such as invocations to the Muse, action-packed battle scenes, and accounts of heroic exploits.
mode
The general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a work of literature
montage
A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea
mood
The emotional tone in a work of literature
moral
A brief and often simplistic lesson that a reader may infer from a work of literature
motif
A phrase, idea, or event that through repetition serves to unify or convey a theme in a work of literature
muse
One of the ancient Greek goddesses presiding over the arts. The imaginary source of inspiration for an artist or writer
myth
An imaginary story that has become an accepted part of the cultural or religious tradition of a group or society
narrative
A form of verse or prose that tells a story
naturalism
A term often used as a synonym for realism, also a view of experience that is generally characterized as bleak and pessimistic.
non sequitur
A statement or idea that fails to follow logically from the one before
novella
A work of fiction of roughly 20,000 to 50,000 words--longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel
novel of manners
A novel focusing on and describing the social customs and habits of a particular social group
ode
A lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful, and exalted feeling towards the subject
Old English
The Anglo-Saxon language spoken in what is now England from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.
omniscient narrator
A narrator with unlimited awareness, understanding, and insight of characters, setting, background, and all other elements of the story
onomatopoeia
The use of words whose sounds suggest their meaning
ottava rima
An eight-line rhyming stanza of a poem
oxymoron
A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical effect
parable
A story consisting of events from which a moral or spiritual truth may be derived
paradox
A statement that seems self-contradictory but is nevertheless true
paraphrase
A version of a text put into simpler, everyday words
pastoral
A work of literature dealing with rural life
pathetic fallacy
Faulty reasoning that inappropriately ascribes human feelings to nature or nonhuman objects
pathos
That element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow
pentameter
A verse with five poetic feet per line
periodic sentence
A sentence that departs from the usual word order of English sentences by expressing its main though only at the end. In other words, the particulars in the sentence are presented before the idea they support.
persona
The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader, a viewer, or the world at large
personification
A figure of speech in which objects and animals are given human characteristics
plot
The interrelationship among the events in a story; the plot line is the pattern of events, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
picaresque novel
An episodic novel about a roguelike wanderer who lives off his wits. Ex: Don Quixote, Moll Flanders
point of view
The relation in which a narrator or speaker stands to the story or subject matter of a poem.
prosody
The grammar of meter and rhythm in poetry
protagonist
The main character in a work of literature
pseudonym
Also called "pen name" or "nom de plume"; a false name or alias used by writers. Ex: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
pulp fiction
Novels written for mass consumption, often emphasizing exciting and titillating plots
pun
A humorous play on words, using similar-sounding or identical words to suggest different meanings
quatrain
A four-line poem or a four-line unit of a longer poem
realism
The depiction of people, things, and events as they really are without idealization or exaggeration for effect.
rhetoric
The language of a work and its style; words, often highly emotional, used to convince or sway an audience
rhetorical stance
Language that conveys a speaker's attitude or opinion with regard to a particular subject
rhyme
The repetition of similar sounds at regular intervals, used mostly in poetry.
rhyme scheme
The pattern of rhymes within a given poem
rhythm
The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that make up a line of poetry
roman a clef
French for a novel in which hisotrical events and actual people appear under the guise of fiction
romance
An extended narrative about improbable events and extraordinary people in exotic places
sarcasm
A sharp, caustic expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt; different from irony, which is more subtle
satire
A literary style used to poke fun at, attack, or ridicule an idea, vice, or foible, often for the purpose of inducing change
scan
The act of determining the meter of a poetic line.
sentiment
A synonym for view or feeling; also a refined and tender emotion in literature
sentimental
A term that describes characters' excessive emotional response to experience; also nauseatingly nostalgic and mawkish
setting
The total environment for the action in a novel or play. It includes time, place, historical milieu, and social, political, and even spiritual circumstances
simile
A figurative comparison using the words like or as
sonnet
A popular form of verse consisting of fourteen lines and a prescribed rhyme scheme.
stanza
A group of two or more lines in poetry combined according to subject matter, rhyme, or some other plan
stream of consciousness
A style of writing in which the author tries to reproduce the random flow of thoughts in the human mind
style
The manner in which an author uses and arranges words,
subplot
A subordinate or minor collection of events in a novel or play, usually connected to the main plot
subtext
The implied meaning that underlies the main meaning of a work of literature
symbolism
The use of one object to evoke ideas and associations not literally part of the original object
synecdoche
A figure of speech in which a part signifies the whole ("fifty masts" for fifty ships) or the whole signifies the part ("days" for life, as in "He lived his days in Canada"). Also when the name of the material stands for the thing itself ("pigskin" for football)
syntax
The organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has a particular pattern of words
theme
The main idea or meaning, often an abstract idea upon which a work of literature is built
title character
A character whose name appears in the title of the novel or play; also known as the eponymous character
tone
The author's attitude toward the subject being written about. The spirit or quality that is the work's emotional essence
tragedy
A form of literature in which the hero is destroyed by some character flaw and a set of forces that cause the hero considerable anguish
trope
The generic name for a figure of speech such as image, symbol, simile, and metaphor
verbal irony
A discrepancy between the true meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the written or spoken words
verse
A synonym for poetry. Also a group of lines in a song or poem; also a single line of poetry
verisimilitude
Similar to the truth; the quality of realism in a work that persuades readers that they are getting a vision of life as it is.
versification
The structural form of a line of verse as revealed by the number of feet it contains. For example: monometer = 1foot; tetrameter = 4 feet; pentameter = 5 feet, and so forth
villanelle
A French verse form calculated to appear simple and spontaneous but consisting of nineteen lines and a prescribed pattern of rhymes
voice
The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker
wit
The quickness of intellect and the power and talent for saying brilliant things that suprise and delight by their unexpectedness; the power to comment subtly and pointedly on the foibles of the passing scene