AP LIT VOCAB LIST #1

This is at least the first list being tested

Concrete Poetry

When the literal structure of the poem is a device for meaning

Enjambament

When a sentence or phrase in a poem run over from one line to the next, typing meaning to both lines

Poetic Shift

A change in the poem’s tone, emotion, or direction; it often reveals meaning

Synesthesia

A mix-up of the senses

Flat

A character who is not multi-dimensional or lacks developed motivations

Round

A character whose motivations are developed, conflicting, and complex

Static

A character who does not undergo change-shifts in values, motivations, beliefs for personality

Dynamic

A character who undergoes change-shifts in values, beliefs, or personality

Tragedy

Mirror of comedy. Downfall of a hero

Hegelian (Tragedy)

Not people, but two forces/ Two good goals in opposition

Aristotelian (Tragedy)

Downfall of a good guy

Anagnorisis

Web of fate

Hamartia

[Tragic error] simple mistake

Hubris

[Violet transgression] acting like a god

Nemesis

[Retribution] payback

Peripeteia

[plot reversal] the twist

Narrator

The voice or character telling the story

Unobtrusive (Narrator)

Remains in the background, lets the story unfold, and doesn’t make judgements

Unreliable (Narrator)

Account of events cannot be trusted; possibly deceptive, biased, mentally unstable, immature

Symbolism

Using an object, person, situation or word to represent an abstract idea or quality beyond its literal meaning

Personification

Giving human traits, emotions, or actions to non-human things like animals, objects, or ideas

Dystopia/Utopia

An imagined society where there is a great suffering or injustice

Inductive Reasoning

(Bottom up) going from the specific observations to make generalized conclusions

Deductive Reasoning

(Top down) going from generalized conclusions towards making specific observations

Atmosphere

The sensory details that create the “aura” or “vibes” of the work

Mood

The feeling, the piece of writing evokes the reader from the sensory details

Direct Characterization

The author explicitly tells us the character’s traits, appearance, or personality

Indirect Characterization

Characters traits are revealed through actions, dialogue, thoughts, effects on others and appearance rather than said authority

Literal Imagery

A realistic, direct depiction of something were the words create images exactly as written

Figurative Imagery

Comparison, exaggeration, or symbolism is used to create a mental image that goes beyond the meaning of the word