Studied by 5 people
2024 AHS APLIT Mr. Reiter
Abstract (noun and adjective) Noun
a summary of the contents of a book, article, or formal speech; Adjective
Adage
a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth.
Allegory
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Allusion
an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
Anachronism
an error of chronology in which something, such as an object or event, is placed in the wrong time
Analogy
a comparison of two otherwise unlike things based on resemblance of a particular aspect
Anecdote
a short, amusing account of something that has happened
Anti-hero
a central chracter in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes
Antithesis
a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else. (Peace is the very antithesis of war).
Apologue
a moral fable, especially one with animals as characters.
Archetype
a very typical example of a certain person or thing- the first of its kind, especially in a literary sense
Aside
a private discussion in which a character shares their thoughts with the audience. For the purposes of the narrative, the other actors on stage “cannot” hear these thoughts. An aside can also be the same thing, but shared between two or more characters, again excluding the hearing of other characters on the stage
Bard
a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition. When capitalized, The Bard refers to William Shakepeare.
Bathos
Intended loftiness that fails - an effect of anticlimax created by an unintentional lapse in mood from the sublime to the trivial or ridiculous.
Belles-lettres
literally “beautiful letters” in French. Writing that is fanciful, elegantly phrased, ornate, light, sophisticated, entertaining.
Bestiary
a medieval tale involving animals. It presented real and legendary creatures as living allegories, with their physical and behavioral characteristics symbolizing central aspects of the Christian faith
Bombastic
marked by or given to speech or writing that is given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means
Burlesque
a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation
Caricature
Exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics
Carpe diem
The enjoyment of the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future. Literally “seize the day”
Catharsis/cathartic
a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension through the emotional agitations in a work of art.
Classicism/Neoclassicism
the following of traditional and long-established theories or styles, based upon the Greco-Roman ideal of balance, simplicity, restraint, dignity.
Climax
The most intense, exciting, or important point of a story; a culmination or apex.
Comic relief
comic episodes in a dramatic or literary work that offset more serious sections- relieving tension.
Concrete
the opposite of abstract, solid ideas or thoughts
Connotation
the use of a word to suggest a different association than its literal meaning.
Context
background information or circumstances provided to inform why something is taking place.
Dark humor (gallows humor)
humor that treats serious, frightening, or painful subject matter in a light or satirical way.
Denotation
A specific, literal meaning as opposed to an emotional or abstract one (noun)
Denouement
Literally means unraveling or resolution … The finale of a piece of work where the plot comes together and is resolved (noun)
Deus ex machina
Literally “God out of machine” A plot device where an improbable, or magical,or supernatural, or simply extremely unlikely event happens out of nowhere with not much explanation to save a hopeless situation (noun)
Diction
The choice of words an author uses (noun)
Didacticism
literature serving as a means to teach the reader something (tends to be preachy or moralizing)
Empathy
understanding and sharing others' feelings , thoughts, emotions, and experiences
Epigram
a short saying that is usually in verse that has a quick satirical twist at the end (usually witty)
Epigraph
a short quote placed at the beginning of a piece of writing
Epilogue
an optional final chapter of a book that may serve a variety of purposes (concluding/bringing closure to events, wrapping up loose ends, reporting the fates of characters after the main story)
Epistle (epistolary)
a composition in prose or poetry written in the form of a letter(s) to a particular person or group (Dracula is an epistolary novel).
Epitaph
a short statement about a deceased person, often carved on his/her tombstone
Exemplum
an example or model, especially a moralizing or illustrative story
Existentialism
a philosophical or literary perspective focusing on the experience of an individual and how that individual sees the world/ their existence. (The idea that one creates their own meaning and thereby their own reality)
Explication
analyzing and developing an idea or principle in great detail to reveal its meaning.
Exposition
background information within a narrative. Also- the beginning of a story, its purpose being to lay out the basic background information.
Fable
a short fiction story with a lesson, often involving anthropomorphized animals.
Fabliaux
Noun. A metrical tale, typically a bawdily humorous one, of a type found chiefly in early French poetry.
Falling action/rising action
Rising action is the events that build tensions and lead to the climax. Falling action is the consequences of the climax that lead to the resolution.
Fantasy
(noun) The faculty or activity of imagining things, especially things that are impossible or improbable.
Farce
(noun) a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations
Figurative language/metaphorical language
a type of communication that does not use a word’s strict or realistic meaning
Flashback
(Move to) a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story
Foil
a character with surface similarities who contrasts with another character on a deeper level … the similarities highlight the underlying differences
Foreshadowing
be a warning or indication of (a future event)
Genre
a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form or content. “Short Story” / “Poem” / Novel / Play
Hamartia (tragic flaw)
a flaw in a character that brings about the downfall of the hero of a tragedy.
Hubris
a character's exaggerated pride and self
In medias res
in or into the middle of a narrative or plot. A story beginning in the chronological middle of an episode
Invective
One person insults another through their tone and language (it is the insult- often used with the work “hurl”)
Inversion
reversing the standard order of words and phrases
Invocation
a call or address to a deity/muse for inspiration or guidance
Irony (dramatic, situational, verbal)
when the audience knows information that is being withheld from characters; an outcome is different than what was expected; say one thing that differs from the actualities of the situation
Lampoon
to criticize someone or something by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm.
Litotes
an ironic understatement in which an affirmative statement by the negative of its contrary (She was not a quiet child).
Malapropism
the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one with an unintentionally, amusing effect
Meiosis
a figure of speech that intentionally understates something or implies that it is lesser in significance than it really is. (Opposite of hyperbole)
Metaphysical (poets/poetry)
a 17th century movement based on turning inward to unify the self, whereby poets sought more direct, personal, sometimes mystical bonds to divinity
Mode
A subcategory of genre (fantasy novel, tragic play, horror story, love poem)
Monologue
A long speech by one actor in a play or movie, or as part of a theatrical or broadcast program.
Mood (atmosphere)
overall emotion the author intends the reader to feel while reading the book.
Morality play
A certain type of drama with personified abstract qualities as the main characters and presenting a lesson about good conduct and character. (Vices and virtues were named and played as their meanings suggested
Motif
(n.) a usually recurring salient thematic element
Muse
(n.) a source of inspiration, usually a person
Naturalism (realism)
(n.) Realism attempted to depict things as they actually are, which contrasted with the previously dominant aesthetic of romanticism. Naturalism attempted to depict things realistically, but focused on determinism, or the inability of people to resist their circumstances.
Parable
(n.) a short story or narrative designed to deliver a moral or spiritual lesson (must operate on two different levels)
Parody
an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.
Pastoral
a work of literature portraying an idealized version of country life.
Persona
the aspect of someone's character that is presented to or perceived by others (In Greek drama, the masks worn to convey the different moods).
Point of view
It's the angle from which readers experience the plot, observe the characters' behavior, and learn about their world. (first, third, omniscient, limited)
Précis
summary or abstract of a text or speech
Proem
a preface or preamble to a book or speech
Prologue
a separate introductory section of a literary or musical work
Prose
written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure
Protagonist
The main character in a story
Pun
a play on words regarding a word’s several meanings or the fact that a word can sound like another.
Renaissance
the period in European history spanning the 14th - 16th centuries in which there was a rebirth and revival of classical interest- that of Greek and Roman literature, drama, architecture, painting, sculpture, and culture.
Rhetoric
The real meaning behind the purpose of a written text or speech and what the point of the text is ultimately trying to get you to feel or do.
Romanticism
a movement in the arts and literature that originated in the late 18th century emphasizing innovation over traditionalism; the idea that the essential element of art (particularly poetry) is the artist’s/poet’s own feelings; often features nature, the landscape, flora and fauna as a subject; in poetry, this is the beginning of the poet themself as the first person speaker and subject of their own poetry; Romantic poets had the idea that theirs was a great age of new beginnings and endless possibilities.
Sarcasm
Using irony with the purpose of insulting or mocking another person.
Satire
the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
Setting
the time and place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place.
Stream of consciousness
a literary style originating in the late 19th century in which all of a character’s thoughts, feelings and reactions are depicted in a continuous, uninterrupted flow
Style
refers to the way in which a writer writes. It takes into account literary devices like diction, tone, figurative language, and word choice and creates a 'voice' for the writer. Every writer has an individual style.
Syllogism
(noun) an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion (ex, all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs ).
Syntax
(noun) the arrangement of words and punctuation being arranged in order to form clauses and sentences.
Tetralogy
(noun) Four connected musical and theatrical works.
Theater of the absurd
(noun) A theatrical movement that represents the selfishness and pointlessness of the human existence and perseverance in the world.
Tragedy
(noun) A genre of drama that is based of the suffering and troubles of a character. The purpose is to cause amusement and entertainment to the audience.
Trilogy
a group of three related novels, plays, films, operas, or albums.
Unities
the three principles that require a play to have a single action represented as occurring in a single place and within the course of a single day. These principles are called unity of action, unity of place, and unity of time.
Verse
poetic lines with meter or rhythm
Verisimilitude
the idea that literature should somehow be true to reality. (The striking illusion of reality- YOU ARE THERE)
