AP Literature

Anaphora

Definition: Repeats the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences

Purpose: Used to draw attention to a specific word or phrase, emphasize the importance of a word or phrase, or reinforce a central idea

Epistrophe

Definition: Repeating a word or phrase at the end of a successive sentence

Purpose: Used to draw attention to a specific word or phrase, emphasize the importance of a word or phrase, or reinforce a central idea

Asyndeton

Def: Omission of conjunctions such as “and”, “or” or “but”

Purpose: Used to accelerate pace, create a sense of urgency, create a sense of incompleteness, create emphasis

Polysyndeton

Def: Repeated use of conjunctions, like "and" or "but", in close proximity

Purpose: Used to emphasize individual items in a sentence, slow down pace, and create intensity

Consonance

Def: repeating consonant sounds in nearby words, regardless of vowel sounds

Example: Chris's backpack was packed with books" repeats the "k" sound in "ch," "ck," and "k".

Purpose: draw attention to certain words or phrases to highlight tight their importance, Harsher sounds create a sense of tension and urgency while softer sounds can evoke a calm or gentle effect

Assonance

Def: a literary device where there's a repetition of similar vowel sounds in words that are close together

Example: “The cat in the hat sat on the mat” repetition of the short “a” sound

Purpose; Used to emphasize certain words or ideas, long vowel sounds might create a sense of calm or melancholy, short vowel sounds could evoke a feeling of tension or urgency

Juxtaposition

Def: placing things side-by-side, often to highlight their differences and create a comparison or contrast

Purpose: reveal the stark differences between two seemingly opposite elements, explore conflict, create tension and depth

Enjambment

Definition: a poetic technique that involves running a sentence or phrase from one line of verse to the next without punctuation

Purpose: speed up the pace, build suspense, emphasize certain words or phrases, and carries ideas across line breaks to maintain momentum

Caesura

Def: a pause or break within a line of verse, usually indicated by punctuation like a comma, period, or dash.

Purpose: disrupts the smooth flow of the line, creating a rhythmic variation and often emphasizing a particular word or phrase, indicates a clear and decisive end, leaving no room for ambiguity or uncertainty

Thesis

In the (book/play/“poem”/“short story”), (name of author) presents (theme) utilizing (literary element) in order to (emphasize/reveal/expose/demonstrate/) (claim).

Topic sentence

Initially, (author name) utilizes (literary element) in order to (present/demonstrate/show) in order to ______.

Evidence

For example, the lines, “insert line/evidence” (create/evoke/prove/imply)

Commentary

-“Evidence” supports (claim) because (evidence) implies ___

-Consequently since ____

Furthermore since ____

Conclusion

Through ______, the novel explores (specific examples related to claim) through the use of _____ in order to _____.

Characters from Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neals Hurston

Main Character: Janie May Crawford

1st Husband: Logan Killicks (Wealth)

2nd Husband: Joe Starks (Power as mayor)

3rd Husband: Teacake (Love)

Characters from Beloved by Toni Morrison

Sethe (Mother to Denver and Beloved)

Denver

Beloved

Paul D.

Baby Suggs (Mother to Halle, Sethes husband)

Themes within Their Eyes Were Watching God

-traditional gender roles (Man role as being a provider, women roles as being subservient)

-Independence and autonomy lead to self-fulfillment

-Indoctrination and instillment of personal beliefs onto others due to trauma

-Racial social hierarchy

Themes within Beloved by Toni Morrison

-Mother and daughter relationship being unable to exist within slavery (emotional attachment to own children is prevented)

-Attempt to kill to prevent/ save children from experiencing the horrors of slavery

-Denver symbolizes hope, willingness for compassion and connection across racial differences

-Dehumanization and loss of identity due to slavery (Sethe wishing to marry but being unable, treated as an animal and as property)

-Grief, Resentment, Guilt, entitlement