Ap literature terms

Anti hero

A protagonist who lacks the characteristics that would make him a hero (or her a heroine). Ex. Rorschach

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event. Ex. Pandora’s box

Nemesis

The protagonist’s arch enemy or supreme and persistent difficulty. Ex. Joker to Batman.

Tragic flaw

The character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall. Ex Walter white’s ego.

Theme

A main idea or moral lesson of the story. Ex coming of age.

Dramatic irony

(Theater) irony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play. Example: remeo thinking Juliet is dead

Melodrama

A form of cheesy theater in which the hero is very, very good, the villain mean and rotten and the heroine oh-so-pure. Ex: titanic

Gothic novel

A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action. Ex: Frankenstein

Foreshadowing

The use of hints and clue to suggest what will happen later in a plot. Ex: Lenny keeps killing animals then a person

Allegory

A literary work in which the attached represent abstract ideals; a symbolic representation. Ex: animal farm-Soviet revolution.

Symbolism

A device in literature where an object represents an idea. Ex: rabbits in mice in men represent lennies dream

Motif

A recurring element in a literary work-such as an image, symbol, phrase ,situation, or idea-that helps develop or reinforce the themes of the story. Ex: red represents love

Hyperbole

A figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor. Ex: I’m so hungry I can eat a horse

Irony

A contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens. Ex butcher shop worker didn’t have meat for dinner.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two or more ideas, characters, actions, or images side by side (or close together) to highlight their contrasts or sometimes unexpected similarities. Ex: good and evil against each other

Foil

a character whose personality and attitude contrast sharply with those of another (cheery sales guy, grumpy hunter)

Hubris

excessive pride or arrogance that results in the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy(bunny racing the tortoise falling asleep)

Parody

a work which imitates another in a ridiculous (scary movie movies)

Satire

a literary work that ridicules or criticizes a human vice through humor or derision( video joking about politics being paid)

Stock character

standard or clichéd character types: the drunk, the mise foolish girl, etc.

Analogy

A comparison of two different things that are similar in some way. (Cats and dogs both are pets to humans)

Connotation

The implied or associative meaning of a word. (House vs Home)

Diction

A writer’s or speaker’s choice of words.

(Romeo’s description of love, cold fire, oxymoron)

Dynamic character

A character who undergoes significant internal change throughout the course of a story. This change typically involves their personality, beliefs, values, attitudes, or understanding of themselves or the world around them.

Flat character

A character who is relatively simple and one-dimensional, typically defined by a single trait, quality, or idea. Flat characters lack complexity and psychological depth. (Doodlebob)

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

Aphorism

A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life

Colloquialism

Informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word ex.

Anecdote

A short narrative ex: friend telling a short story

Metaphor

A figure of speech comparing to unlike things without using like or as ex: she has a heart of gold

Pathos

A quality that evoked emotions (especially pity or sorrow)

Onomatopoeia

The use of words that imitate sounds

Dissonance

Harsh or grating sounds that do not go together.

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event. Ex. Pandora’s box

Nemesis

The protagonist’s arch enemy or supreme and persistent difficulty. Ex. Joker to Batman.

Tragic flaw

The character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall. Ex Walter white’s ego.

Theme

A main idea or moral lesson of the story. Ex coming of age.

Dramatic irony

(Theater) irony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play. Example: remeo thinking Juliet is dead

Melodrama

A form of cheesy theater in which the hero is very, very good, the villain mean and rotten and the heroine oh-so-pure. Ex: titanic

Gothic novel

A novel in which supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terrors pervades the action. Ex: Frankenstein

Foreshadowing

The use of hints and clue to suggest what will happen later in a plot. Ex: Lenny keeps killing animals then a person

Allegory

A literary work in which the attached represent abstract ideals; a symbolic representation. Ex: animal farm-Soviet revolution.

Symbolism

A device in literature where an object represents an idea. Ex: rabbits in mice in men represent lennies dream

Motif

A recurring element in a literary work-such as an image, symbol, phrase ,situation, or idea-that helps develop or reinforce the themes of the story. Ex: red represents love

Hyperbole

A figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor. Ex: I’m so hungry I can eat a horse

Irony

A contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens. Ex butcher shop worker didn’t have meat for dinner.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two or more ideas, characters, actions, or images side by side (or close together) to highlight their contrasts or sometimes unexpected similarities. Ex: good and evil against each other

Foil

a character whose personality and attitude contrast sharply with those of another (cheery sales guy, grumpy hunter)

Hubris

excessive pride or arrogance that results in the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy(bunny racing the tortoise falling asleep)

Parody

a work which imitates another in a ridiculous (scary movie movies)

Satire

a literary work that ridicules or criticizes a human vice through humor or derision( video joking about politics being paid)

Stock character

standard or clichéd character types: the drunk, the mise foolish girl, etc.

Analogy

A comparison of two different things that are similar in some way. (Cats and dogs both are pets to humans)

Connotation

The implied or associative meaning of a word. (House vs Home)

Diction

A writer’s or speaker’s choice of words.

(Romeo’s description of love, cold fire, oxymoron)

Dynamic character

A character who undergoes significant internal change throughout the course of a story. This change typically involves their personality, beliefs, values, attitudes, or understanding of themselves or the world around them.

Ex: Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.

Flat character

A character who is relatively simple and one-dimensional, typically defined by a single trait, quality, or idea. Flat characters lack complexity and psychological depth. (Doodlebob)

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

Ex: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Aphorism

A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life

Ex: 'Actions speak louder than words.'

Colloquialism

Informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing

Ex: 'Gonna' instead of 'going to', 'y'all' instead of 'you all'.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds

Ex: 'Hear the mellow wedding bells' – the repetition of the 'e' sound.

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word ex.

Ex: The denotation of 'blue' is the color blue, whereas its connotation might be sadness.

Anecdote

A short narrative ex: friend telling a short story

Metaphor

A figure of speech comparing to unlike things without using like or as ex: she has a heart of gold

Pathos

A quality that evoked emotions (especially pity or sorrow)

Ex: A charity advertisement showing starving children to encourage donations.

Onomatopoeia

The use of words that imitate sounds

Ex: 'Buzz', 'pop', 'hiss'.

Dissonance

Harsh or grating sounds that do not go together.

Ex: The clashing sounds of cymbals and a discordant piano in an avant-garde composition.