AP Seminar Vocab

Abstract

N. Abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research

Ad hominem

Directed to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason

The adage, Aphorism, Maxim

A saying or proverb containing a generally accepted truth or sentiment

Allegory

A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface S+S+S+...

Alliteration

Repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines in a poem

Allusion

Reference to a person, place, event, meant to create an effect or enhance meaning

Ambiguity

Avagueness of meaning; conscious lack of clarity to evoke multiple meanings or interpretations

Anachronism

Person, scene, or event that fails to correspond with the appropriate time era

Analogy

The comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things

Anecdote

The brief narrative is often used to illustrate an idea or make a point

Annotation

A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature

Antagonist

Character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict

Antecedent

A word to which a pronoun refers

Antithesis

Rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences

Apollonian

In contrast to Dionysian, refers to the noblest, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior

Apostrophe

A locution that addresses a person or personified thing not present

Arch

Characterized by clever or sly humor, often saucy, playful

Archetype

An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a model or form

Assonance

Repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words in prose or poetry

Bard

A poet

Bathos

Insincere or overdone sentimentality Belles-Lettres French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general

Burlesque

A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation

Cacophony Grating

inharmonious sounds

Canon

The works considered important in national literature or period

Caricature

likeness of striking qualities in persons and things

Carpe Diem

Seize the day a common theme

Circumlocution

Literally "talking around" a subject

Bombast

inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects

Classic

A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time

Classical, classicism

Derives from orderly qualities of Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint

Clause

Structural element of a sentence consisting of a subject and verb

Climax

The high point, or turning point of a story

Comparison/contrast

A mode of discourse in which two or more things are compared and contrasted

Conceit

An elaborate, usually intellectually ingenious poetic comparison or image, such as an analogy or metaphor

Concrete detail

A highly specific , particular, often real, actual, or tangible detail; the opposite of abstract

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

Critique

An analysis or assessment of a thing or situation for the purpose of determining its nature, its limitations, and its conformity to a set of standards

Cynic

One who expects and observes nothing but the worst of human conduct

Deductive reasoning

A method of reasoning by which specific definitions, conclusions, and theorems are drawn from general principles

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word

Denouement

The resolution that occurs at the end of a story

Descriptive detail

Graphic, exact, and accurate presentation of the characteristics of a person, place, or thing

Deus ex machine

In literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem

Diction

An author's choice of words

Didactic

Having an instructive purpose

Digression

Portion of writing that wanders or departs from the main subject or topic

Dionysian

Distinguished from Apollonian, refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses

Dramatic irony

The audience or reader knows something about a situation that a character does not know

Elegy

Poem or prose that laments on the passing or death of someone or something

Ellipses

... indicates the omission of words in a thought or quotation

Elliptical construction

A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words.

Empathy

A feeling of association or identification with an object or person (what it is to BE them)

Epic

A narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero

Epigram

A concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement

Euphony

Pleasing, harmonious sounds

Epithet

An adjective or phrase that captures a quality of a person or thing

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

Exegesis

A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of prose or poetry

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 an essay or other work; setting forth the meaning or purpose of a piece of writing or discourse

Explication

The interpretation or analysis of a text

Extended metaphor

Series of comparisons between two unlike objects

Fable

A short tale often with nonhuman characters from which a useful lesson may be drawn

Fallacy, fallacious reasoning

An incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information

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

Figure of speech, figurative language

Implies meaning, not literal, like metaphor, simile, personification

Frame

Structure that provides a promise or setting for a narrative or other discourse

Genre

A term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, essay

Harangue

A forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade

Homily

A lecture or sermon on a religious or moral theme meant to guide human behavior

Hubris

Excessive pride in a character which leads to his or her downfall

Humanism

A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity

Hyperbole

Overstatement, gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect

Idyll

Lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place

Imagery

The use of sensory images in speech and writing

Indirect quotation

A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased

Inductive reasoning

Method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization

Inference

Conclusion or proposition arrived at by considering facts, observations, or other data

Invective

Direct verbal assault; a denunciation

Irony

When the opposite of what is expected happens

Kenning

The name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities

Lampoon

A mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation

Litotes

Form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity

Loose sentence

A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause or main clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.

Lyrical prose

Personal, reflective prose that reveals the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the subject

Malapropism

A confused use of words in which the appropriate word is replaced by one with a similar sound but inappropriate meaning

Maxim

A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth (adage, aphorism)

Melodrama

A literary form in which events are exaggerated to create an extreme emotional response

Metaphor

Figure of speech, compares two unlike objects

Metaphysical

Describes poetry that uses elaborate conceits, expresses complexities of love and life, and is highly intellectual

Metonymy

Figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated

Middle English

The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 AD

Mock Epic

A parody of traditional epic form

Mock Solemnity

Feigned or deliberately artificial seriousness, often for satirical purposes

Mode

The general form, pattern, and manner of expression of a piece of discourse

Montage

A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea

Mood

The emotional tone or prevailing atmosphere in a work of literature or other discourse