AP English Literature Key Concepts and Vocabulary

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts in AP English Literature to aid with understanding literary elements.

Characterization

The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.

Direct Characterization

The author directly tells the reader what the character is like.

Indirect Characterization

The author reveals the character's personality through their actions, speech, or appearance.

Flat Character

A character with only one or two traits, lacking depth.

Round Character

A complex character with many traits and depth.

Protagonist

The main character in a story, often a hero.

Antagonist

The character opposing the protagonist, often seen as a villain.

Foreshadowing

Clues or hints about what will happen later in the story.

Flashback

A scene that interrupts the chronological order to show an event that happened in the past.

Setting

The time and place in which a story takes place.

Theme

The central idea or message in a literary work.

Plot Structure

The sequence of events that make up a story.

Exposition

The introduction of background information, characters, and setting.

Climax

The most intense point in the plot, often the turning point.

Resolution

The final part of the story where conflicts are resolved.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice.

Mood

The atmosphere or emotional condition created by a piece of literature.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates visual representations.

Symbolism

Using symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Allegory

A story that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically moral or political.

Allusion

An indirect reference to another work, person, or event.

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human objects or abstract concepts.

Metaphor

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Simile

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that juxtaposes contradictory elements.

Irony

A literary device where meaning is contrary to appearance or expectation.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a truth.

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements close together to emphasize their differences.