AP English Literature and Composition Ultimate Guide

Chronological plot structure

\________ is a storytelling technique where events are presented in the order they occur in time.

First person point of view

is a narrative perspective where the story is told from the perspective of "I" or "we".

Omniscent Point of View

also known as the "god-like" perspective, is a narrative technique where the narrator has complete knowledge and awareness of all characters' thoughts, feelings, actions and motivations.

Reading text

literally means interpreting the words exactly as they are written, without adding any additional meaning or interpretation.

Literary analysis

is the practice of examining a literary work, such as a novel, poem or play, and breaking it down into its various components to better understand how they contribute to the whole.

Reading text figuratively

involves looking beyond the literal meaning of words and trying to understand what else might be implied by them.

Episodic plot structure

is a literary technique that involves dividing a story into smaller sections or episodes, each with its own mini-plot.

Cultural references

can also play a role in identifying setting.

Social norms and customs

play an important role in identifying a setting.

Textual evidence

\________ is information from a written work that supports or proves a point being made.

Subplot

\________ is a secondary plot that runs parallel to the main plot in a story.

Adventure

\________ refers to an exciting or unusual experience that involves taking risks and exploring the unknown.

Tragedy

\________ typically involves the main character facing a series of conflicts and obstacles that challenge their beliefs and values.

Romance

\________ is a complex human emotion that involves intense feelings of affection and attachment towards another person.

linear plot structure

A(n) \________ is a type of storytelling in which events unfold in chronological order, with a beginning, middle, and end.

Cyclical plot structure

\________ is a narrative technique in which the story ends where it began, creating a sense of circularity or repetition.

Fantasy

\________ in dramatic situations can be a powerful tool for creating tension and suspense in storytelling.

Good physical description

\________ is an important part of world- building in fiction writing and can also be used effectively in non- fiction writing such as travelogues or memoirs to bring places to life for readers who have not experienced them firsthand.

Mysteries

\________ are a classic element of dramatic situations, as they provide suspense and intrigue that keep the audience engaged.

Perspective

\________ is an individual's interpretation of their own experiences and how they view the world.

Technology

\________ refers to the tools or machines that are used to accomplish tasks.

Demographics

\________ refer to the characteristics of the population in that particular area.

Dialogue

\________: What a character says can also provide clues to their personality traits such as their values, beliefs, intelligence level and emotional state.

Second person point of view

\________ is a writing perspective in which the narrator addresses the reader directly as "you ..

speaker

A "\________ "is the voice that communicates with the reader or audience.

Social norms

\________ and customs play an important role in identifying a setting.

narrator

A(n) \________ is a person or character who tells the story, either in writing or verbally.

non chronological plot structure

A(n) \________ refers to a storytelling technique where events are presented out of sequence, often through the use of flashbacks or other narrative devices.

Third person point of view

\________ is a narrative perspective in which the story is told by an external narrator who refers to characters and events using third- person pronouns such as "he, ""she, "or "they ..

Physical Appearance

\________: The description of the character's physical appearance can give us insights into their personality, background, and social status.

Technology and transportation

can provide important clues about the time period and location in which a story is set.

textual evidence

Using \________ is an important part of forming arguments in academic writing and helps build credibility by showing that your ideas are based on factual information from reliable sources.

Demographics

\________ can also influence how people interact with each other and their environment which may impact how you as an author build out characters or plotlines within your story's setting.

Dialogue

What a character says can also provide clues to their personality traits such as their values, beliefs, intelligence level and emotional state

Actions/Motivations

Actions taken by the characters often help readers understand what drives them to act certain ways (motivations)

Physical Descriptions

refers to the use of descriptive language to provide details about a setting or location.

Comedy

is the use of humor to lighten the mood or provide relief during an intense or serious moment.

Claim

typically refers to the central argument or thesis statement that a writer makes about a particular piece of literature.

Alliteration

\________ and repetitioncan also affect interpretations and assumptions, seeing as they can emphasize associations or ideas.

Diction

\________ in literature is the selection of words employed by an author to give life to their writing and express a certain atmosphere or feeling.

Antecedent

a phrase, clause, or word in which precedes its referent.

Punctuation

\________ is crucial towards understanding the structure of a poem, or any text in general.

Referents

\________ can include clauses, nouns, pronouns, or phrases.

Imagery and figures of speech

are commonly used in literature and writing to create a vivid description or convey an idea.

Shifts

\________ can be determined by punctuation, a structural convention, or simply a word.

Grammar

\________ also contributes to the overall aesthetic of a work, as punctuation, spelling, and word choice are all essential components of any writing.

Literary devices

\________ are a wide variety of techniques used to enhance the written word, including figures of speech, rhetorical devices, and imagery.

Contrasts

\________ can also be the direct result of juxtapositions and shifts.

Tone

\________ can be either positive or negative, and conveys the author's feelings and opinions about the work, thereby creating an emotional response from the reader.

dramatic situation

is a literary device used to create tension and conflict within the poem.

Imagery

refers to the use of language that appeals to the senses, such as sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.

Figures of speech

are more complex forms of language that create meaning beyond literal interpretation.

Structure

The composition of a poem is deliberately contrived by authors and commonly utilized to assist readers in interpreting the urgency.

Themes

Many poems are crafted to convey specific themes, which can be explicitly pronounced or intricately woven (oftentimes left for readers to decipher or infer).

Conflict

\________ is a crucial element of literature that drives the plot forward and creates tension in the story.

Plot development

\________ is a crucial aspect of storytelling that involves the progression and unfolding of events in a narrative.

Person vs self

\________ is a type of conflict where the main character struggles with their own thoughts, beliefs, or emotions.

Symbolism

\________ in literature is the use of symbols to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

Commentary

\________ helps readers understand not only what the evidence means but also why it's important in supporting your thesis statement.

character description

A(n) \________ is a written or spoken representation of a fictional or non- fictional character's physical appearance, personality traits, motivations, and other defining characteristics.

External conflict

\________ occurs outside of the character and can take many forms such as person vs person (interpersonal), person vs society (societal), person vs nature /environmental issues (natural), person vs supernatural /fate etc.

Character Perspective

is shaped by their personality traits, beliefs, values, experiences and biases.

dynamic character

is a type of character in fiction who undergoes significant internal change throughout the course of a story.

Static characters

are fictional characters who remain the same throughout a story or novel.

Setting the scene

refers to the process of creating a detailed and immersive environment in which a story or event takes place.

Internal conflict

occurs within a character's mind and emotions, such as their fears, doubts, or desires.

person vs person

is often used in literature and storytelling to describe a conflict or struggle between two individuals.

Person Vs Society

refers to a type of external conflict where the main character struggles against the norms, rules and expectations of their culture or group.

Person Vs Nature

is a common theme in literature, film, and other forms of art.

thesis statement

is a concise declaration of the main point, argument or focus of an essay, research paper or other academic work.

Evidence

refers to the information or data that supports a claim or argument.

Line reasoning

in literature refers to the process of analyzing a text on a line-by-line basis, paying close attention to each individual sentence and how it contributes to the overall meaning of the work.

Archetypes

\________ are universal patterns of behavior, personality traits, and symbols that are found across different cultures, time periods, and religions.

Physical distance

\________ is a common theme in literature, often used to explore the complex emotions that arise when characters are separated from one another.

Atmosphere

\________ plays an important role in creating tension, suspense, mystery and other emotions that engage readers with the story.

Contrasts

\________ help to add depth and complexity to a story by highlighting the different aspects of its elements.

Trickster

The \________: This archetype is typically a clever and cunning character who uses wit and deception to achieve their goals.

Antagonists

\________ are often portrayed as villains or enemies of the protagonist, but they can also be forces of nature or circumstances beyond human control.

Chronological distance

\________ in literature refers to the time difference between when a literary work was written and the time period being described or depicted in the work.

Contrasts

\________ are a literary device used to highlight the differences between two or more things in literature.

Tone

\________ also affects how we feel while reading.

The Hero

This archetype is typically a protagonist who overcomes obstacles and adversity to achieve a goal or accomplish something great

The Mentor

This archetype is typically an older, wiser character who guides and advises the hero

The Villain

This archetype is typically an antagonist who opposes the hero and cause conflict

The Mother

This archetype is typically a nurturing, supportive character who cares for the hero

The Outcast

This archetype is typically a character who is marginalized or rejected by society

protagonist

is the main character of a story or narrative, who typically drives the plot forward and undergoes some sort of change or transformation throughout the course of the story.

Character relationships

refer to the connections and interactions between different characters in a story or work of fiction.

Mood

in literature refers to the emotional atmosphere or feeling that a work of literature conveys to its readers.

First-person narration

Narration where the story is told from the perspective of the protagonist. The reader sees events through their eyes and experiences their thoughts and feelings.

Third-person limited narration

A story told from the perspective of an omniscient narrator, but only focusing on the thoughts and feelings of one character.

Third-person omniscient narration

A story told from the perspective of an all-knowing narrator, who has access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters.

Stream-of-consciousness narration

A story told through the inner thoughts and feelings of a character, often in a disjointed or non-linear way.

Objective narration

A story told from a neutral or detached perspective, without revealing the thoughts or feelings of any characters.

Narrative distance

refers to the physical and emotional proximity between the reader or audience and the characters in a literary work.

Perspective

can also refer to the way in which an author presents the characters, events, and themes of the story.

Free verse

\________ is a type of poetry that doesn't follow any specific rhyme or meter scheme.

Understatement

\________ is the act of describing something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, or extreme than it really is.

haiku

A(n) \________ is a form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines.

Personification

\________ is a literary device or figure of speech in which human qualities and characteristics are attributed to non- human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract concepts.