Barron's AP Literature Vocabulary

abstract

An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research.

adage

A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language.

allegory

A story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical, or possibly an ethical meaning. The story and characters represent values beyond themselves.

alliteration

The repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose. Used for ornament or for emphasis. Also used in epithets, phrases, and slogans. Enhances the aesthetic quality of a prose passage or poem.

allusion

A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.

ambiguity

A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings and interpretation.

anachronism

A person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set.

analogy

A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things.

annotation

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

antagonist

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

antithesis

A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences.

aphorism

A short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment.

Apollonian

In contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior.

apostrophe

A rhetorical device in which a speaker addresses a person or personified thing not present.

archetype

An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example; an original model or form.

assonance

The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose.

ballad

A simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited.

bard

A poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to a musical accompaniment.

bathos

The use of insincere or overdone sentimentality.

belle-lettres

French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general.

bibliography

A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a subject or other work.

Bildungsroman

A German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal.

blank verse

Poetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the words of Shakespeare and Milton. The lines generally do not rhyme.

bombast

Inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects.

burlesque

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

cacophony

Grating, inharmonious sounds.

caesura

A pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always) marked by punctuation.

canon

The works considered most important in a national literature or period; works widely read and studied.

caricature

A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things.

carpe diem

Literally, "seize the day"; enjoy life while you can, a common theme in literature.

catharsis

A cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror or a dramatic tragedy.

classic

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

classical, classicism

Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture; implies formality, objectivity, simplicity, and restraint.

climax

The high point, or turning point, or a story or play.

coming-of-age-story/novel

A tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood. The character may develop understanding via disillusionment, education, doses of reality, or any other experiences that alter his or her emotional or intellectual maturity.

conceit

A witty or ingenious thought a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language.

connotation

The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase. Contrast with denotation.

consonance

The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry.

couplet

A pair of rhyming lines in a poem. Two rhyming lines in iambic pentameter is sometimes called a heroic ________.

denotation

The dictionary definition of a word. Contrast with connotation.

dénouement

The resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction.

deus ex machina

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

diction

The choice of words in oral and written discourse.

Dionysian

As distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses.

dramatic irony

A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character.

elegy

A poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value.

ellipsis

Three periods (...) indicating 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.

end-stopped

A term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation.

enjambment

In poetry, the use of the successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them.

epic

An extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that in generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure.

epigram

A concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement.

euphony

Pleasing, harmonious sounds.

epithet

An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking 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 literature.

exposé

A piece or writing that reveals weakness, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings.

exposition

The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature.

explication

The interpretation or analysis of a text.

extended metaphor

A series of comparisons between two unlike objects.

fable

A short tale often featuring nonhuman characters that act as people whose actions enable the author to make observations or draw useful lessons about human behavior.

falling action

The action in a play or story that occurs after the climax and that leads to the conclusion and often to the resolution of the conflict.

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

In contrast to literal language, _____________ implies meanings. It includes metaphors, similes, and personification, among many others.

first-person narrative

A narrative told by a character involved in the story, using pronouns such as I and we.

flashback

A return to an earlier time in a story or play in order to clarify present action or circumstances. It might also be a character's account of the past, a dream, or a sudden association with past events.

foil

A minor character whose personality or attitude contrasts with that of the main character. Juxtaposing one character against another intensifies the qualities of both, to advantage or sometimes to disadvantage.

foot

A unit of stressed and unstressed syllables used to determine the meter of a poetic line.

foreshadowing

Providing hints of things to come in a story or play.

frame

A structure that provides premise or setting for a narrative.

free verse

A kind of poetry without rhymed lines, rhythm, or fixed metrical feet.

genre

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

Gothic novel

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

harangue

A forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade.

hegemony

a dominant cultural trend

heroic couplet

Two rhymed lines written in iambic pentameter and used widely in eighteenth-century verse.

hubris

The excessive pride that often leads tragic heroes to their death.

humanism

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

hyperbole

Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect.

idyll

A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place.

image

A word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or felt.

in medias res

A narrative that starts not at the beginning of events but at some other critical point.

indirect quotation

Actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased.

invective

A direct verbal assault; a denunciation.

irony

A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated, often implying ridicule or light sarcasm; a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what might have been expected.

kenning

A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities, as in "ring giver" for a king and "whale-road" for ocean.

lampoon

A mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation.

light verse

A variety of poetry meant to entertain or amuse, but sometimes with a satirical thrust.

litotes

A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.

loose sentence

A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences, i.e., subject-verb-object. The main idea of the sentence is presented first and is then followed by one or more subordinate clauses.

lyric poetry

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

maxim

A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth.

melodrama

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

metaphor

A figure of speech that compares unlike objects.

metaphysical poetry

The work of poets, particularly those of the seventeenth century, that uses elaborate conceits, is highly intellectual, and expresses the complexities of love and life.

meter

The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables found in poetry.

metonymy

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