AP Lit Terms

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about literary terms, covering figurative language, contrast, repetition, diction, syntax, character, narration, structure, and miscellaneous devices.

Allusion

A brief reference to a person, event, place, or work of art/literature, often historical or biblical.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech where a speaker addresses an absent person, object, or abstract idea.

Conceit

An extended, often elaborate metaphor that compares two very unlike things.

Extended Metaphor

A metaphor that continues throughout a series of sentences or even an entire work.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste).

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”

Personification

Giving human qualities to nonhuman things.

Simile

A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”

Symbol

An object, character, or event that represents a larger idea or theme.

Analogy

A comparison showing similarities between two different things to explain or clarify.

Antithesis

Two opposite ideas placed in parallel structure for contrast.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements for emphasis or effect.

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements side by side to highlight contrast.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech combining contradictory terms (e.g., “deafening silence”).

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals a deeper truth.

Parallelism

Repetition of grammatical structures to show equal importance or rhythm.

Situational Irony

When the actual outcome is the opposite of what’s expected.

Understatement

Minimizing the significance of something, often for ironic or humorous effect.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds (can be at the end or middle of words).

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses.

Refrain

A repeated line or group of lines, typically in poetry or song.

Rhyme

Repetition of similar sounding endings in words, often at the end of lines.

Sibilance

Repetition of “s” or soft consonant sounds for a hissing effect.

Ambiguity

Language that has multiple interpretations or meanings.

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence.

Connotation

The implied or emotional meaning of a word beyond its dictionary definition.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Diction

The author’s word choice, typically described with an adjective (e.g., formal diction, poetic diction).

Syntax

Sentence structure; how words and phrases are arranged (e.g., short/telegraphic sentences, inverted syntax).

Tone

The writer’s attitude toward the subject or audience (e.g., sarcastic, melancholic, reverent).

Antagonist

The character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Antihero

A central character who lacks traditional heroic traits.

Archetype

A typical or recurring symbol, character, or motif in literature.

Colloquial

Informal, conversational language specific to a region or group.

Dialect

A specific form of language particular to a region or social group.

Dynamic Character

A character who changes significantly over the course of a story.

Epiphany

A character’s sudden realization or insight.

Foil

A character who contrasts with another (often the protagonist) to highlight traits.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to a character’s downfall.

Protagonist

The main character in a story.

Static Character

A character who does not change throughout the story.

Unreliable Narrator

A narrator whose credibility is compromised.

1st person POV

The narrator is a character in the story and uses “I.”

2nd person POV

The narrator addresses the reader directly using “you.”

3rd person limited POV

Narrator tells the story from one character’s perspective.

3rd person omniscient POV

The narrator knows all characters’ thoughts and experiences.

Frame Narrative

A story within a story, often with an introductory or main narrative.

Narrator

The voice that tells the story.

Point of View

The position from which the story is told.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.

In media res

Starting a narrative in the middle of the action.

Vignette

A brief, descriptive piece of writing focusing on a moment, character, or setting.

Blank Verse

Unrhymed poetry written in iambic pentameter.

Caesura

A pause or break in a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation.

Closed Form Poetry

Poetry with a fixed structure (e.g., sonnets, haikus).

End-stopped Line

A line of poetry that ends with a punctuation mark.

Enjambment

When a line of poetry continues onto the next without pause.

Free Verse

Poetry with no set rhyme or meter.

Line

A single row of words in a poem.

Meter

The rhythmic structure of lines in poetry, based on syllable patterns.

Open Form Poetry

Poetry without a regular pattern or structure.

Shift / Volta / Turn

A change in tone, perspective, or subject in a poem.

Stanza

A grouped set of lines in a poem, like a paragraph.

Allegory

A story or image with a deeper meaning, often moral, political, or spiritual.

Cacophony

Harsh, jarring sounds used deliberately in writing.

Catharsis

Emotional release experienced by the audience, especially in tragedy.

Dialogue

Conversation between characters.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something the characters don’t.

Euphony

Pleasant, harmonious sounds in writing.

Metonymy

Substituting the name of something with something closely associated (e.g., “the crown” for monarchy).

Satire

A technique using humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or expose.

Setting

The time and place where a story occurs.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole (e.g., “wheels” for a car).