AP Lit Terms

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Protagonist

The main character in a story, often the hero or central figure

Antagonist

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The character or force in conflict with the protagonist

Bildungsroman

A coming-of-age novel that focuses on the protagonist's growth

Direct Characterization

The author explicitly describes a character's traits and qualities

Indirect Characterization

Character traits are revealed through actions, thoughts, or dialogue

Foil

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A character whose qualities contrast with those of another character, is included to reveal the unique qualities of another (especially the main) character

Round Character

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A character with depth and complexity, with multiple traits. Often act from varied, conflicting motives

Flat Character

A character with limited development and simplistic traits, speaks in predictable ways

Dynamic Character

A character who undergoes significant change throughout the story

Static Character

A character who remains unchanged throughout the story

Archetype

A typical character, symbol, or theme that recurs in literature and myths

Stock Character

A character embodying stereotypes and is often used in a fixed role, seems familiar

Setting

The time and place in which a story takes place

Plot

The sequence of events in a story, including exposition and climax

Exposition

The introduction of background information in a story

Inciting Incident

The event that sets the main plot in motion

Rising Action

Events leading to the story's climax, building tension

Climax

The story's highest point of conflict and emotional intensity

Falling Action

Events that follow the climax, leading towards resolution

Resolution

The final outcome or solution to the story's conflict

Denouement

The tying up of loose ends and the conclusion of the story

In Media Res

Starting a narrative in the middle of action, rather than the beginning

Flashbacks

Scenes or events from the past are inserted into the current narrative

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues that suggest future events in the story

Deus Ex Machina

A person or a thing that appears or is introduced suddenly and unexpectedly and provides a contrived solution to an apparently insoluble difficulty

Epiphany

A sudden realization or profound understanding by a character

Point of View

The narrator's perspective in telling the story

Perspective

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Describes how narrators or characters see and experience their individual circumstances

First-Person

Point of View Narrated by a character within the story using "I" or "we”

Second-Person Point of View

The narrator addresses the reader as "you”

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Third-Person Limited Point of View

An external narrator who knows the thoughts of only one character

Third-Person Omniscient Point of View

An external narrator who knows the thoughts of all characters

Stream of Consciousness

A narrative style representing a character's inner thoughts. Thought process.

Auditor

An imaginary listener or reader in a narrative that is brought in by the narrator

Interior Monologue

A character's extended inner thoughts and reflections, in an arrangement as if the character were speaking out loud to himself, for us to overhear

Theme

The central idea or message conveyed in a story

Diction

The author's choice of words, which can be abstract or concrete

Abstract Diction

Words that describe concepts or ideas rather than physical objects

Concrete Diction

Words that describe tangible objects and qualities

Connotation

The emotional or cultural associations of a word, meaning outside of the dictionary meaning

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Denotation

The literal dictionary definition of a word

Slang

Informal language or words used in specific social groups, mostly verbal

Colloquial

Informal, conversational language used in everyday speech

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence

Cumulative Sentence

A sentence that starts with the main idea and adds details

Periodic Sentence

A sentence with details before the main idea is revealed

Tone

The author's attitude or emotional stance towards the subject

Mood

What the readers feel as they're reading the story as a result of the tone and other details of the text

Symbol

An object or element representing a deeper meaning in a story

Allegory

Series of symbols that encompasses a whole work that represents something else with a deeper meaning

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, event, or work of literature

Metaphor

A comparison between two unrelated things without "like" or "as”

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as" between two unlike things

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human entities or objects

Metonymy

Using one word or concept to represent another related word

Synecdoche

Using a part of something to represent the whole or vice versa

Juxtaposition

Placing two ideas or objects side by side to reveal their similar or contrasting qualities

Trope

Another word for figurative language. A figurative use of a word or expression

Overstatement/Hyperbole

Exaggeration used for emphasis or effect

Oxymoron

A combination of contradictory or opposite words

Paradox

A statement that appears contradictory but may have a deeper truth

Understatement

Deliberately downplaying or minimizing the significance of something

Situation Irony

When there's a contrast between what's expected and what happens

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows something the characters do not

Verbal Irony

When someone says something but means the opposite