AP Lit vocab 2

Abstract

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence

anticlimax

a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events

ballad

a slow sentimental or romantic song/ a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas.

denotation

he literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests

epic

a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation

foot (poetry)

 a group of syllables constituting a metrical unit. In English poetry it consists of stressed and unstressed syllables, while in ancient classical poetry it consists of long and short syllables.

hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

irony

the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect

nemesis

a long-standing rival

paradox

a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true

personification

the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form

pun

a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings

simile

a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid

symbolism

the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities

travesty

a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something