Ap Literature And Composition Vocabulary

Front 1

Antecedent Action

Back 1

Events that preceded the starting point of a piece of literature, events that are referred to. Ex: Mission Impossible / where prior events are mentioned but the reader doesn’t see or experience them.

Front 2

Climax

Back 2

The point of highest interest/action in a story, which elicits the greatest emotional response from the reader. It is after the climax that we see a reversal of action from rising to falling. Ex: Invisible man / riots and falling in hole

Front 3

Conflict

Back 3

The struggle of two opposing forces providing interest, suspense, and tension in a plot. Conflict may be internal or external. Ex: The Tell-Tale Heart / struggle between main character and his guilt of committing murder

Front 4

Denoument, Falling Action, Resolution

Back 4

The final unraveling of the plot, providing the solution, explanation, or outcome. This occurs after the climax. Ex: Invisible Man / writings in the hole

Front 5

Exposition

Back 5

Material that introduces a story or drama by establishing the mood and setting, the characters and their relationship to each other, and antecedent action. (The term is also used for a type of essay whose purpose is to explain.) Ex: Susan was angry when she left the house and climbed into her car outside

Front 6

Flashback

Back 6

Material presented that occurred prior to the opening scene or chapter. Ex: Lost / the show Lost uses flashbacks where the characters reveal events that happened in their past

Front 7

Foreshadowing

Back 7

Preparation for later events in the plot, achieved by establishing mood or atmosphere or revealing a fundamental and decisive character trait. Physical objects or facts may also suggest later action. Ex: Romeo and Juliet / both characters state that they would rather die than live apart

Front 8

Plot

Back 8

The large, controlling frame of the story or play, including the pattern of events and the relationship among events Ex: Harry Potter / Conflict between Voldemort and Harry

Front 9

Rising Action

Back 9

The complication of the conflict on the way to a plot’s climax. Ex: Animal Farm / Farmer Jones mistreats the animals and they discuss ways to address their abuse

Front 10

Archetype

Back 10

A recurrent pattern in bodies of literature; these patterns can be found in themes, character types, symbols, or settings. Ex: Comic Book Characters / a bright bold hero that saves the day

Front 11

Epiphany

Back 11

A realization by fictional character about the essential nature of being or an event; a sudden perception, an intuitive flash of recognition. Ex:

Front 12

Motif

Back 12

A dominant idea in a work of literature, which may be expressed through characterization, verbal patterns, or imagery. Such recurrent images, words, objects, or actions help to unify the work. Ex: Invisible Man / Blindness

Front 13

Poetic Justice

Back 13

Classically, this is an ideal judgment that rewards virtue and punishes vice. Ex: Stephen King’s Survivor Type / a doctor with no morals or conscience is shipwrecked on a deserted island the means and skills he used in a lifetime of harming others become the instrument of such horrendous suffering inflicted upon himself.

Front 14

Theme

Back 14

A focal idea that provides the central insight of a piece of writing. This abstract concept is made concrete in imaginative literature through representation in person, action, and image. Secondary themes are common in longer works. Ex: Invisible Man / Racism is an obstacle to identity.

Front 15

Title

Back 15

In a work of literature, a title may function to set expectations, suggest interpretations, name the occasion of the literary type, or address someone directly. The title often helps to illuminate the theme of a work. Ex: Invisible Man