AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION

STUDY GUIDE
QUIZLET SETS
Literary terms: https://quizlet.com/81412183/ap-lit-key-terms-flash-cards/
Difficult vocab: https://quizlet.com/81419666/ap-lit-difficult-vocab-flash-cards/
ELEMENTS OF STYLE
Diction: authors choice of words
Connotation: emotional or cultural meaning associated with a
word
Denotation: precise (dictionary) meaning of a word
Style: the writers voice (can be authoritative, emotive, didactic,
objective, ornate, plain, scholarly, scientific, etc.)
Imagery: language that engages the senses and evokes emotion
Visual imagery: what we can see
Auditory imagery: what we can hear
Tactile imagery: what we can touch
Olfactory imagery: what we can smell
Gustatory imagery: what we can taste
Kinesthetic imagery: sense of movement
Organic imagery: internal state of being (well or ill)
Effects of imagery: establish tone; create realistic settings; create
empathy for characters; help readers imagine themselves as part of a narrative
Tone: attitude of the speaker toward another character, a place, an idea or a
thing; an emotional quality that comes from diction and at times syntax
Mood: the emotional quality (tone) of the setting
Syntax: the order of the words in a sentence
Sentence types
Periodic sentence: the most important idea comes
at the end of the sentence In spite of heavy snow and cold temperatures,
the game continued
Loose sentence: the most important idea is revealed
early and the sentence unfolds loosely after that the game continued in
spite of heavy snow and cold temperature
Parallel sentence: contains parts of equal
grammatical structure or rhetorical value in a variety of combinations joe
likes to eat, sleep, and walk
Repetition
Anaphora: repetition of the same word or words at
the beginning of a series of phrases, clauses, or sentences It was the best
of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age
of foolishness
Epistrophe: repetition of the same word or words at
the end of successive phrases or clauses Where now? Who now? When
now?

Asyndeton: conjunctions are omitted between

words, phrases, or clauses Consciousness of place came ebbing back to
him slowly over a vast tract of time unlit, unfelt, unlived...
Chiasmus: two corresponding pairs ordered this
way a/b/b/a Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.
Polysyndeton: the use of conjunctions between each
word, phrase, or clause And Joshua, and all of Israel with him, took
Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of
gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen
Grammatical sentence types
Simple: 1 subject, 1 verb, modifiers, complements.
short and direct
Compound: 2 independent clauses joined by a
coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
Complex: contains an independent clause and a
subordinate (dependent) clause
Compound-complex: contains 2 independent
clauses and a dependent clause
Grammatical sentence purposes
Declarative: makes a statement
Imperative: makes a command
Interrogative: asks a question
Exclamatory: makes an emphatic or emotion-filled
statement
Climax: the main idea or most important point in a sentence.
position may be varied for effect
Cadence: the rhythm or music of a sentence that comes through
parallel elements and repetition
Narrative pace: the pace or speed of a passage that comes through
length of words, omission of words, punctuation, length of sentences, number of
dependent clauses, repetition of sounds.
Effects of syntax: prominence (importance given to an idea in a
sentence or passage); position(where the key idea is located); pace(speed of the
text, complements the authors purpose)
Point of View
First person: narrator tells his/her own story using first person
pronouns. limited by what that person can know, see or understand
Second person: narrator uses second person pronouns (you) to
make immediate connections with readers
Third person-limited: third person narrator tells the story from
one characters point of view using third person pronouns
Third person-omniscient: third person narrator is all knowing,
unconstrained, often digressing into contemplative or philosophical forays
Objective: an objective narrator tells a story like a camcorder
would, lack of emotion or personal interest in the subject
Figurative Language
Allegory: a description or a narrative with a secondary or
underlying meaning. (think animal farm-russian revolution allegory)

 Character allegory: an allegory specific to one or more characters,

where a character represents a virtue/vice/concept/etc
Apostrophe: addressing something (or someone) non-living or
incapable of response as if it could hear and respond oh howling wind"
Irony: a discrepancy between what is perceived and what is real
Verbal irony: what what is said is different from
what is meant
Dramatic irony: when the reader knows something
a character does not know
Situational irony: when some aspect of the situation
seems incongruous to either what seems appropriate or to what is
expected
Metaphor: a comparison of two dissimilar things in order to see
one in a new way
Metonymy: the use of a closely related detail for the thing actually
meant the white house (used for president)
Hyperbole: saying more than the situation warrants. the contrast
illuminates the truth
Paradox: a statement that consists of two contradictory or
incompatible elements. I can resist anything but temptation.
Personification: attributing human qualities or characteristics to
non-living or non-human things in order to create empathy
Simile: essentially a metaphor that uses like or as
Epic or Homeric simile: an extended simile used in
epic poems and Greek dramas. just as or so then signal the
comparison
Synecdoche: the use of a part for the whole all hands on deck
kenning: a device in which the name of a thing is replaced by one
of its functions or qualities whale road for ocean
Symbol: a thing, person, or idea that stands for something else
Common symbols used in western literature:
http://mrquale.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/traditionalsymbols.pdf
Understatement: saying less than the situation warrants
STYLE DESCRIPTORS
Descriptors used in questions about tone, style, attitude and mood from past AP exams (also
handy for essay thesis):
Accusatory
Acerbic
Ambivalent
Anxious
Apathetic
Apprehensive
Arrogant
Bitter
Callous: showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
Candid

 Caustic: sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way

Choleric: bad-tempered or irritable.
Churlish: rude in a mean-spirited and surly way.
Colloquial
Conciliatory
Condescending
Contemplative
Contemptuous
Critical
Cynical
Derisive
Despairing
Detached
Didactic
Disdainful
Earnest
Effusive: expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an
unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
Elegiac
Eloquent
Erudite: having or showing great knowledge or learning.
Fanciful: designed to be exotically ornamental rather than practical;
overimaginative and unrealistic.
Flippant: not showing a serious or respectful attitude.
Formal
Forthright
Gloomy
Haughty
Indifferent
Indignant: feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair
treatment.
Informal
Intimate
Jovial: cheerful and friendly
Judgemental
Laconic: (of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words.
Lyrical: Expressing deep personal emotion or observations
Malicious
Matter-of-fact
Melancholy
Mocking
Morose: sullen and ill-tempered.
Nostalgic
Objective
Obsequious: obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.
Optimistic
Patronizing
Pedantic: Being showy of ones knowledge, often in a boring manner
Pessimistic
Petulant: childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
Poignant: evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.

 Pretentious
Quizzical: (of a person's expression or behavior) indicating mild or amused
puzzlement.
Rapturous: characterized by, feeling, or expressing great pleasure or enthusiasm.
Reflective
Remorseful
Reproachful: expressing disapproval or disappointment.
Reverent
Ribald: referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way.
Ridiculing
Sanctimonious: making a show of being morally superior to other people.
Sarcastic
Sardonic
Satirical
Scholarly
Scornful
Self-deprecating
Sincere
Sinister
Smug
Solemn: formal and dignified; serious.
Speculative
Suspenseful
Terse: sparing in the use of words; abrupt.
Trite: overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness.
Vindictive
Whimsical: playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing
way.

ELEMENTS OF FICTION AND DRAMA

Key terms
Allusion: a reference to something in previous literature, history,
or culture that adds to or emphasizes a theme of the work
Allegory: a narrative or description with a secondary or symbolic
meaning underlying the literal meaning
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.
Anecdote: a clever little story; a short account of an interesting
situation
Anti hero: a protagonist whose attributes are opposite of what is
expected of heroes (confused, powerless, victimized, pathetic)
Archetype: a symbol that recurs often enough in literature over
time to be easily recognizable
Common literary archetypes:
http://www.mychandlerschools.org/cms/lib6/AZ01001175/Centricity/Do
main/6369/ArchetypesandSymbols.pdf
Atmosphere: the emotional quality of the setting

Epiphany: a moment of insight, spiritual or personal; a characters

sudden revelation about life or his or her own circumstances
Eulogy: a speech given at the memorial or funeral service in
remembrance of one who has died
Epithet: an adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of
a person or thing "sun-lit lake", "untimely frost"
Extended metaphor: a detailed or complex metaphor that is
evident throughout a work
Foil: a character who possesses traits that emphasize the
characteristics and qualities of another character, either by being similar to or
opposite from that character
Farce: a comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical
disregard of seriousness, although it may have a serious, scornful purpose
Harangue: a forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade
Imagery: language that appeals to the senses
Invocation: a prayer or statement that calls for help from a god or
goddess
Irony: a discrepancy between appearance and reality
Metaphor: comparison of two generally dissimilar things in order
to show something new or help readers see it in a new way
Mood: the dominant tone in a piece of literature; the emotional
quality of the scene or setting
Motif: a recurring element, an image or idea, in a work of
literature, whose repetition emphasizes some aspect of the work
Parable: a short tale that teaches a moral or even religious lesson
through example
Paradox: a situation or statement containing contradictory
elements which nonetheless seem plausible or true
Parody: a work of satire where the author imitates the language
and form of another work to ridicule it
Soliloquy: a monologue, of one character on stage, who relates
his/her plight to be or not to be
Symbol: a person, place, or thing that represents something else
Syntax: the order of words in a sentence
Tone: the speakers attitude towards something or the emotional
quality of a passage
Verisimilitude: the quality in literature of being true to life; details
seem realistic and believable, even if the setting is supernatural
Vernacular: the ordinary, everyday speech of a region
Elements of classical tragedy
Catharsis: a purging of emotion, experienced by audiences
especially through the pity they feel when witnessing the tragic heros fall from
grace
Chorus: a group of characters in a play who comment on, but do
not participate in, the action
Hamartia: a tragic flaw; an unwitting error in judgment
Hubris: excessive pride

Tragedy: typically a drama in which a tragic hero experiences a fall

from a noble stature
Tragic hero: a person of greater than normal stature who falls
from grace due to a tragic flaw (hamartia) or, more typically, pride (hubris)
Common novel types
Bildungsroman: coming-of-age novel, the protagonist is a child
whose experiences teach him or her about the realities of the adult world
Dystopian novel: apparent perfect (utopian) society where human
life is somehow diminished. dark, prophetic themes
Epistolary novel: consists of letters written by one or more
characters
Gothic novel: characterized by dark, mysterious setting;
supernatural elements and melodrama
Historical novel: story is immersed in historical events; characters
interact with history
Novella: prose fiction longer than a short story, shorter than a
novel
Novel of Manners: author details the social customs of an era
and/or the social behaviors of a particular social group
Picaresque novel: an episodic novel (string of episodes or
adventures) starring a picaro or rogue (a person of low social status) who
wanders or has adventures
Social novel: concerned with the effect of societal institutions and
social conditions on humanity
Utopian novel: presents an ideal (perfect) society free from typical
social problems
Romance: an extended narrative about improbable events and
extraordinary people in exotic places

ELEMENTS OF POETRY
Verse: a synonym for poetry, or a (group of) line(s) in a poem.
Sound elements
Rhyme: words that either sound exactly alike or merely similar
Exact rhyme:
masculine rhyme (one syllable); cat,
hat, flat, mat
feminine rhyme (two or more
syllables); falling, calling, stalling
Slant rhyme: approximate rhyme; mirror, steer,
dear
Internal rhyme vs. end rhyme: end rhyme occurs
only at the end of the line whereas internal rhyme happens within the
lines
Alliteration: repetition of beginning sounds in close proximity. Ali
allotted a lot of alternative alligators
Assonance: repetition of vowel sounds. cake, stake, fate
Cacophony: harsh, discordant, or unpleasing sounds

Consonance: repetition of consonant sounds. through rhyme or

just a letter sound. river, waver, rave, cadaver
Euphony: pleasing, melodious, pleasant sounds Season of mists
and mellow fruitfulness,
Meter: a rhythm accomplished by using a certain number of beats
or syllables per line through accented/unaccented sounds.
Metaphor
Direct metaphor: the comparison is made directly using the word
is. life is a river
Indirect metaphor: comparison without the use of is. the river of
life
Personification: giving something non-human, human
characteristics
Oxymoron: juxtaposing two things apparently contradictory that
still reinforce one idea. jumbo shrimp, only choice, virtual reality
Key terms
Alliteration: repetition, at close intervals, of beginning sounds
Apostrophe: a speaker directly addresses something or someone
not living oh howling wind
Assonance: repetition at close intervals of vowel sounds. At its
most basic, assonance is simple rhyme.
Consonance: repetition at close intervals of consonant sounds.
book, plaque, thicker.
Couplet: two lines that rhyme. Shakespearean sonnets end with a
couplet. Set off, couplets may contain a separate or complete idea.
Caesura: a pause somewhere in the middle of the verse, often
marked by punctuation (even though, grammatically, there shouldnt be) I don't
like work-no man does- but I like what is in the work-the chance to find yourself.
Your own reality- for yourself, not for others- what no other man can ever know.
They can only see the mere show and never can tell what it really means."
Enjambment: the use of successive lines with no punctuation or
pause between them (even though, grammatically, there should be) April is the
cruellest month, breeding / Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing / Memory and
desire stirring / Dull roots with spring rain.
Epigram: a short quotation or verse that precedes a poem (or any
text) that sets a tone, provides a setting, or gives some other context for the poem.
Iambic pentameter: a line of five iambic feet, or ten syllables.
Iamb = metrical foot with an unaccented syllable
followed by an accented syllable. U/
Shakespeare writes in iambic pentameter, or 5
iambs per line. :-) simple
Metaphor: a comparison of two unlike things in order to show
something new.
Litotes: a form of understatement in which the negative of the
contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity. hes not a bad dancer
Imagery: language that appeals to the senses and evokes emotion.
Metaphysical conceit: an elaborate, intellectually ingenious
metaphor that shows the poets realm of knowledge; it may be brief or extended.

Meter: the rhythmic pattern of poetry.

Onomatopoeia: the use of words whose sounds suggest their
meaning. bubbling, murmuring brooks.
Personification: to personify is to attribute human qualities or
characteristics to non-living things.
Anthropomorphism: to attribute human qualities to
animals
Pun: a play on words where juxtaposition of meaning is ironic or
humorous.
Internal rhyme: words that rhyme within a line of poetry
Rhyme scheme: a regular pattern of end rhyme (aabb etc)
Rhythm: The beat or music of a poem. a regular beat indicates a
metrical pattern.
Simile: a metaphor that uses comparison words such as like or
as
Speaker: the narrative voice of a poem
Stanza: the paragraph of a poem
Stanzaic form: a poem that has stanzas
Continuous form: a poem without stanzas
Structure: the way a poem is built
Synecdoche: the use of a part for the whole all hands on deck
Tone: the emotional quality of a poem, such as regretful or
contemplative
Unity: the degree to which elements of a poem work together to
produce a coherent effect
Poem types by fixed form
Haiku: a traditional Japanese fixed form poem; three lines, 5
syllables in the first, 7 in the second, 5 in the last. One intention of a haiku poem
is to capture a moment in time or a perceived aspect of nature.
Sestina: a complicated french form of poetry consisting of six sixline stanzas followed by a trecet, called an envoy. A set of six words is repeated in
varying patterns at the ends of the lines of each of the six line stanzas.
Sonnet: fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. Shakespearean
sonnets have rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG (three quatrains followed by
a rhyming couplet). Petrarchan sonnets ABBAABBA CDECDE; an octave
presenting a problem followed by a sestet giving the solution.
Villanelle: 19 lines composed of 5 trecets and a concluding
quatrain.
Poem types by content
Ballad: a short poem in song format that tells a story
Elegy: a poem, the subject of which is the death of a person or, in
some cases, an idea
Epic: long, adventurous tale with a hero, generally on a quest
Lyric: expresses love, inner emotions, tends to be personal; usually
written in first person
Idyll: a lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or
place
Narrative: the poet tells a story with characters and a plot
Ode: originally a greek form, odes are serious lyric poems.

 Prose poem: looks like a paragraph, may even read like a

paragraph, but is a poem.

ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE
Key terms
Abstraction: a concept or idea without a specific example;
idealized generalities
Abstract noun: ideas or things that can mean many things to many
people, peace, honor, etc.
Analogy: compares two things that are similar in several respects
in order to prove a point or clarify an idea
Antithesis: the opposite of an idea used to emphasize a point; the
juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to err is human; to forgive, divine
Bathos: the use of insincere or overdone sentimentality
Catalog (list): lists of details can reinforce a concept
Conceit: a witty thought, a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often
stated in figurative language
Circumlocution: to write around a subject; to write evasively; to
say nothing
Double entendre: a phrase or saying that has two meanings, one
being sexual or provocative in nature children make nutritious snacks
Apollonian: refers to the most noble, godlike qualities in human
nature
Dionysian: opposite of Apollonian; hedonist
Euphemism: a kinder, gentler, less crude or harsh word or phrase
to replace one that seems imprudent to use in a particular situation
Ethos: a speakers credibility; his or her character, honesty,
commitment to the writing
Parody: a humorous imitation of an original text meant to ridicule,
used as a technique in satire
Pathos: the quality in literature that appeals to the audiences
emotions
Rhetoric: the use of language for persuasion
Verb phrase: the verb and its object and modifiers
Vernacular: the ordinary, everyday speech of a region
Voice: the real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker. In grammar,
active voice and passive voice refer to the use of verbs. Stylistically, active voice produces
more economical and vigorous writing
Active voice: the crew raked the leaves
Passive voice: the leaves were raked by the crew
Rhetorical strategies
A writer can appeal to readers...
needs
sense of tradition
ethics
emotion
logic/reason
sense of authority

accepted values
Stylistic devices used for rhetoric
Evocative or emotive language
List of relevant details
Figurative language - gets readers to see things in a
fresh way
Imagery - appeals to senses and draws readers into
the text
Repetition - used for emphasis
Parallel structure - used for emphasis
Irony - contrast illuminates the truth
Analogy - shows logical relationship
Modes/forms of rhetoric
Cause and effect
Problem and solution
Narrative
Description
Definition
Humor
Satire
Verbs of rhetoric
Allege
Analyze
Argue
Assert
Broach: to bring up a topic for discussion
Characterize
Claim
Clarify
Discuss
Dramatize
Emphasize
Establish
Imply
Indicate
Observe
Paraphrase
Propose
Rebuff: to reject
Suggest
Grammar
Phrase: a phrase is a group of related words that does not contain
a subject and verb.
Clause: an independent clause (or main clause) is a sentence with
a subject and a verb.
Modifiers: add information to the clause adjectives modifying
nouns (blue dress) or adverbs modifying verbs (walked slowly)
Antecedent: that which comes before; pronouns have antecedents.
Laura found her hat on the top shelf.

DIFFICULT AP VOCABULARY
Difficult/archaic words that most often show up on the AP:
Adamantine (adj.): firm in attitude or opinion, unyielding
Admonish (verb): to scold, censor
Amorphous (adj.): without shape or form
Animal husbandry (noun): the practice of breeding and raising livestock
Bade (verb): to order, to instruct
Bard (noun): a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a
particular oral tradition.
Belies (verb): contradicts
Bellicose (adj): loud, argumentative, prone to fighting
Chaste (adj): pure, virginal
Chasten (verb): to chastise, castigate, correct
Couch, couched (verb): to word in a certain manner
Curate: (noun) a clergyman; (verb) to direct a museum or an exhibit
Din (noun): loud, raucous noise
Entreat (verb): to beg
Faculty (noun): ability, power
Hutch (noun): a cupboard for dishes or rabbits
Impervious (adj): not able to be penetrated
Indefatigable (adj): inability to retire
Jocund (adj): merry, mirthful, gay
Lore (noun): traditional knowledge
Mien (noun): bearing, presence, manner
Naivete (noun): innocence, inexperience
Nascent (adj): emerging, newly born or created
Pretense (noun): deception, deceit
Prodigy (noun): genius, especially a gifted child
Proffer (verb): to suggest, to propose
Profligate: (adj) recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources; (noun)
a licentious, dissolute person.
Profundity (noun): intellectual depth; penetrating knowledge; keen insight; etc
Promulgate (verb): to proclaim or exclaim
Quarry (noun): prey, victim
Raiment (noun): especially fine or decorative clothing
Reap (verb): to gather, glean, harvest
Reticent (adj): shy, unwilling
Sable (noun): as a color, dark, black brown, fur from the animal sable
Scourge (noun): bane, curse, affliction or a whip, lash, punishment
Sepulcher (noun): burial chamber, tomb
Sire (noun & verb): a father, to father, beget
Supine (adj): lying prone, flat, especially in humility
Suppliant (noun & verb): to petition or beseech, one who begs for intercession
Surplice (noun): a loose fitting white ecclesiastical vestment with wide sleeves
Timorous (adj): timid, fearful, apprehensive
Tinged (adj): slightly touched with
Tumult (noun): uproar, disturbance
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES

Multiple Choice section

Skim (quickly!) through the questions first to get an idea of the
purpose as you read
If two answers are correct and similar, choose the more
detailed/specific one
ALWAYS GUESS if you dont know the answer - wrong answers
dont get penalized!
Double answers are common. Answer choices are given in pairs
reverent and aware, morbid and fascinating. often the pairs contain one
correct and one false element (except for the 1 correct answer ofc)
How to read a poem
Read
Read slowly
Read in meaningful chunks rather than in lines. Pay
attention to punctuation.
While reading rhythmic poems, dont get caught up
in the beat - look for the meaning first.
Annotate for STIFS
Speaker
Identify speaker and his/her
character traits
Who is the speaker addressing
What is the speakers topic,
argument, etc.
Tone
What is the dominant tone in the
poem?
If so, where is it and why do you
think the shift occurs?
Imagery
Isolate the major images: what do
you see, smell, hear, taste, feel?
What is suggested by the imagery?
Emotion? Idea?
Figurative language
Find and understand the figurative
language evident in the poem: metaphor, simile, apostrophe,
personification, hyperbole, etc.
Determine whats really being said in
each example and how that relates to other elements in the poem
Sound
what sound elements are most
striking and why? Look for sound repetition, cacophony/euphony,
any elements of sound that reinforce meaning
Read the poem once more
When stuck on difficult phrases, simplify the language of the
clauses and phrases around it to extract the context
Ask yourself: what is this poem about and how do I know this?
Now use annotations as evidence

Interpreting reading passages

Generating analysis
Read the prompt carefully
Read the poem or prose carefully
Create a mini outline
Write essay
Remember CSE: Claim, Support, Explain
Free response
Essay tips

NOVELS AND PLAYS

NOVEL TITLE
Title:
Author:
Genre:
Literary period, if significant:
Historical significance:
Setting (time, place, and atmosphere):
Protagonist (name, personality, appearance, etc):
Antagonist(s):
Main conflict (in terms of what the protagonist wants/desires and what is
keeping him/her from getting it):
Brief plot summary:
Resolution (of main conflict):
Major themes (universal truths):
Symbols:
Remarkable events/images/other elements:

:-)