Glossary
Action Sequences
A series of decisions and physical movements made by a character that define their identity, motivations, and impact on the plot.
Example:
Katniss Everdeen's volunteering as tribute and her subsequent survival strategies in the arena are crucial Action Sequences that define her as a protector and survivor.
Character Analysis
The process of examining how authors create and reveal characters to explore complex ideas, values, and beliefs within a text.
Example:
When analyzing Hamlet, students often delve into his internal conflicts and indecisiveness to understand the play's themes of revenge and morality, which is a core part of Character Analysis.
Character Development
The techniques an author uses to build and evolve a character's personality, motivations, and perspectives throughout a narrative.
Example:
Scout Finch's journey from naive child to empathetic young woman in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a prime example of profound Character Development.
Details
Specific elaborations or pieces of information intentionally included by an author to provide crucial insights into a character, setting, or theme.
Example:
The recurring Details of Gatsby's meticulously tailored suits and extravagant parties subtly reveal his desperate attempt to impress Daisy.
Diction
An author's specific word choice, which reveals a character's personality, social status, education, and emotional state.
Example:
The poet's use of archaic words like 'thee' and 'thou' in a modern poem immediately establishes a formal and perhaps distant tone, showcasing deliberate Diction.
Dramatic Situation
The context and circumstances surrounding a character or poem, encompassing the 'who, what, when, where, and why' that communicate the underlying message.
Example:
In Robert Browning's 'My Last Duchess,' the Dramatic Situation of the Duke speaking to an envoy about his late wife immediately establishes a chilling power dynamic.
Figurative Language
Language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation, often to create a more impactful or imaginative effect.
Example:
Describing a broken heart as 'shattered glass' is an example of Figurative Language, conveying emotional pain through a non-literal image.
Figures of Speech
Words or phrases used in a non-literal way for rhetorical effect, often to create vivid comparisons, emphasize ideas, or evoke emotions.
Example:
When a poet describes love as 'a burning fire,' they are employing Figures of Speech to convey intensity and passion beyond a literal flame.
Free Response Questions (FRQs)
Essay questions on the AP English Literature exam that require students to write analytical essays exploring literary works and techniques.
Example:
Students often find Free Response Questions challenging because they demand not just understanding, but also the ability to construct a well-supported argument about a text.
Imagery
Language that appeals to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch), creating vivid mental pictures and sensory experiences for the reader.
Example:
The description of 'the scent of pine needles and damp earth' in a forest scene uses powerful Imagery to transport the reader directly into the setting.
Literal Language
Language used in its ordinary, straightforward sense, meaning exactly what it says without any hidden or symbolic interpretation.
Example:
When a character says, 'I am going to the store,' they are using Literal Language to state a simple fact.
Metaphor
A figure of speech that directly states one thing is another, implying a comparison without using 'like' or 'as'.
Example:
The classroom was a zoo after the bell rang, illustrating a chaotic environment through Metaphor.
Multiple Choice
A type of question on the AP English Literature exam that assesses understanding of literary devices, character motivations, and passage interpretation through a selection of options.
Example:
Before tackling the essays, students typically warm up with Multiple Choice questions that test their knowledge of poetic devices or prose passages.
Simile
A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as' to highlight a shared quality.
Example:
Her smile was like sunshine after a storm, instantly brightening the room; this is a classic Simile.
Sophistication
In AP essay scoring, this refers to demonstrating a nuanced understanding of a text's complexities, literary techniques, and thematic intricacies beyond a surface-level analysis.
Example:
An essay that explores the subtle ambiguities of a character's motivations, rather than just stating them, often earns a point for Sophistication.
Syntax
The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences, which can reflect a character's thought process, emotional state, or narrative pace.
Example:
A character's long, rambling sentences filled with subordinate clauses might suggest a thoughtful or hesitant personality, demonstrating the impact of Syntax.
Thesis
A clear, defensible argument or main idea presented in an essay, which the writer then supports with evidence and analysis.
Example:
In an essay analyzing 'The Great Gatsby,' a strong Thesis might argue that Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream ultimately leads to his disillusionment and demise.