AP Literature

*Remember to have drawings, definitions, and examples for the literary terms vocabulary, as well. You will be turning in 18, total.

Unit 1 Vocabulary

Words Relating to

  1. brevity: (BREV-ih-tee) n. – briefness or conciseness in speech or writing
  2. brusque: (BRUSK) adj. – markedly short and abrupt; blunt in manner of speech often to the point of ungracious harshness
  3. compendious: (com-PEN-di-us) adj. – marked by brief expression of a comprehensive matter; concise and comprehensive
  4. concise: (cun-SISE) adj. – using few words in speaking or writing
  5. curt: (kurt) adj. – sparing of words; marked by rude or peremptory shortness; brusque
  6. laconic: (luh-CAHN-ik) adj. – using few words in speech
  7. pithy: (PIH-thee) adj. – brief and full of meaning and substance; concise
  8. quiescent: (kwy-EH-sunt) adj. – quiet; still; inactive
  9. reticent: (RET-ih-sunt) adj. – not talking much; reserved
  10. succinct: (suk-SINKT) adj. – clearly and briefly stated; concise
  11. taciturn: (TAS-ih-turn) adj. – silent; sparing of words; close-mouthed
  12. terse: (TURS) adj. – using only words needed to make the point; very concise, sometimes to the point of rudeness

LITERARY TERMS VOCABULARY:

For these terms, you will look the terms up on your own. You must know the meaning and provide examples from literature. Be sure to know the meanings AND examples for the test.

*Lit terms need to be included on your Definitions and Drawings assignment, ONLY (not your Real-life Context or Story).

Genres of Poems

  1. epic poetry
  2. dramatic poetry
  3. lyric poetry
  4. ode poetry
  5. elegy poetry
  6. free verse poetry

AP LITERATURE

Cluster Vocabulary: For the most part, our brains work and think by associating things that are alike. Cluster vocabulary is not made of purely synonyms, however. Yes, the words relate to a theme or general idea, but the lists compel you to learn subtle differences in usage and their nuances of meaning.

SEMESTER VOCABULARY REQUIREMENTS

  • Three SEPARATE vocabulary assignments are DUE THE DAY OF THE TEST (see below)
  1. Definitions and Drawings – USE COMPUTER PAPER + COLOR
  2. MnemonicsAND Real Life Context – CREATE/FIND YOUR OWN ON SEPARATE PAPER
  3. Vocabulary Story – HANDWRITTEN OR TYPED
  • Tests are CUMULATIVE (each test includes words from all preceding units)
  • The number of words will vary from unit to unit
  • There is NO WORD BANK

DEFINITIONS AND DRAWINGS – USE COMPUTER PAPER

  • Copy the definition EXACTLY  include the pronunciation AND part of speech
  • Create a DRAWING to represent the definition (NO STICK FIGURES)
  • COLOR your drawings  if the picture is not colored, then the highest grade possible is a “C”

MNEMONICS AND REAL LIFE CONTEXT – USE A COMBINATION OF THE TWO

  • A mnemonic is a memory technique that links something new (the SAT word) to already familiar knowledge (special knowledge unique to you—cultural heritage, travel, a foreign language, a hobby, an instrument, a sport, etc.)
  • Devise a mnemonic for your word(s)
  • Examples can include: letter clusters, word roots, prefixes/suffixes, slant rhymes, chants, etc.
  • AND Clip out vocabulary words you spot in newspapers and magazines and include/paste them on your assignment—be sure to include the entire phrase or headline
  • Use a COMBINATION of mnemonics and real life context examples (don’t use all of one type)

VOCABULARY STORY

  • Write a story that MAKES SENSE using all of the words from the assigned unit
  • Use only ONE WORD PER SENTENCE
  • UNDERLINE OR HIGHLIGHT each vocabulary word
  • Be sure to USE THE CORRECT PART OF SPEECH for each word – you may change the part of speech to fit the story, as long it is changed CORRECTLY (i.e. don’t use a noun as a verb, etc.)
  • Each sentence should have CONTEXT CLUES/SYNONYMS that help EXPLAIN what the word means