AP English Literature and Composition Flashcards: Structural shifts, repetition, and contrast
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the primary function of identifying a structural shift?
Identifying a structural shift helps the reader understand how different parts of a text relate to each other and reveals the development of ideas, arguments, or character perspectives.
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What is the primary function of identifying a structural shift?
Identifying a structural shift helps the reader understand how different parts of a text relate to each other and reveals the development of ideas, arguments, or character perspectives.
Define repetition as a literary device.
Repetition is the intentional reuse of a word, phrase, sentence, or grammatical pattern to create emphasis, rhythm, or a unifying effect in a text.
What is a structural shift in a literary text?
A structural shift is a change in the text's structure, such as a change in tone, point of view, setting, or tense, that often signals a change in the speaker's or narrator's perspective.
What are common 'turn' words or conjunctions that signal a structural shift in a text?
Words like 'but,' 'yet,' 'however,' 'although,' and 'then' often indicate a shift in thought, argument, or tone.
Explain the relationship between a structural shift and contrast.
A structural shift often serves to introduce a contrast, marking the point where the text moves from one idea, tone, or setting to a different, opposing one.
In analyzing a text, you notice the same phrase is repeated, but after a major shift in the narrative, the phrase's meaning seems to change. What does this suggest?
This suggests the author is using repetition in conjunction with a structural shift to show how a character's or narrator's understanding of a key idea has evolved.
How does repetition contribute to the development of a theme or motif?
By repeatedly drawing attention to a specific word, image, or idea, repetition reinforces its importance and helps establish it as a central theme or recurring motif.
How does contrast function to create meaning in a literary work?
Contrast highlights the differences between characters, settings, or ideas, which can clarify their distinct qualities, create conflict, or emphasize a central theme.
A poem's first two stanzas describe a bustling, loud city, while the last two describe a silent, peaceful countryside. What two literary elements are at play?
This demonstrates a structural shift (from city to country) and a use of contrast (between the two settings) to explore a theme.
What is the literary term for the juxtaposition of two opposing or contrasting ideas, often in a parallel structure?
This device is called antithesis, which is used to create a striking contrast and highlight the differences between two concepts.