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ACT Humanities - Literature and Culture

Here you will learn some English words related to literature and culture, such as "elegy", "satirical", "memoir", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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ACT Vocabulary for Humanities

a type of verse without rhyme that has an irregular rhythm

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stanza
[noun]

a series of lines in a poem, usually with recurring rhyme scheme and meter

Ex: The stanza's rhyme scheme was ABAB , giving the poem a rhythmic flow .
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sonnet
[noun]

a verse of Italian origin that has 14 lines, usually in an iambic pentameter and a prescribed rhyme scheme

Ex: She wrote a sonnet for her literature class , following the traditional 14-line structure .
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prose
[noun]

spoken or written language in its usual form, in contrast to poetry

Ex: The author 's mastery of prose evoked vivid imagery and emotional resonance , immersing readers in the world of her storytelling .
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ballad
[noun]

a tale that is narrated in the form of a song or poem

Ex: The ballad's haunting melody and evocative lyrics made it a favorite among fans of traditional music .
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a literary and rhetorical device that involves repeating words or phrases in successive clauses or sentences, but in reverse order

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a literary device where human qualities or characteristics are attributed to non-human entities, objects, or ideas

Ex: She used personification to depict the flowers as dancing in the breeze .
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allusion
[noun]

a statement that implies or indirectly mentions something or someone else, especially as a literary device

Ex: The poet 's allusion to Icarus served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overambition and hubris .
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allegorical
[Adjective]

(of a story, play, image, etc.) using characters or events in a symbolic sense that represent a concept, quality, etc.

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pun
[noun]

a clever or amusing use of words that takes advantage of the multiple meanings or interpretations that it has

Ex: The pun in the advertisement was so funny that it went viral on social media .
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metaphor
[noun]

a figure of speech that compares two unrelated things to highlight their similarities and convey a deeper meaning

Ex: Her speech was filled with powerful metaphors that moved the audience .
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simile
[noun]

a word or phrase that compares two things or people, highlighting the similarities, often introduced by 'like' or 'as'

Ex: The poet 's use of a simile comparing the stars to diamonds in the sky adds a touch of beauty and sparkle to the nighttime landscape .
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irony
[noun]

a form of humor in which the words that someone says mean the opposite, producing an emphatic effect

Ex: Through irony, she pointed out the flaws in their logic without directly insulting them .
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marks and notes written in the margins of a book or document

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memoir
[noun]

a written account of a person's own life experiences or a particular period in their life

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the story of the life of a person, written by the same person

Ex: The autobiography provided a unique perspective on the civil rights movement .
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a book that combines illustrations and storytelling to convey a narrative, often in a sequential art format

Ex: She discovered a graphic novel series that explores historical events .
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anthology
[noun]

a collection of selected writings by various authors, often on a similar theme or subject

Ex: Students studied an anthology of plays by Shakespeare for their literature class .
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a handwritten or typed document that has not yet been published or printed, often used to refer to an author's draft of a book or other literary work

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satirical
[Adjective]

intending to mock, ridicule, or criticize a person, group, or society in a humorous or exaggerated way

Ex: The film used satirical elements to challenge social norms .
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excerpt
[noun]

a short piece taken from a longer composition

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scroll
[noun]

a roll of parchment, paper, or other material containing writing or images, often used for historical or religious texts

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(grammar) a phrase or word used suddenly to express a particular emotion

Ex: During the debate , the speaker highlighted the importance of interjection in conveying emotions in speech .
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tone
[noun]

the general manner or attitude of the author in a literary work

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canon
[noun]

a recognized collection of authoritative books, texts, or works within a particular field or tradition, especially in religion

Ex: " The Great Gatsby " by F. Scott Fitzgerald is often included in the canon of American literature .
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the main character in a movie, novel, TV show, etc.

Ex: The protagonist's quest for redemption and forgiveness forms the emotional core of the narrative , resonating with audiences on a deeply human level .
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heroine
[noun]

the main female character in a story, book, film, etc., typically known for great qualities

Ex: The story is about a heroine who fights evil with her magical powers .
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the use of words and expressions that are not meant to be taken literally, but rather to create a vivid, imaginative image or effect in the reader's mind

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melodramatic
[Adjective]

exaggerated or overly emotional in a theatrical or sensational way

Ex: The teenager 's diary entries were filled with melodramatic accounts of daily challenges and triumphs .
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a cheap paperback novel often featuring an adventure or melodramatic story

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to turn real events or situations into a tale or story, often by changing or adding to the details

Ex: Authors often fictionalize distant memories to explore deeper emotional truths in their writing .
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backstory
[noun]

the events that have happened to a character before their story in a book, movie, etc. begins

Ex: The video game 's immersive storyline included optional quests that allowed players to uncover hidden aspects of the protagonist 's backstory.
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an author whose work is published under someone else's name

Ex: The ghostwriter's name remained confidential while the author 's name was on the cover .
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glyph
[noun]

a decorative element or symbol carved or inscribed onto a surface

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syntax
[noun]

(linguistics) the way in which words and phrases are arranged to form grammatical sentences in a language

Ex: Syntax analysis helps in identifying how sentence elements like nouns , verbs , and adjectives interact within a given linguistic framework .
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dialect
[noun]

the spoken form of a language specific to a certain region or people which is slightly different from the standard form in words and grammar

Ex: Linguists study dialects to better understand language variation and change , as well as the social and cultural factors that shape linguistic diversity .
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(phonetics) the rising and falling of the voice when speaking

Ex: Intonation is an important aspect of spoken language that helps listeners interpret the speaker 's attitude , mood , and intention , contributing to effective communication .
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acronym
[noun]

a word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word

Ex: The company name was created as an acronym from its founders ' initials .
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a type of abbreviation where the first letter of each word in a phrase or name is used to form a pronounceable acronym-like string of letters

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etymology
[noun]

the study of the origins and historical developments of words and their meanings

Ex: The etymology of " amplify " reveals its roots in Latin " amplus , " meaning large or spacious .
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linguist
[noun]

an expert in the study of language, examining its structure, development, and cultural aspects

Ex: Linguists contribute to language preservation efforts , documenting and revitalizing endangered languages .
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mythology
[noun]

a collection of ancient myths, particularly one that belongs to a group of people and their history, etc.

Ex: Many cultures around the world have their own mythology, which reflects their history , values , and worldview .
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chimera
[noun]

a mythological creature in Greek mythology, typically depicted as a fire-breathing creature with the body and head of a lion, the head of a goat protruding from its back, and a serpent for a tail

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basilisk
[noun]

a legendary reptile, often depicted as having a deadly gaze or venomous breath

Ex: The ancient texts warned of the basilisk's power , advising caution to those who dared to confront it .
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burlesque
[noun]

an absurd or comically exaggerated replication of a literary or dramatic work

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folklore
[noun]

the traditional beliefs, customs, stories, and legends of a particular community, usually passed down through generations by word of mouth

Ex: Folklore can also evolve over time , adapting to changes in society and incorporating new influences while retaining its essential character and meaning .
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custom
[noun]

a way of behaving or of doing something that is widely accepted in a society or among a specific group of people

Ex: The custom of having afternoon tea is still popular in some parts of the UK .
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lore
[noun]

collective knowledge, traditions, beliefs, and stories passed down within a culture or community, typically through storytelling

Ex: Exploring the lore of ancient civilizations helps archaeologists understand their societal structures and religious practices .
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elegy
[noun]

a song or poem expressing sadness, especially in the memory of a dead person or a bitter event in the past

Ex: Through the elegy, the poet found catharsis in expressing their grief and honoring the memory of the departed .
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heritage
[noun]

an individual's religious or ethnic background that is passed down to them from their ancestors

Ex: She learned traditional recipes from her grandmother , preserving her culinary heritage for future generations .
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time-honored
[Adjective]

(of traditions, practices, or customs) respected and followed for a long time because of their enduring value or significance

Ex: The library is a repository of time-honored literature that has shaped generations of readers .
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a group within a larger culture that shares distinctive values, norms, and behaviors, often differing from those of the dominant culture

Ex: The punk subculture emerged in the 1970s as a rebellion against mainstream culture, with its distinctive music, fashion, and anti-establishment attitudes still prevalent among its followers today.
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rebirth
[noun]

a renewed period of growth, popularity, or significance, particularly in cultural, artistic, or economic contexts

Ex: The economic rebirth of the neighborhood came with new businesses and community initiatives .
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ACT Humanities
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