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
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Three SEPARATE vocabulary assignments are DUE THE DAY OF THE TEST (see below)
1. Definitions and Drawings – USE COMPUTER PAPER + COLOR
2. Mnemonics AND 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)
o 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