AP lang

Allegory

Using characters/ story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to literal meaning

Alliteration

Repetition of sounds in two or more neighboring words usually consonants

Allusion

Direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known

Ambiguity

Multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of word/phrase/sentence/passage

Analogy

Similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them

Anaphora

Same expression is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines/clauses/sentences

Anecdote

Short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode/event

Antecedent

Word/phrase/clause referred to by a pronoun

Antithesis

Two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed usually through parallel structure

Aphorism

Tense statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle

Apostrophe

Figure of speech that directly addresses an absent/imaginary person or personified abstraction

Asyndeton

Omits conjunctions between words/phrases/clauses

Atmosphere

Emotional mood created by entirety of literary work, established partly by setting and partly by objects described

Chiasmus

Two successive phrases/clauses are parallel but reverse in word order

Clause

Has subject and verb

Colloquialism

Use of slang/informalities in speech/writing

Coherence

Principle demanding that parts of compositions be arranged so that meaning may be clear and intelligible

Conceit

Fanciful expression, usually in form of extended metaphor or surprising analogy between dissimilar objects

Connotation

No literal, associative meaning of a word

Detonation

Strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word

Diacope

Repetition of word/phrase after an intervening word/phrase

Diction

Writer’s word choices

Didactic

aims to teach or instruct usually morals/principles

Enumeratio

Divided into constituent parts/ details and list/detailing parts of something

Expletive

Figure of emphasis where a interrupting word emphasizes the other words

Euphemism

Less offensive/more agreeable substitute for a general word/concept

Exposition

Explains something, introduction- gives setting, tone, characters, and conflict

Extended metaphor

Metaphor developed at great length

Figurative language

writing or speech not meant to be literal

Figure of speech

Device used to produce figurative language

Generic conventions

Traditions for each genre

Genre

The major category of literary work fits in

Homily

Means “sermon” but really any serious talk/speech/lecture

Hyperbole

Figure of speech using exaggeration or overstatement

Hypophora

Figure of reasoning in which one or more questions are asked then answered

Imagery

Sensor details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions