AP Lang Literary Devices Set 1

Active Voice

The subject of the sentence performs the action. This is a more direct and preferred style of writing in most cases.

Allusion

An indirect reference to something (usually a literary text)

Alter-Ego

A character that is used by the author to speak the author’s own thoughts.

Anecdote

A brief recounting of a  relevant episode. Helps to develop a point or inject humor.

Antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

Comic Relief

When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat.

Colloquial

Ordinary or familiar type of conversation. A common or familiar type of saying.

Connotation

Rather than the dictionary definition, the associations suggested by a word.

Denotation

The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without connotations.

Jargon

The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.

Vernacular

Language or dialect of a particular country

Didactic

A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.

Adage

A folk saying with a lesson

Allegory

A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts. Meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth

Aphorism

A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. An (blank) can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.

Elipsis

The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts

Analogy

A comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables. When used, argues that the relationship between the first pair of variables is the same as the relationship between the second pair of variables.

Hyperbole

An exaggeration of something.