ap lit terms list 1

the ones that i need

synesthesia

using one sense to describe another (“loud dress”). evokes a strong emotional response?

litotes

affirmative is expressed by denying the opposite (“he’s not unhandsome”) can be used for understatement, humor, irony, that thing.

understatement

minimizes significance or importance of smth (“it’s not too dirty”) to imply humor, irony, or emphasize true significance of it. “iceberg theory” idk looks interesting

conceit

a far-fetched or fanciful extended metaphor. deepens meaning/creates emotional connection to story/makes it memorable?

euphemism

an indirect word or phrase to replace its harsher alternative (“we’re letting you go” = “you’re fired boi”) to leaven discomfort

metonymy

a term is replaced by something closely associated with it (“Hollywood” = the American film industry) concise and gives imagery.

synecdoche

a term is replaced with a part of it to represent the whole (“heels” = high-heeled shoes) brief and efficient

consonance

repetition of the same consonant sounds (“frumpy lumpy pillow”) this enhances rhythm and dramatic auditory effect

assonance

repetition of similar vowel sounds (“the man with the plan in a jam”) rhythmic quality and emphasis on the words used

apostrophe

a speaker directly addresses someone who cannot respond (a dead person, inanimate object, abstract concept) conveys emotion and expression, personifies the object.

anaphora

repeated use of the same phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. emphasizes and points the tone.

parallelism

repetition of grammatical choices to suggest connections or highlight contrasts.

paradox

a statement that appears contradictory on the surface but holds a deeper meaning with closer interpretation. creates emotional depth and portrays complexity of the situation.

pun

play on words that is made to add humor to the text, develop the speaker’s character, tone, or imply theme. three kinds: homophonic (words that sound the same but have diff meaning), homographic (words that spell the same), and homonymic (spelled and pronounced the same).

irony

contrast between expectations and reality to add humor and/or suspense. three kinds: verbal (speaker says opposite of what they actually mean), dramatic (audience is aware of what the character is not), and situational (expectations are subverted by reality).

amplification

expansion upon the idea (a brief statement, usually) to add detail/emphasis.

stream of consciousness

continuous flow of character/narrator’s thoughts in an unorganized fashion.

foil

two elements (usually characters) that contrast with one another, highlighting one another’s qualities (e.g. george and lennie)

archetype

universal, recurring pattern in life and literature (e.g. the jester, the wiseman, the damsel, hero’s journey)

catharsis

purging or cleansing of pent-up emotions through a big thing (e.g. oedipus gouging his eyes out in shame and guilt)

denouement

final outcome of a story after the climax, where the plot's main conflicts are resolved, loose ends are tied up, and the characters' fates are clarified, providing closure for the audience

epiphany

moment of sudden, profound realization or insight that fundamentally changes a character's perception, leading to a significant shift in their understanding or perspective

colloquial language

informal, everyday words and phrases used in casual conversation, often specific to a region or time period, to make writing or dialogue more realistic and authentic

deus ex machina

plot device where a seemingly impossible conflict is abruptly resolved by the sudden and unexpected intervention of an external, often contrived, force or character that was not previously established

verisimilitude

a story feels true, even if it is a work of fiction or fantasy

in media res

a story begins in the middle of the action, or "in the midst of things," rather than at the chronological start