AP Lit Lit Terms

allegory

a story in which people, things, and actions represent an idea about life; these often have a strong lesson.

alliteration

the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words (tongue twisters)

allusion

a reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature. These are often indirect or brief references to well-known characters or events

analogy

a comparison of two or more like objects that suggests if they are alike in certain respects, they will probably alike in other ways as well

anecdote

a brief account of an interesting incident or event that usually is intended to entertain or to make a point

aside

an actor’s speech, directed to the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by other actors on stage. This is used to let the audience know what a character is about to do or what he or she is thinking

assonance

repetition of vowel sounds within a line of poetry

ballad

is a poem that tells a story and is meant to be sung or recited

blank verse

unrhymed iambic pentameter

caesura

a pause or a sudden break in a line of poetry

cliche

a type of figurative language containing an overused expression or a saying that is no longer considered original

consonance

the repetition of consonant sounds anywhere within a line of poetry

couplet

a rhymed pair of lines in a poem

dialect

a form of language that is spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of people

dramatic monologue

a literary device that is used when a character reveals his or her innermost thoughts and feelings, those that are hidden throughout the course of the story line, through a poem or a speech. This speech, where only one character speaks, is recited while other characters are present onstage.

elegy

a literary song or poem that expresses sorrow or lamentation, usually for one who has died

enjambment

in poetry, the running over of a line or thought into the next of verse

epigram

a short poem or verse that seeks to ridicule a thought or event, usually with witticism or sarcasm

epic

a long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero whose actions reflect the ideals and values of a nation or group

epiphany

a sudden moment of understanding that causes a character to change or to act in a certain way

epitaph

a short poem or verse written in memory of someone

extended metaphor

a figure of speech that compares two essentially unlike things in great length

fable

a brief tale that teaches a lesson about human nature. These often feature animals as characters

figurative language/figure of speech

expressions that are not literally true, such as simile and metaphor

flashback

an interruption of the chronological sequence of an event of earlier occurrence

foil

a character who contrasts with another character—usually with the protagonist—in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character

foot

a unit of meter within a line of poetry

foreshadowing

when the writer provides clues or hints that suggest or predict future events in a story

free verse

poetry without regular patterns of rhyme and rhythm. Often used to capture the sounds and rhythms of ordinary speech

genre

a type of category of literature. The four main ones are fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama

haiku

a traditional form of Japanese poetry, usually dealing with nature. This has three lines and describes a single moment, feeling, or thing. The first and third lines contain five syllables and the second line contains seven syllables.

heroic couplet/closed couplet

a couplet consisting of two successive rhyming lines that contain a complete thought

historical fiction

fiction that explores a past time period and may contain references to actual people and events

humor

the quality that provokes laughter or amusement. Writers create this through exaggeration, sarcasm, amusing descriptions, irony, and witty dialogue

hyperbole

a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect

idiom

a phrase or expression that means something different from what the words actually say (for example, using the phrase “over his head” instead of “He doesn’t understand)

imagery

the use of words and phrases that appeal to the five senses. Writers use sensory details to help readers imagine how things look, feel, smell, sound, and taste

irony

a contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens. It spices up a literary work by adding unexpected twists and allowing the reader to become more involved with the characters and plot. There are many types.

verbal irony

when the speaker means something different than what he or she is saying

dramatic irony

when the audience knows something the characters don’t know

situational irony

the difference between what is expected to happen and the way events actually work out

legend

a story handed down from the past about a specific person, usually someone of heroic accomplishments

limerick

a short humorous poem composed of five lines that usually has the rhyme scheme aabba, created by two rhyming couplets followed by a fifth line that rhymes with the first couplet. This typically has a sing-song rhythm

lyric poetry

a song-like poem written mainly to express the feelings or emotions of a single speaker

memoir

an autobiographical writing that covers only a piece of the writer’s life

metaphor

a type of figurative language in which a comparison is made between two things that are essentially unalike but may have one quality in common. Unlike something else, this does not contain a specific word of comparison, such as “like” or “as”

meter

the regular pattern of accented and unaccented syllables

metonymy

the metaphorical substitution of one word or phrase for another related word or phrase. Example: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” The word “pen” is used in place of “words” and the word “sword” is used to represent the idea of fighting or war

mood

the feeling that a literary work conveys to readers

motif

a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature. This may also be two contrasting elements in a work, such as good and evil. This is important because it allows one to see main points and themes that the author is trying to express, in order that one might be able to interpret the work more accurately

myth

a traditional story that attempts to explain how the world was created or why the world is the way that it is. These are stories that are passed from generation to generation and are of unknown authorship

narrative

any writing that tells a story. Most novels and short stories are placed into the categories of first-person and third-person narratives, which are based on who is telling the story and from what perspective

narrative poetry

poetry that tells a story. One of these can come in many forms and styles, both complex and simple, short or long, as long as it tells a story. Like fiction, narrative poetry contains characters, settings, and plots

ode

a lyric poem of some length, usually of serious or meditative nature and having an elevated style and formal structure

onomatopoeia

the use of words whose sound suggest their meaning

oxymoron

a form of figurative language combining contradictory words or ideas

paradox

a statement that seems to contradict itself but is, nevertheless, true

parallelism

the use of similar grammatical constructions to express ideas that are related or equal in importance. For example: The sun rises. The sun sets.

parody

a literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author’s work for comic effect or ridicule

personification

a figure of speech where animals, ideas, or inanimate objects are given human characteristics

point of view

perspective from which a story is told. There are three main ones in stories.

first person point of view

the person telling the story is one of the characters in the story. It is the “I” point of view. It is the most limited among the types because the narrator can only state what he or she sees, feels, and hears

third person limited

the person telling the story is not one of the characters in the story. He or she is an outside observer. The reader only knows the thoughts and feelings of ONE character in the story

third person omniscient

the person telling the story is also an outside observer, but this narrator is able to know the thoughts and feelings of ALL the characters in the story

prose

the ordinary form of spoken and written language; that is, language that lacks the special features of poetry. Examples include: essays, stories, articles, speeches, etc.

realistic fiction

imaginative writing set in the real, modern world. The characters act like real people who use ordinary human abilities to cope with problems and conflicts typical modern life

refrain

repetition in literature of one or more lines at regular intervals; sometimes called the chorus

repetition

a technique in which a sound, word, phrase, or line is repeated for effect or emphasis

sarcasm

the use of praise to mock someone or something; the use of mockery or verbal irony

satire

a literary technique in which ideas or customs are ridiculed for the purpose of improving society

simile

a type of figurative language that makes a comparison between two otherwise unlike objects or ideas by connecting them with the words “like” or “as”

soliloquy

a speech delivered by a character who is alone on the stage

sonnet

a distinctive poetic style that uses a system or pattern of metrical structure and verse composition usually consisting of fourteen lines, arranged in a set rhyme scheme or pattern. There are two main styles, the Italian one and the English one.

speaker

the voice that talks to the reader in a poem, as the narrator does in a work of fiction. This is not necessarily the poet

stanza

a grouping of two or more lines within a poem. It is comparable to a paragraph in prose.

style

How a writer says something; many elements contribute to style, including word choice, sentence length, tone, and figurative language

suspense

a feeling of growing tension and excitement. Writers create this by raising questions in readers’ minds about what might happen

symbolism

using something specific to stand for something else, especially an idea. This is a person, place, object, or action that points to something beyond itself. For example, a dove may represent peace. The dove can be seen and peace cannot.

synecdoche

a literary technique in which the whole is represented by naming one of its parts. Example: “You’ve got to come take a look at my new set of wheels.” The vehicle is represented by its parts, or wheels.

tall tale

a humorously exaggerated story about impossible events

tone

the writer’s attitude or feeling about his or her subject

tragedy

a dramatic work that presents the downfall of a dignified character or characters who are involved in historically or socially significant events. The events in this plot are set in motion by a decision that is often an error in judgment. Succeeding events inevitably lead to a disastrous conclusion, usually death.

understatement

a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said; the opposite of hyperbole. This is usually used for a humorous effect

voice

an author or narrator’s distinctive style or manner of expression. This can reveal much about the author or narrator’s personality