AP Lang Vocab 4

simile

an explicit comparison between two things of unlike nature, usually using “like” or “as”

metaphor

an implied comparison between two things of unlike nature

personification

investing abstractions or inanimate objects with human qualities

imagery

vivid description that appeals to a readers’ senses to create an image or idea in their head

alliteration

repetition of initial or medial consonants in two or more adjacent words

archetype

a recurrent symbol or motif throughout literature that represents universal patterns of human nature

symbol(ism)

something that stands for or suggests something else; it represents something beyond literal meaning

motif

an object or idea that repeats itself throughout a literary work