Ap Lit & Comp Poetry Terms

allusion

allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

anaphora

the intentional repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines, stanzas, sentences, or paragraphs to create emphasis

apostrophe

addressing the dead, absent, or inanimate

atmosphere

the overall mood of a story or poem

chiasmus

A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed

conceit

extended metaphor

details, selection and order of

specific words, incidents, images, or events the author uses to create a scene or narrative

diction

A writer's or speaker's choice of words

dramatic situation

who is speaking to whom and under what circumstances?

epiphany

A moment of sudden revelation or insight

hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

imagery

Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

litotes

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite

metaphor

A comparison without using like or as

metonymy

substituting the name of one object for another object closely associated with it

irony

A contrast between expectation and reality

structural irony

an implication of alternate or reversed meaning that pervades a work

dramatic irony

when the audience knows something the characters do not

cosmic irony

the idea that fate, destiny, or a god controls and toys with human hopes and expectations

oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.

pathetic fallacy

The attribution of human emotions or characteristics to inanimate objects or to nature; for example angry clouds; a cruel wind.

paradox

a contradiction or dilemma

periphrasis

substitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name or of a proper name for a quality associated with the name

personification

the giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea

pun

a humorous play on words

repetition

intentional repetition of sounds, words, phrasing, or concepts to create unity and emphasis

rhetorical question

A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer

similie

comparing two things using like or as

symbol

anything that stands for or represents something else

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa

theme

reveals the poets dominant purpose behind writing the poem

tone

the general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.

understatement

the opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.