Pre-AP American Lit Final Exam Vocab

pun

a humorous play on words

imagery

language that appeals to the senses

symbolism

using objects, colors, or actions to represent abstract ideas, emotions, or deeper meanings

consonance

harmony, agreement, or a pleasing combination of sounds

personification

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

oxymoron

a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction

simile

A comparison of two unlike things using like or as

assonance

Repetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity

synecdoche

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

hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

alliteration

occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

allegory

abstract ideas, moral lessons, or political situations are represented by characters, settings, or events in a story

allusion

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference

characterization

The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character

diction

the choice and use of words in writing or speech

irony

expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect

mood

emotional response or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader

narrative

a structured account of connected events, forming a story

theme

the central idea, underlying message, or philosophical concept explored in a text

tone

the author's or narrator's attitude toward the subject matter, characters, or audience

metaphor

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

foreshadow

a narrative device where an author drops subtle clues or hints about events that will happen later in a story