AP LANG - Literary Terms for Regents Exam

Allusion

a brief and indirect reference in a text to something typically of historical, biblical, or literary significance. The reference does not go into detail.

Characterization

the ways in which a writer portrays a character either directly or indirectly.

Direct characterization

how a character is portrayed through his/her description, actions, words, or thoughts. How a character behaves, decisions he/she makes, and the way he/she talks to others can tell us a lot about what kind of person he/she is.

Indirect characterization

How a character is portrayed through other characters’ actions or reactions, words or thoughts. How other characters respond to him/her and what they say to or about him/her is very telling information. For example, if we read that everyone runs and hides, trembling in the corner when Johnny walks into a room, then we might assume that Johnny is terrifying or cruel based on the others’ actions.

Conflict

A Struggle between two, opposing forces-- usually a protagonist and antagonist.

Internal conflict

a psychological one in which a character typically experiences two conflicting emotions or desires, i.e. the decision to do good or evil.

External conflict

experienced by a character when he encounters obstacles that hurt or stop his progress. It may be the actions or tactics of another character (man vs. man); it may be forces of nature, such as a storm or drought (man vs. nature); it may be society (man vs. society). Occasionally, there are other forces to contend with, such as the supernatural!

Details

descriptive information a writer includes that serves the purpose of making a text more interesting and stimulating, as well as engaging the reader in the meaning making process. Allow a writer to “show” not “tell.”

Diction

word choice; the style of speaking or writing as determined by the choice of words. When we talk about word choice, we often talk about connotative diction– or words that are chosen for the many emotional and associative feelings/meanings that come along with them. When we talk about a style of writing.

Foreshadowing

When a writer gives a hint about what will happen later. Can create suspense and expectation about what will come.

Hyperbole

An extremely exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally. For example: I am starving!

Imagery

the use of descriptive language (i.e., figurative language) that draws on the five senses (sight, sound, taste, smell, touch) to help the reader imagine or to create a particular effect.

Verbal irony

occurs when words mean something other than they appear to mean (when the actual meaning is different from the literal meaning (i.e., a big dog named "Tiny").

Situational Irony

occurs when the opposite of what was likely or expected happens. In other words, when a situation turns out to go opposite of how it was anticipated to go (i.e., winning the lottery-- the jackpot for life-- only to die the next day; or miraculously escaping a terrible highway accident only to have a tree fall on your car later on).

Dramatic Irony

occurs when the audience is aware, or more aware, of what is happening than the characters are (i.e., readers know that Juliet is not really dead but merely asleep, but Romeo does not know this and kills himself).

Juxtaposition

the side-by-side or close placement of two or more things (often unlike in some salient aspect) for effect or contrast

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which an unstated comparison is made between two things that are unrelated but share some characteristics. The comparison, not meant to be taken literally, offers more understanding, depth or color to whatever is being described.

Direct metaphor

This office is a prison

Indirect metaphor

I’m stuck behind bars from 9-5!

Mood

The atmosphere or feeling evoked by a text. Can be created by the setting, imagery, diction, genre, tone, theme, and more. It is what the text makes the reader feel!

Paradox

A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement that somehow makes sense. For example, “War is Peace!”

Personification

ascribing human characteristics to non-human things. For example, the trees whispered in the wind. (Not to be confused with Anthropomorphism, where animals or inanimate objects are portrayed as humans in a story—i.e., walking, talking, etc.).

Rhetorical Appeals

Aristotle’s three modes of persuasion– pathos, ethos, and logos– that he claimed help make an argument more persuasive by appealing to emotion, credibility, and logic.

Pathos

an appeal to emotions

Ethos

an appeal that seeks to establish credibility

Logos

An appeal to logic

Rhetorical Question

a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.

Setting

The time and location in which a story takes place. Weather, too, can sometimes be a part of it

Simile:

A figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two unrelated things using the words "like" or "as." For example: Mama is like a thunderstorm, always rumbling!

Symbolism

A figure of speech in which an object, character, or event represents something else—often an abstract idea—throughout a literary work. For example, In Harry Potter, Harry’s scar is symbolic of his bravery and strength.

Theme:

A central idea that runs through or is presented in a literary work; it may be directly or indirectly expressed, major or minor. Avoid using one word to describe it, as one might describe a topic or subject. It should be expressed in a complete sentence, to express a complete opinion or idea.

Tone

the attitude or feelings of the writer or speaker towards something or someone.