Pre-AP 10 Literary Terms

allusion

Reference to someone or something that is known from history, literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or another branch of culture.

anaphora

The deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect

dramatic irony

A point in the narrative where the reader or audience knows something significant that the characters do not.

diction

A speaker or writer's choice of words.

foreshadowing

The use of clues or hints to suggest events that will happen later in the plot used to build suspense for the reader

hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

imagery

The use of language to evoke a picture or a concrete sensation of a person, a thing, a place, or an experience; be sure to reference the five senses

juxtaposition

The act of placing two contrasting or opposing ideas, images, or words side by side or near each other for effect.

metaphor

A figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two unrelated things that happen to share a common characteristic.

mood

An atmosphere created by a writer's diction (word choice) and the details selected.

personification

Giving human characteristics to something non-human

simile

A figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things; draws resemblance with the help of the words "like" or "as

situational irony

A point in the narrative where the outcome is very different from what is expected. Includes the use of contradictions and contrasts.

symbol

An image or object that stands for something else; Usually something concrete representing an abstract feeling or idea

motif

recurring symbol

tone

The attitude a writer takes toward the subject of a work or the audience, revealed through diction and figurative language.

theme

The main idea or underlying meaning of a text; expands on some of the major subjects that the text is about, and helps readers understand what lesson or truth they can take away from the text.

Flashback

action that interrupts to show an event that happened at an earlier time which is necessary to better understanding.

Onomatopoeia

the use of words to imitate the sounds they describe.

oxymoron

two terms appear to contradict each other; "I must be cruel only to be kind."

pun

a figure of speech which consists of a deliberate confusion of similar words or phrases; In Romeo and Juliet (III.i.101), the dying Mercutio puns, "Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man."

Rhyme

identical or similar concluding syllables in different words are repeated; the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line

rhyme scheme

the pattern of rhyming lines; Bid me to weep, and I will weep (A) While I have eyes to see; (B) And having none, and yet I will keep (A) A heart to weep for thee. (B)

figurative language

words that create vivid pictures in your mind

irony

Convey a meaning that is opposite of what is actually said. Test phrasing = what's ironic

allusion

A reference to a famous person or event in life or literature. She is as pretty as the Mona Lisa.

Denotation

the dictionary definition of a word

connotation

the associations called up by a word beyond its dictionary definition

speaker

the narrative voice of the poem

paradox

Longer contradictory statement that seems false until you examine the saying or story more.

alliteration

the repetition of consonant sound, especially at the beginnings of words; "Fetched fresh, as I suppose, off some sweet wood."

Assonance

The repetition of similar vowel sounds in a sentence or a line of poetry or prose; "I rose and told him of my woe."

Consonance

repetition, at close intervals, of the final consonant sounds of accented syllables or important words.