AP lit (figurative language chart)

Analogy (analogous) (analogical)

A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification

Metaphor (metaphorical)

The comparison of one thing to another without the use of like or as;

Implied metaphor – A subtle comparison; the terms being compared are not specifically explained. “The man brayed his refusal to leave” (he is being compared to a mule). 

Extended metaphor – A sustained comparison in which part or all of a work consists of a series of related metaphors.

simile

a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as 

Personification (personified)

something that is not human is given human characteristics.

Apostrophe (apostrophic)

An exclamatory passage in a speech or poem addressed to a person (typically one who is dead or absent) or thing (typically one that is personified)

Allusion (~allusive)

a brief reference to a person, place, thing, event, or idea in history or literature

Allegory (allegorical)

Form of narrative in which people, places, and happenings have hidden or symbolic meaning

conceit

A fanciful expression in writing or speech; an elaborate metaphor

Symbolism

A figure of speech where an object, person, or situation has another meaning other than its literal meaning

Metonymy(metonymical) (metonymic)

a figure of speech in which a closely related term is substituted for an object or idea. “We have always remained loyal to the crown.”

Synecdoche (synecdochical)

a figure of speech in which a part is substituted for the whole. “Lend me a hand.”

Synaesthesia (synesthetic)

The production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body……synesthesia refers to a technique adopted by writers to present ideas, characters, or places in such a manner that they appeal to more than one sense, like hearing, sight, smell, and touch at a given time.

Hyperbole (hyperbolic)

obvious and intentional exaggeration

Meiosis (same as litote)

Ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary (“you won’t be sorry”=”you’ll be glad)

Irony (ironic)

the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated.

Antithesis

(antithetical)

a counter-proposition that denotes a direct contrast to the original proposition

Oxymoron

(oxymoronic)

when two contradictory words are together in one phrase

Litotes

(litotic)

  a figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite, as in This is no small problem.

Paradox (paradoxical)

the juxtaposition of a set of seemingly contradictory concepts that reveal a hidden and/or unexpected truth

Pun

a play on words, usually for a comic reception

Neologism (neologistic)  (neologic)

A newly coined word or expression