AP Lit Terms

asyndeton

when the author leaves out conjunctions to increase the pace and to emphasize

polysyndeton

when the author adds multiple conjunctions to decrease the pace

synecdoche

A figure of speech in which part represents a whole (like "all hands on deck")

metonomy

A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated (such as "crown" for "royalty").

soliloquy

A long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage

litotes

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

anachronism

a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned.

antithesis

the direct opposite, a sharp contrast

personification

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes

indirect characterization

The character is revealed through their personality, appearance, words, actions, and effect on others

direct characterization

Author directly describes character

hyperbole

extreme exaggeration

allusion

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

anaphora

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.

inference

A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

motif

A recurring theme, subject or idea

malapropism

the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar

onomatopoeia

a word that imitates the sound it represents.

epistrophe

repetition of the same word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses

assonance

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

chiasmus

a reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases

loose sentence

one in which the main clause comes first, followed by further dependent grammatical units

flashback

a scene that interrupts the normal chronological sequence of events in a story to depict something that happened at an earlier time.

alliteration

repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together.

conceit

an elaborate metaphor that compares two things that are startlingly different. Often an extended metaphor.

euphemism

the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant

deus ex machina

a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly or abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence

syndeton

the use of a conjunction to connect words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence

intercalary

a chapter in a novel or novella that is relevant to the theme, but does not involve the main characters or further the plot.

frame tale

a story within a story

episodic narrative

a story that is told through a series of episodes, or segments

didactic

form of fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.

satire

a type of writing that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about a change.

periodic

a complex sentence in which the main clause, or main point, occurs at the end of the sentence instead of the beginning

in media res

the technique of beginning a story by dropping the reader in the midst of the action.

picturesque

a style of writing that evokes vivid and detailed mental images, often characterized by its charm and appeal

allegory

story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities.