AP Lit & Comp Vocabulary

Technique cluster What to look for What it often does Diction & connotation charged words, evaluative adjectives, abstract vs concrete reveals attitude; exposes bias; creates tone Imagery & sensory detail repeated visuals (light/dark, rot/clean, cold/warm) sets mood; symbolizes inner state; foreshadows Syntax & pacing long cumulative sentences vs fragments; interruptions; parallelism mirrors thought; builds tension; emphasizes key ideas Point of view & distance 1st vs 3rd; free indirect style; direct address; withheld info shapes trust; reveals self-deception; creates intimacy or irony Structure & shifts turn from description to reflection; present to past; calm to panic shows change in perception; clarifies stakes Figurative language metaphor, simile, personification compresses meaning; reframes experience Sound & rhythm (sometimes) alliteration, harsh consonants, soft sibilance intensifies mood; underscores emotional texture

What is diction and connotation in literary analysis?

The choice of charged words, evaluative adjectives, and the distinction between abstract vs concrete terms.

What does diction and connotation reveal?

It reveals attitude, exposes bias, and creates tone in the text.

What is imagery and sensory detail?

The use of repeated visuals, such as light/dark, rot/clean, and cold/warm.

What does imagery and sensory detail do?

It sets mood, symbolizes inner state, and foreshadows events.

What is syntax and pacing?

The structure of sentences, including long cumulative sentences vs fragments, interruptions, and parallelism.

What does syntax and pacing mirror?

It mirrors thought, builds tension, and emphasizes key ideas.

What are point of view and distance in literature?

The perspective used in the narrative, such as 1st vs 3rd person, free indirect style, and direct address.

What does point of view and distance shape?

It shapes trust, reveals self-deception, and creates intimacy or irony.

What is structure and shifts?

The transitions in a text from description to reflection, present to past, and calm to panic.

What do structure and shifts show?

They show change in perception and clarify stakes.

What is figurative language?

Literary devices such as metaphor, simile, and personification.

What does figurative language do?

It compresses meaning and reframes experience.

What is sound and rhythm?

The use of literary devices like alliteration, harsh consonants, and soft sibilance.

What does sound and rhythm often do?

It intensifies mood and underscores emotional texture.