AP Lit - Literary Terms

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

Consonance

Repetition of a consonant sound in the middle or at the end of two or more words in close proximity

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds within two or more words in close proximity

Paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

Litotes

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

Euphemism

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

Metonymy

The use of a linked term to stand for an object or concept

Chiasmus

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

Antimetabole

The repetition of words in an inverted order to sharpen a contrast.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa

Syllepsis

Use of a word understood differently in relation to two or more other words, which it modifies or governs

Ellipsis

Three periods (...) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation

Aphorism

A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.

Inversion

Inverted order of words in a sentence (variation of the subject-verb-object order)

Personification

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

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Metaphor

A statement that makes a comparison between two unrelated things

Simile

A statement that makes a comparison between two unrelated things using like or as

Synesthesia

Describing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")

Apostrophe

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

Allusion

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

Analogy

An extended comparison of two different things that are similar in some way

Symbol

A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract

Conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects

Hypothetical

Based on an assumption or guess; used as a provisional or tentative idea to guide or direct investigation

Rhetorical question

A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer

Rhetoric

The art of using language effectively and persuasively

Dramatic irony

When a reader is aware of something that a character isn't

Situational irony

Actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

Verbal irony

A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant

Tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

Figurative language

Language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words

Parallelism

Phrases or sentences of a similar construction/meaning placed side by side, balancing each other

Colloquial

Characteristic of ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word

Connotation

All the meanings, associations, or emotions that a word suggests

Idiom

An expression whose meaning is only figurative, not literal

Dialect

A regional variety of a language distinguished by vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation

Decorum

Proper behavior, good taste; orderliness

Slang

An informal, often short-lived kind of language used in place of standard words

Jargon

Special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language

Repetition

Repeated use of sounds, words, or ideas for effect and emphasis

Antithesis

Emphasizes contrast by parallel structures of contrasted clauses

Visual imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of sight

Auditory imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of hearing

Olfactory imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of smell

Gustatory imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of taste

Tactile imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of touch

Kinetic imagery

Descriptive language that refers to motion

Kinesthetic imagery

Descriptive language that refers to a bodily movement

Paronomasia

A play on words usually involving double meanings