Ap English Terminology Test

Allegory Definition

A narrative where characters and settings represent general concepts and ideas to convey complex meanings.

Alliteration Definition

Repetition of the same consonant sound in a sequence, enhancing the musical effect in poetry and prose.

Allusion Definition

A reference to something commonly known, simplifying complex ideas for readers.

Anaphora Definition

Deliberate repetition of the first part of a sentence to achieve artistic effect.

Anecdote Definition

A short, amusing, or interesting story, often a true first-hand account.

Archetype Definition

A universal idea or character shared by people, providing literary works with universal acceptance.

Black Humour Definition

Finding humor in serious topics like death or insanity to add levity.

Connotation Definition

Associated meanings that imply personal or emotional significance to a word.

Denotation Definition

The literal meaning of a word, contrasting with its connotative meanings.

Diction Definition

The word choice by a writer to convey specific meanings or emotional responses.

Euphemism Definition

A mild or indirect way of expressing something unpleasant or socially taboo.

Hyperbole Definition

Deliberate exaggeration for comedic effect or irony.

Idiom Definition

A phrase with a hidden meaning that is not literal.

Irony (Dramatic) Definition

When facts are known to the audience but not to the characters.

Irony (Situational) Definition

Events that turn out opposite of what is expected.

Irony (Verbal) Definition

Words that state the opposite of the writer's true meaning.

Irony (Cosmic) Definition

The contrast between human determination and fate.

Juxtaposition Definition

Placing two ideas or images side by side for comparison or contrast.

Metaphor Definition

An implied comparison between seemingly unlike things, enhancing meaning.

Mood Definition

The emotional atmosphere of a work, influenced by setting, tone, and events.

Motif Definition

A recurring image or theme in a literary work, aiding in comprehension of underlying messages.

Onomatopoeia Definition

Words that imitate natural sounds, enhancing meaning and visualization.

Pathetic Fallacy Definition

When nature reflects human emotions or events.

Periodic Sentence Definition

A sentence that withholds important information until the end for suspense.

Personification Definition

Attributing human qualities to non-human entities to engage readers.

Poetic Justice Definition

The concept that good is rewarded and evil is punished.

Pun Definition

A play on words that produces humor through multiple meanings.

Rhyming Definition

Repetition of similar sounds at the end of lines in poetry or songs.

Repetition Definition

Duplication of language elements to convey deeper meaning and significance.

Satire Definition

Ridicule or irony used to criticize foolishness or corruption in individuals or society.

Simile Definition

A comparison using "like" or "as" to enhance imagery.

Stanza Definition

A division of a poem, acting like a paragraph to separate ideas.

Symbolism Definition

Using one thing to represent another, adding layers of meaning.

Theme Definition

The central idea or message of a work, offering insights into life.

Tone Definition

The writer's attitude towards the subject, conveyed through word choice and punctuation.

Rhetorical Question Definition

A question posed for effect, not intended to be answered.

Understatement Definition

Making a fact seem less significant to create irony.

Purpose of Studying Elements of Fiction

• Gives purpose and meaning to texts, storytelling, and character development.

• Allows for inquiry learning and critical thinking.

• Helps you predict, problem-solve, and challenge yourself to learn more.

Direct Characterization

The narrator explicitly tells the reader about a characters personality

Indirect Characterization

The reader infers the characters personality through their appearance, words, actions, thoughts, and others’ reactions.

Types of Characters

• Stock (stereotypical)

• Foil (contrasting)

First Person POV

Narrator is a character in the story ("I")

Second Person POV

Narrator addresses the reader directly ("you")

Third Person Limited POV

Narrator is outside the story and focuses on one character's thoughts and feelings

Third Person Omniscient

Narrator is outside the story and knows all characters' thoughts and feelings

Unreliable Narrator

Narrator may be deceptive or mentally unstable

Naive Narrator

Narrator lacks full uderstanding of the storys events

Theme

• The central message or universal idea the author conveys about life, people, or important issues.

• Not directly stated; must be inferred by the reader.

• Expressed as a sentence, not a single word.

Plot Structure

• Chronological, parallel, open-ended, etc.

Elements of Setting

Physical, temporal, social

Title

What predictions can you make based on the title? What do you think the title means?

Paraphrase

What do you think the literal meaning of this poem is?

*Questions to consider:

What is happening? What do you visualise? What does it make you think about? What is your emotional reaction?

Connotations

Delve into the figurative, noting important words and their various possible figurative meanings. Students can also look for patterns in the poem here (meter, devices, extended metaphor, enjambment, caesura, etc.).

Attitude

Essentially tone. Consider the speaker’s attitude toward the material created

in the “Paraphrase” category.

Shifts

Look for shifts in the speaker’s attitude as the poem progresses.  You can also look for shifts in setting or time. You’ll find a few clues in this poem for shifts in time.

Title - After Analysis

Do you view the title differently after a deep analysis? 

What are the literal and figurative meanings of some more interesting words?

Theme

Consider how all of these notes come together to create one main idea. What statement do you think the poet is trying to make?

Allegory Function

To convey (semi-)hidden or complex meanings through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, or events, which together create the moral, spiritual, or political meaning 

Allegory Example

The tortoise and the hare

Alliteration Function

Has a very vital role in poetry and prose. It creates a musical effect in the text that enhances the pleasure of reading a literary piece. 

Alliteration Example

Drew drew Drew or Reshetar rides roller coasters or A sea of sea shells. 

Allusion Function

To simplify complex ideas and/or emotions for readers. 

Allusion Example

I was surprised his nose was not growing like Pinocchio’s. 

Anaphora Function

Used to achieve an artistic effect and impact 

Anaphora Exampe

“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” 

Anecdote Function

Make connections and reveal a truth through humour 

Anecdote Example

In my experience…

Archetype Function

Gives a literary work a universal acceptance, as readers identify the characters and situations in their social and cultural context. 

Archetype Example

The Hero, The Teacher, The Trickster, The Monster, The Magician   

Black Humor Function

To add levity (light humour) to  
otherwise dark topics. Adds relief.  

Black Humor Example

Spoiler alert, everybody dies 

Connotation Function

Paves way for creativity by using figures of speech like metaphor, simile, symbolism, and personification. 

Connotation Example

“Home” connotes intimacy, privacy, and coziness. 

Denotation Function

Creates familiarity in writing, readers understand terms well. 

Denotation Example

“Home” denotes the place  
where a person lives 

Dictation Function

To fulfill an author's purpose and intention in writing. 

Dictation Example

A poet chooses rich words that are musical. Instruction manuals use technical language 

Euphemism Function

Helps writers convey those ideas that have become a  social taboo, and are too embarrassing to mention directly 

Euphemism Example

You say someone passed away rather than died. 

Hyperbole Function

Comedic relief and used to produce irony

Hyperbole Example

“I have a million things  
to do today!” 

Idiom Function

Elaborate their language, to make it richer and spicier, and to help them in conveying subtle meanings to their intended audience 

Idiom Example

Its raining cats and dogs

Irony Function

Brings about some added meanings to a situation. Statements and situations in literature develop readers’ interest. Makes a work of literature more intriguing, and forces the readers to use their imaginations to comprehend the underlying meanings of the texts. 

Dramatic Irony Example

Robin Williams character in Mrs. Doubtfire 

Situational Irony Example

A fire station burns down. A police station gets robbed. 

Verbal Irony Example

One got in a car accident and said “Lucky me!”  
When we wish our enemies well Congratulate our rivals 

Cosmic Irony Example

How the great composer Beethoven lost his hearing 

Juxtaposition Function

Evoke interest by developing a comparison between two unlike things. 
Creates vividness and controls pacing 

Juxtaposition Example

A giant hairy gorilla holding a delicate newborn baby 

Metaphor Function

Makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful 

Metaphor Example

My brother was boiling mad. Her voice is music to his ears. 

Motif Function

Helps readers to comprehend the underlying messages or theme through repetition,  that writers intend to  
communicate to them. 

Motif Example

The doughnut is a constant  
motif in The Simpsons 

Onomatopoeia Function

Used to convey meaning to reader 
Used also to help readers visualize  

Onomatopoeia Example

Splash, drip

Pathetic Fallacy Function

Writers try to bring inanimate objects to life, so that the nature of emotions they want to convey is understood in a better way 

Pathetic Fallacy Example

Mourners at a funeral are crying and the rain, like teardrops, pours down on them 

Periodic Sentences Function

To create suspense and add interest to writing 

Periodic Sentence Example

“Whether playing a young wild adven the turer, a fugitive from law, or a U.S. president, there is one actor whose films always make money – Harrison Ford.”