AP Lang Literacy Devices Lambert High School

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely connected words. Example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. She sells seashells by the seashore.

Allusion

A brief, indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. Examples: He's a real Romeo with the ladies. (Alludes to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet) This place is like Eden. (Alludes to the biblical Garden of Eden)

Analogy

A comparison between two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification. Examples: Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer. Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're gonna get.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Examples: I have a dream… I have a dream… I have a dream… —Martin Luther King Jr. Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.

Antithesis

A contrast or opposition between two ideas, often in parallel structure. Examples: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. —Charles Dickens Give me liberty, or give me death! —Patrick Henry

Aphorism

A concise, witty statement that expresses a general truth or principle. Examples: Actions speak louder than words. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech in which a speaker addresses an absent person, abstract idea, or inanimate object. Examples: O Death, where is thy sting? Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.

Chiasmus

A rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures. Examples: Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. —JFK Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.

Cliché

An overused expression or idea that has lost its originality or impact. Examples: Time heals all wounds. All's fair in love and war.

Epistrophe

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. Examples: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. I want pizza, he wants pizza, we all want pizza.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered too harsh or blunt. Examples: Passed away instead of died Let go instead of fired

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality, often for humorous or emphatic effect. Examples: A fire station burns down. The plumber's house has leaky pipes.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Examples: Deafening silence Bittersweet

Paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory but reveals a deeper truth. Examples: Less is more. I know one thing: that I know nothing.

Paralepsis

Emphasizing something by pretending to pass over it. Examples: I won't even mention the fact that he was late again. Not to speak of his dishonesty, but…

Polysyndeton

The use of multiple conjunctions in close succession, often more than necessary. Examples: I wore a sweater and a hat and a scarf and boots. He ran and jumped and laughed and played.

Pun

A play on words that exploits multiple meanings or similar sounds for humorous effect. Examples: Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. I used to be a baker, but I couldn't make enough dough.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect. Examples: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. This bag weighs a ton.

Idiom

A commonly used expression whose meaning is not deducible from the literal words. Examples: Kick the bucket (means to die) Spill the beans (means to reveal a secret)

Metaphor

A figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated things by stating one is the other. Examples: Time is a thief. Her voice was music to his ears.

Personification

Giving human traits or actions to non-human objects or abstract ideas. Examples: The wind whispered through the trees. The sun smiled down on us.