AP English Literary and Rhetorical Terms: Key Concepts and Devices

adage

a saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language

allegory

a story in which the narrative or characters carry an underlying symbolic, metaphorical, or possibly an ethical meaning

alliteration

the repetition of one or more initial consonants in a group of words or lines of poetry or prose

allusion

a reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea

anachronism

a person, scene, event, or other element in literature that fails to correspond with the time or era in which the work is set

analogy

a comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things

antagonist

a character or force in a work of literature that produces tension or conflict

antithesis

rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences

aphorism

short, pithy statement of a generally accepted truth or sentiment

apostrophe

a rhetorical device in which a speaker addresses a person or personified thing not present

archetype

an abstract or ideal conception of a type; an original model or form

assonance

repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words or lines in poetry and prose

ballad

a simple narrative verse that tells a story that is sung or recited

bathos

use of insincere or overdone sentimentality

bildungsroman

a German word referring to a novel structured as a series of events that take place as the hero travels in quest of a goal

blank verse

poetry written in iambic pentameter, the primary meter used in English poetry and the works of Shakespeare and Milton

bombast

inflated, pretentious language used for trivial subjects

burlesque

a work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation

cacophony

grating, inharmonious sounds

caesura

a pause somewhere in the middle of a verse, often (but not always) marked by punctuation

caricature

a grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things

carpe diem

literally, 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can, a common theme in literature

catharsis

a cleansing of the spirit brought about by the pity and terror of a dramatic tragedy

climax

the high point, or turning point, of a story or play

coming-of-age story

a tale in which a young protagonist experiences an introduction to adulthood

conceit

a witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea, often stated in figurative language

connotation

the suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase

consonance

repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a line of poetry

couplet

a pair of rhyming lines in a poem

denotation

the dictionary definition of a word

denouement

the resolution that occurs at the end of a play or work of fiction

deus ex machina

in literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem

diction

the choice of words in oral and written discourse

dramatic irony

a circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character

elegy

a poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of something or someone of value

ellipsis

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

empathy

a feeling of association or identification with an object or person

end-stopped

a term that describes a line of poetry that ends with a natural pause often indicated by a mark of punctuation

enjambment

in poetry, the use of successive lines with no punctuation or pause between them

epic

an extended narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero that is generally larger than life and is often considered a legendary figure

epigram

a concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement

euphony

pleasing, harmonious sounds

epithet

adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing

euphemism

mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term

exposition

the background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose of a work of literature

explication

the interpretation or analysis of a text

extended metaphor

a series of comparisons between two unlike objects