AP Literary Devices and Terms

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Allegory

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The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. Usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.

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Alliteration

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The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants in two or more neighboring words (i.e. she sells seashells).

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Allusion

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A direct or indirect reference to something that is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.

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Ambiguity

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The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

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Analogy

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A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

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Anaphora

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One of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression (word or words) is repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences.

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Anecdote

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A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event. The term most frequently refers to an incident in the life of a person.

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Antecedent

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The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

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Antithesis

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Figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure; a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences.

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Aphorism

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A terse statement of known authorship that expresses a general truth or a moral principle. Can be a memorable summation of the author's point.