Terms from Past AP Lit Poetry and Prose Essay Prompts

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Diction

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The style of speaking or writing determined by the choice of words by a writer.

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Convey

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To make an idea, impression, or feeling known or understandable to someone.

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Form

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The physical structure of the poem--the length of the lines, their rhythms, their system of rhymes and repetition.

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Mood

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The overall feeling for the audience an author creates in his or her writing--also known as atmosphere.

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Structure

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The overall organization of lines and/or the conventional patterns of sound.

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Tone

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The author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience, conveyed through word choice and style.

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Imagery

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Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

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Syntax

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

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Theme

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The central idea or message that a literary work conveys.

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Symbolism

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The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities in literature.