AP Literature Lit. Terms

Anaphora

• The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses.

• The use of a word to refer to another word earlier in the sentence.

• A figure of speech that involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.

• The use of contrasting concepts in a balanced manner.

Allusion

• A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.

• A detailed description of a character in a story.

• A type of metaphor that compares two unlike things directly.

• A narrative technique that involves a flashback.

Theme

• A recurring symbol or motif in a literary work.

• The central idea or underlying message in a literary work, often reflecting on human experience.

• A character's journey or transformation throughout the story.

• The time and place in which a story occurs.

Euphony

• Pleasant, harmonious sounds created by the use of soft consonants (m, n, l, r, f, v, s, w) in words.

• A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.

• A type of poetry that focuses on rhythm and meter.

• The use of exaggerated language for effect.

Cacophony

• A pleasant and harmonious sound

• A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds, often used to convey chaos or disorder.

• A soft and soothing melody

• A rhythmic and repetitive beat

Allegory

• A type of poetry that expresses personal feelings

• A narrative in which characters and events symbolize broader themes and concepts, often conveying moral or political messages.

• A historical account of events in chronological order

• A fictional story that is purely for entertainment purposes.

Metonymy

• A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted with another with which it is closely associated.

• A type of metaphor that compares two unlike things directly.

• A rhetorical device that exaggerates for emphasis or effect.

• A form of irony where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning.

Simile

• A figure of speech that compares two unlike objects using 'like' or 'as'.

• A type of metaphor that uses direct comparison.

• A phrase that describes something in a literal sense.

• An expression that exaggerates for emphasis.

Hyperbole

• An exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect.

• A statement that is completely factual and straightforward.

• A type of metaphor that compares two unlike things directly.

• A rhetorical device that uses understatement for effect.

Consonance

• The repetition of vowel sounds in the middle or at the end of words, creating a harmonious effect.

• The repetition of consonant sounds in the middle or at the end of words, creating a harmonious effect.

• The use of similar sounding words to create a rhyme scheme.

• The arrangement of words to create a specific rhythm.