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AP COMP
literary terms
75
English
12th Grade
04/13/2008

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Term
alliteration
Definition
the reoccurrence of initial consonant sounds
Term
allusion
Definition
references to literature, history, mythology or the Bible 
Term
analogy
Definition
compares two things, which are alike in several aspects, for the purpose of explaining or clarifying some unfamiliar idea or object by showing how the two things are similar
Term
antithesis
Definition
figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed
Term
aphorism
Definition
a brief saying embodying a moral, a concise statement of a principle or precept given in pointed words
Term
apostrophe
Definition
addressing an absent character or object directly, when they are not around or cannot comprehend
Term
assonance
Definition
repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words
Term
colloquialism
Definition
informal or regional speech
Term
conceit
Definition
a figure of speech which makes an unusual and sometimes elaborately sustained comparison between two dissimilar things
Term
connotation
Definition
meaning of a word that suggests beyond its literal, explicit meaning, carrying emotional associations, judgments, or opinions
Term
consonance
Definition
the repetition of consonant sounds for effect
Term
denotation
Definition
dictionary meaning of the word, with no particular emotional associations
Term
diction
Definition
word choice
Term
dissonance
Definition
the grating of incompatible sounds
Term
euphemism
Definition
words consciously chosen for their pleasant connotation often used for subjects like sex or death whose frank discussions are somewhat taboo in our society
Term
figurative language
Definition
uses "figures of speech" - a way of saying something other than the literal meaning of the words
Term
foreshadowing
Definition
giving hints or clues about what is to come later in the story
Term
hyperbole
Definition
intentional overstatement; deliberate exaggeration, often done to provide emphasis or humor
Term
imagery
Definition
 the use of words to create a picture in the reader’s mind
Term
in media res
Definition
beginning in the middle of the action to catch a reader’s attention
Term
inversion
Definition
switching the customary order of elements in a sentence or phrase for effect
Term

irony

Definition
a mode of expression, through words or events, conveying a reality different from and usually opposite to appearances or expectations
Term
loose sentence
Definition
a long sentence with the main point at the beginning
Term
metaphor/simile
Definition
a comparison between two unlike things; simile- a comparison between two unlike things using the words like or as
Term
metonymy
Definition
one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated
Term
onomatopoeia
Definition
words whose sounds resembles what it describes
Term
oxymoron
Definition
a phrase combining two seemingly opposite or incompatible elements
Term
paradox
Definition
a statement that is true even though it seems to be saying two opposite things
Term
parallelism
Definition
repeating similar grammatical structures, words, phrases, or sentences to give writing rhythm
Term
periodic sentence
Definition
a long sentence with the main point at the end
Term
persona
Definition
narrator or speaker of a poem or story
Term
personification
Definition
giving non-human objects human characteristics
Term
point of view
Definition
perspective from which the story is told
Term
synecdoche
Definition
a part of an object or process is used to represent the whole
Term
syntax
Definition
the way words in a sentence are arranged
Term
theme
Definition
central or dominant idea in a piece of literature
Term
tone
Definition
overall feeling, or effect in a work created by a writer’s use of words
Term
Verbal Irony
Definition
Saying one thing and meaning another
Term
Situational  Irony
Definition
When the audience knows something that the character(s) does not
Term

Dramatic Irony

Definition
When something happens that is the opposite of what you had expected to happen
Term
epigram
Definition
A pithy saying, often using contrast. The epigram is also a verse form, usually brief and pointed.
Term
parable
Definition
A story designed to suggest a principle, illustrate a moral, or answer a question. Parables are allegorical stories.
Term
parody
Definition
A composition that imitates the style of another composition normally for comic effect. Fielding's Shamela is a parody of Richardson's Pamela. A contest for parodies of Hemingway draws hundreds of entries each year.
Term
stereotype
Definition
A conventional pattern, expression, character, or idea. In literature, a stereotype could apply to the unvarying plot and characters of some works of fiction (those of Barbara Cartland, for example) or to the stock characters and plots of many of the greatest stage comedies.
Term
 anaphora
Definition
repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses.
Term
rhetoric
Definition
from the greek for "orator," this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively
Term
anecdote
Definition
a short tale narrating an interesting or amusing biographical incident
Term
allegory
Definition
representation conveying a meaning other than the literal
Term
exposition
Definition
The part of a play that provides the background information needed to understand the characters and the action
Term
motif
Definition
a usually recurring salient thematic element, a dominant idea or central theme
Term
sarcasm
Definition
a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark
Term
description
Definition
Concerned with classification or description
Term
autobiographical
Definition

marked by or dealing with one's own experiences or life history; of or in the manner of an

autobiography.

Term
biographical
Definition
of or pertaining to a person's life
Term

essay

Definition
 short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic,

speculative, or interpretative

Term
Archetype
Definition

an image, story pattern, or character type that frequently recurs and evokes strong,though often unconscious,    feelings

Term
Hubris
Definition
Excessive pride; arrogance
Term
Invective
Definition
An abusive, denunciatory expression
Term
Stream of Conciousness
Definition

narrative that presents the private thoughts of a character without commentary or interpretation by the author

Term
Style
Definition
individual traits or characteristics of a piece of writing. a writer's particular way of managing words
Term
cacophony
Definition
the use of harsh or discordant sounds in literary composition as for poetic effect
Term
cliche
Definition
overused phrase
Term
coherence
Definition
logical orderly and consistant relation of parts ex yellow wallpaper
Term
Caricature
Definition
is a picture or an imitation of a person's features or mannerisms exaggerated to appear comic or absurd
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