AP English Literary Terms

Terms in this set (28)

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words

a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification

a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary

Characterization

the creation or construction of a fictional character

a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one

the literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests

the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing

a scene in a movie, novel, etc., set in a time earlier than the main story

be a warning or indication of (a future event)

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

literary element that evokes certain feelings or vibes in readers through words and descriptions

a person who narrates something, especially a character who recounts the events of a novel or narrative poem

the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named

Personification

the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form

angle of considering things, which shows us the opinion, or feelings of the individuals involved in a situation

the leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text

the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place

figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid

an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play

a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing

use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense

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

the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person's thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic

the general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc

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