Literary Terms for AP English IV
TERM
DEFINITION
1.
allegory,
allegorical
A more or less symbolic fictional narrative that conveys a secondary meaning (or
meanings) not explicitly set forth in the literal narrative.
2.
alliteration
3.
allusion, allude
The repetition of the same sounds—usually initial consonants of words or of stressed
syllables—in any sequence of neighboring words: ‘Landscape-lover, lord of language’
– Tennyson
In literature, an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, thing, or a part of
another text.
4.
ambiguity,
ambiguous
Use of words that allow alternative interpretations. In factual, explanatory prose, ambiguity is considered an
error in reasoning or diction; in literary prose or poetry, it often functions to increase the richness and subtlety
of language and to imbue it with a complexity that expands the literal meaning of the original statement.
5.
anachronism,
anachronistic
6.
analogy,
analogous
Neglect or falsification, intentional or not, of chronological relation. It is most
frequently found in works of imagination that rest on a historical basis, in which appear
details borrowed from a later age; e.g., a clock in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
A comparison of two different things, which are similar in some way.
7.
anaphora
8.
anecdote,
anecdotal
9.
antecedent
10. antithesis
Repetition of a word or words at the beginning of two or more successive clauses or
verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect. For everything there is a season, and a
time / For every matter under heaven. . . .
A usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident.
That which goes before, especially with the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun
refers. Do not always assume the literal definition; it could simply mean something that
precedes.
A statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced – i.e. “Man proposes, God
disposes.”
11. aphorism,
aphoristic
A concise statement which expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using
rhyme or balance
12. apostrophe
A rhetorical device by which a speaker turns from the audience as a whole to address a single person or thing.
For example, in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Mark Antony addresses the corpse of Caesar in the
speech that begins: “O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,…”
13. archetype,
archetypal
A detail, image, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and myth and is
thought to appeal in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke strong responses.
14. assonance
In prosody, repetition of stressed vowel sounds within words with different end consonants, as in the phrase
"quite like." In this sense, assonance is to be distinguished from regular rhyme, in which initial consonants
differ but both vowel and end-consonant sounds are identical, as in the phrase "quite right." (“I arise from
dreams of thee / In the first sweet sleep of night”)
15. asyndeton
An expression in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions
16. bathos
Insincere or overly sentimental pathos
17. blank verse
unrhymed iambic pentameter
18. cacophony,
cacophonous
Harsh or discordant sound; specifically, harshness in the sound of words or phrases. It is
opposite in meaning from euphony. Also called dissonance.
19. chiasmus
A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally
reversed – i.e. “Flowers are lovely, love is flowerlike”
20. clause
A group of words containing a subject and its verb that may or may not be a complete
sentence.
21. cliché, clichéd
A trite expression or idea.
22. colloquial
Typical of or appropriate to the spoken language, informal, conversational; also
vernacular.
23. conceit
An unusual and surprising comparison between two very different things, which is then
extended throughout the length of the piece of literature.
24. concrete poetry
Poetry in which the poet's intent is conveyed by graphic patterns of letters, words, or
symbols rather than by the meaning of words in conventional arrangement.
25. connotation,
connotes
An association that a word calls to mind in addition to its dictionary meaning
26. consonance
Recurrence or repetition of identical or similar consonants; specifically, the correspondence of end or
intermediate consonants unaccompanied by like correspondence of vowels at the ends of two or more
syllables, words, or other units of composition. "The curfew tolls the knell of parting day"
27. convention
A practice or procedure widely observed in a group.
28. denotation,
denotes
A word’s objective meaning, that to which the word refers, independent of other
associations that the word calls to mind.
29. diction
Choice of words, especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. Any of the four generally
accepted levels of diction--formal, informal, colloquial, or slang--may be correct in a particular context but
incorrect in another or when mixed unintentionally. Most ideas have a number of alternate words that the
writer can select to suit a particular purpose. "Children," "kids," "youngsters," "youths," and "brats," for
example, all have different evocative values.
Also called didactical. Of literature or other art, intended to convey instruction and information. The word is
often used to refer to texts that are overburdened with instructive or factual matter to the exclusion of graceful
and pleasing detail so that they are pompously dull and erudite.
30. didactic
31. digression
Straying from the main subject.
32. elegy, elegiac
A song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation, especially for one who is dead.
33. ellipsis
The omission of one or more words that are understood but that must be supplied to
make a construction semantically complete, as in "No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was
meant to be" from T.S. Eliot's poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."
In poetry , marked by a grammatical pause at the end of a line, as in these lines from
Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism: A little learning is a dangerous thing; /
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
The continuation of the sense and grammatical constructions of a line on to the next
verse or couplet.
34. end-stopped
35. enjambment,
enjambed
36. epigram,
epigramic
A short poem treating concisely, pointedly, and often satirically a single thought or event and often ending
with a witticism or ingenious turn of thought. By extension the term is also applied to a terse, sage, or witty,
often paradoxical saying, usually in the form of a generalization. -- What is an epigram? a dwarfish whole,
Its body brevity, and wit its soul. –Samuel Taylor Coleridge
37. epigraph
A quotation that appears at the beginning of a literary work that introduces a motif or
theme that is developed in the work itself.
38. Epiphany,
epiphanal
A moment of sudden revelation
39. euphemism,
euphemistic
A figure of speech using indirection to avoid offensive bluntness.
40. euphony,
euphonious
Pleasing, harmonious, or sweet sound, the acoustic effect produced by words so formed
and combined as to please the ear.
41. figurative
language
Of language or writing, characterized by figures of speech (such as metaphor and
simile) or elaborate expression, as opposed to literal language.
42. figure of speech
A form of expression used to convey meaning or heighten effect, often by comparing or
identifying one thing with another that has a meaning or connotation familiar to the
reader or listener.
A section of a literary work that interrupts the sequence of events to relate an event from
an earlier time.
43. flashback
44. foil, foils
45. Foot, feet
46. free verse
47. gerund
Literally, a “leaf” of bright metal placed under a jewel to increase its brilliance. The term is applied to any
character who through contrast underscores the distinctive characteristics of another. Thus, Laertes,
Fortinbras, and the Players—all of whom are willing and able to take action with less reason than Hamlet
has—serve as foils to Hamlet.
In poetry , the basic unit of verse meter consisting of any of various fixed combinations or groups of stressed
and unstressed or long and short syllables. iamb, an unstressed followed by a stressed syllable re | port;
trochee, a stressed followed by an unstressed syllable, dai | ly; anapest, two unstressed syllables followed by a
stressed syllable, ser | e | nade; dactyl, a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables, mer | ri | ly.
Poetry organized to the cadences of speech and image patterns rather than according to
a regular metrical scheme. Its rhythms are based on patterned elements such as sounds,
words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs, rather than on the traditional prosodic units
of
feet per
Themetrical
“ing” form
of aline.
verb, i.e. running
48. grotesque
A decorative style in which animal, human, and vegetative forms are interwoven and
deformed to the point of absurdity.
49. heroic couplet
A couplet of rhyming iambic pentameters often forming a distinct rhetorical as well as
metrical unit. Then share thy pain, allow that sad relief; / Ah, more than share it, give
me all thy grief.
A figure of speech that is an intentional exaggeration for emphasis or comic effect
50. hyperbole,
hyperbolic
51. imagery, image,
imagistic
Representation of objects, feelings, or ideas, either literally or through the use of figurative language;
specifically, the often peculiarly individual concrete or figurative diction used by a writer in those portions of
text where a particular effect (such as a special emotional appeal or a train of intellectual associations) is
desired.
52. imperative
The mood of a verb that gives an order. “Eat your vegetables” uses an imperative verb.
53. inference, infer
Deriving a conclusion from facts or circumstances
54. irony, ironic
The use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the
literal meaning (as when expressions of praise are used where blame is meant).
55. jargon
The special language of a profession or group. The term jargon usually has pejorative associations, with the
implication that jargon is evasive, tedious, and unintelligible to outsiders. The writings of the lawyer and the
literary critic are both susceptible to jargon.
56. Juxtaposition,
juxtapose
To place side by side, especially for contrast and comparison.
57. litotes
A figure of speech by which conscious understatement is used to create emphasis by
negation; examples are the expressions "not bad!" and "no mean feat."
58. malapropism
A mistaken substitution of one word for another, which sounds similar (The doctor
wrote a subscription.)
59. metaphor
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase denoting one kind of object or action is used in place of another
to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in the ship plows the seas or in a volley of oaths). A
metaphor is an implied comparison (as in a marble brow) in contrast to the explicit comparison of the simile
(as in a brow white as marble).
60. meter
Systematically arranged and measured rhythm in verse
61. metonymy,
metonymic
Figure of speech that consists of using the name of one thing for something else with
which it is associated (as in "I spent the evening reading Shakespeare" or "lands
belonging to the crown" or "demanding action by city hall").
One syllable
62. monosyllabic,
monosyllable
63. narrative
techniques
64. onomatopoeia,
onomatopoeic
The methods involved in telling a story; the procedures used by a writer of stories or
accounts. Examples of the techniques would be point of view, manipulation of time, or
interior monologue.
The naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it
(such as buzz or hiss). The use of words whose sound suggests the sense.
65. oxymoron,
oxymoronic
A word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass.
66. paradox,
paradoxical
A tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion. An apparently self-contradictory statement, the underlying
meaning of which is revealed only by careful scrutiny. The purpose of a paradox is to arrest attention and
provoke fresh thought. The statement "Less is more" is an example.
67. parallel
structure
in meaning: " a component of literary style in both prose and poetry, in which coordinate ideas are arranged in
phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that balance one element with another of equal importance and similar
wording. The repetition of sounds, meanings, and structures serves to order, emphasize, and point out
relations. In its simplest form parallelism may consist of a pair of single words that are synonymous or have a
slight variation ordain and establish" or "overtake and surpass." Another variety contains three or more
parallel units as in "Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man"
68. parody
A literary work in which the style of an author is closely imitated for comic effect or in
ridicule.
69. pathos
An element in artistic representation evoking pity or compassion.
70. persona
In literature, the person who is understood to be speaking (or thinking or writing) a particular work. The
persona is almost invariably distinct from the author; it is the voice chosen by the author for a particular
artistic purpose. The persona may be a character in the work in question or merely an unnamed narrator, but,
insofar as the manner and style of expression in the work exhibit taste, prejudice, emotion, or other
characteristics of a human personality, the work may be said to be in the voice of a persona
71. personification
Figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed to an abstract quality,
animal, or inanimate object.
72. point of view
The perspective from which a story is presented to the reader. The three main points of
view are first person, third person singular, and third person omniscient.
73. Polysyllabic,
polysyllable
More than one syllable
74. polysyndeton
The use of more conjunctions than is necessary or natural for rhetorical effect
75. pun
A humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest different meanings or
applications, or a play on words
76. reverie
Abstracted musing, daydreaming
77. rhetoric
The art of speaking or writing effectively; the study of writing or speaking as a means of
communication or persuasion; skill in the effective use of speech; a type or mode of language or
speech; insincere or grandiloquent language
78. rhetorical
question
A question to which no answer is expected.
79. rhetorical
strategy
The management of language for a specific effect.
80. rhetorical
techniques
The devices used in effective or persuasive language. The most common examples are
contrast, repetitions, paradox, understatement, sarcasm, and rhetorical question.
81. rhyme
Identity of terminal sound between accented syllables, usually occupying corresponding positions
in two or more lines of verse. There are many different types of rhyme. Some are: end rhyme,
internal rhyme, beginning rhyme, masculine rhyme, feminine rhyme, slant rhyme, etc.
82. rhyme scheme
The pattern in which rhyme sounds occur in a stanza.
83. satire, satiric,
satirical
A usually topical literary composition holding up human or individual vices, folly,
abuses, or shortcomings to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, or
other methods, sometimes with an intent to bring about improvement.
The background to a story; the physical location of a play, story, or novel.
84. setting
85. simile
Figure of speech involving a comparison between two unlike entities. In the simile,
unlike the metaphor, the resemblance is explicitly indicated by the words "like" or "as."
86. sonnet
A fixed verse form of Italian origin consisting of 14 lines that are typically five-foot
iambs rhyming according to a prescribed scheme
87. speaker
The imaginary voice assumed by the writer of a poem.
88. stanza
A division of a poem consisting of two or more lines arranged together as a unit. More
specifically, a stanza usually is a group of lines arranged together in a recurring pattern
of metrical lengths and a sequence of rhymes.
Narrative technique in non-dramatic fiction intended to render the flow of myriad
impressions--visual, auditory, physical, associative, and subliminal--that together with
rational thought impinge on the consciousness of an individual.
89. stream of
consciousness
90. structure
The arrangement of materials within a work; the relationship of the parts of a work to
the whole; the logical divisions of a work.
91. style
The mode of expression of language; the characteristic manner of expression of an
author.
92. syllogism
Deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
Also deduction
93. symbol
Something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or
accidental resemblance; especially, a visible sign of something invisible (for example, the lion is a symbol of
courage and the cross is a symbol of Christianity).
94. synesthesia
Describing one kind of sensation in terms of another (“a loud color,” “a sweet sound”)
95. synecdoche,
97. theme, thematic
Figure of speech in which a part represents the whole, as in the expression "hired hands"
for workmen or, less commonly, the whole represents a part, as in the use of the word
"society" to mean high society
wholeofrepresents
as in the useofofwords
the word
high of
The 82.
structure
a sentence;a part,
the arrangement
in a "society"
sentence. toAmean
discussion
society.
syntax could
include length or brevity of a sentence and kinds of sentences, like
questions, exclamations, declarative, rhetorical, etc.
The dominant idea of a work of literature.
98. tone
The attitude of the author towards his or her work and or audience.
99. understatement
To represent as less than is the case. To state or present with restraint, especially for
effect.
100. zeugma
From the Greek verb “yoke,” a figure of speech in which one word governs (yokes) a
series of succeeding words or phrases. Example from Shakespeare: “Give them thy
fingers, me thy lips to kiss.” The verb “give” governs the two phrases that follow.
96. syntax,
syntactic
Assignment:
 Illustrate your assigned literary term for the class.
 Illustration should be on construction paper or poster 8 ½” x 11”
 If necessary, use glue NOT tape
 Be prepared to present to the class on August 19 or 20, 2014
Text




to Include:
Term
Pronunciation
Part of Speech
Can include an interesting way to remember the term (but no definitions)
Illustrations:
 Try to illustrate at least the primary meaning of the term
 You may use original artwork, clipart, photos, or magazine clippings
 Be creative – do not merely Google something and print the illustration
already accompanying it. Have some fun and stretch your literary
vocabulary at the same time.