Ap Language Literary Terms 1

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Extended Metaphor

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A metaphor developed at length, occurring frequently or throughout.

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Figurative Language

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Vivid writing or language not intended to carry a literal meaning.

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Figure of Speech

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Device used to produce figurative language.

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Generic Conventions

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Describe traditions for each genre.

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Genre

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Major category into which a literary work fits. Prose, poetry, drama

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Homily

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Literally "sermon", can be any serious talk, speech, or lecture

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Hyperbole

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Figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Opposite is understatement

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Imagery

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Sensory details of figurative language used to describe, arouse emotions, or represent abstractions on a physical level.

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Inference

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Drawing reasonable conclusions from the information presented. NOT DIRECTLY STATED.

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Invecture

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Emotionally violent, vernal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

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Irony

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Contrast between what is said explicitly and what is really meant. Often used to create poignancy or humor. 3 Types

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verbal irony

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when the words literally state the opposite of the writer’s (or speaker’s) meaning

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situational irony

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when events turn out the opposite of what was expected; when what the characters andreaders think ought to happen is not what does happen

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dramatic irony

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when facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known tothe reader, audience, or other characters in the work.

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Litotes

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a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying itsopposite. Opposite of hyperbole

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loose sentence/non-periodic sentence

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A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed bydependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause,the clause would be a complete sentence. Often seems informal, relaxed, orconversational. Generally create loose style. Opposite is periodic sentence.

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Metaphor

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A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other,suggesting some similarity. Makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, andmeaningful.

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Metonymy

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A term from the Greek meaning “changed label” or “substitute name,” a figure of speechin which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. Thesubstituted term generally carries a more potent emotional impact.

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Mood

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The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the it. Similarto tone and atmosphere.

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Narrative

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The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.

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Oxymoron

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From the Greek for “pointedly foolish,” a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparentlycontradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

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Paradox

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A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection containssome degree of truth or validity.

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Parallelism

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Also referred to as __________ construction or ___________ structure, this term comes from Greek roots meaning “beside oneanother.” It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structuralsimilarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbalphrase. The effects are numerous, but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract thereader’s attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm.

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Anaphora

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A sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive linesor sentences.

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Parody

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A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. Itexploits peculiarities of an author’s expression (propensity to use too many parentheses, certain favorite words, etc.)Well-written ones offer enlightenment about the original, but poorly written ones offer only ineffectual imitation.Usually an audience must grasp literary allusion and understand the other work in order to fully appreciate thenuances of the newer work.

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Satire

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A work that targets human vices and follies, or social institutions and conventions, for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform humans or their society, it is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. It can be recognized by the many devices used effectively by the author, such as irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm. The effects of are varied, depending on the writer's goal, but good examples--often humorous--are thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.

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Pedantic

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An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (language thatmight be described as “show-offy”; using big words for the sake of using big words).

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Periodic Sentence

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The opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. Thisindependent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect is to addemphasis and structural variety. It is also a much stronger sentence than the loose sentence.

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Personification

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A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects byendowing them with human attributes or emotions. Used to make these abstractions, animals, or objectsappear more vivid to the reader.

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Point of View

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In literature, the perspective from which a story is told. There are two general divisions , andmany subdivisions within those. Also carries the meaning of addressing the author's attitude.

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First Person Narrator

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tells the story with the first person pronoun, “I,” and is a character in the story. This can be the protagonist, a secondary character, or an observing character.

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Third Person Narrator

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relates the events with the third person pronouns, “he,” “she,” and “it.” There are two mainsubdivisions to be aware of:

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Third Person Omniscient

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the narrator, with godlike knowledge, presents the thoughts and actions ofany or all characters

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Third Person Limited Omniscient

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the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only onecharacter, presenting only the actions of all the remaining characters.

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Prose

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one of the major divisions of genre, refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. Printer determines the length of the line.

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Repetition

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the duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern. When poorly done, it bores, but when it's well done, it links and emphasizes ideas while allowing the reader the comfort of recognizing something familiar.

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Rhetoric

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from the Greek word for "orator", this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

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Rhetorical Modes

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This flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing.

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Exposition

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Rhetorical mode to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.

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Argumentation

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Rhetorical mode to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader. Persuasive writing is a type of it having the additional aim of urging some form of action.

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Description

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Rhetorical mode to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture that being described. may be straightforward and objective or highly emotional and subjunctive.

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Narration

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Rhetorical mode to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events.

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Sarcasm

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from the Greek meaning "to tear flesh," involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device, but not all ironic statements are considered ___________, that is, intending to ridicule. When well done, it can be witty and insightful; when poorly done, it's simply cruel.

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Rhetorical Question

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A question that is asked merely for effect and does not expect a reply. The answer is assumed

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Predicate Nominative

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Noun, or group of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject. Follows linking verb and is the predicate of the sentence.

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Predicate Adjective

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Adjective that describes the subject and follows a linking verb.