AP Lit Literary Devices

Question 1

An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction,
syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices; or classification of authors
to a group and comparison of an author to similar authors

Answer 1

Style

Question 2

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule

Answer 2

Satire

Question 3

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language

Answer 3

Invective

Question 4

The variety, conventions, and purposes of the major kinds of
writing (exposition explains and analyzes information; argumentation proves
validity of an idea; description re-creates, invents, or presents a person, place, event or action; narration tells a story or recount an event)

Answer 4

Rhetorical Modes

Question 5

From the Greek “changed label”. the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it (“the White House” for the President)

Answer 5

Metonymy

Question 6

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

Answer 6

Hyperbole

Question 7

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art

Answer 7

Allusion

Question 8

The branch of linguistics which studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development (etymology), their connotations, and their relation to one another

Answer 8

Semantics

Question 9

A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principal

Answer 9

Aphorism

Question 10

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end

Answer 10

Periodic Sentences

Question 11

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love

Answer 11

Apostrophe

Question 12

Words literally state the opposite of the speakers true meaning

Answer 12

Verbal Irony

Question 13

A device used to produce figurative language

Answer 13

Figure of Speech

Question 14

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

Answer 14

Antecedent

Question 15

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish

Answer 15

Pedantic

Question 16

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions

Answer 16

Imagery

Question 17

The perspective from which a story is told (first person, third person omniscient, or third person limited omniscient)

Answer 17

Point of View

Question 18

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes
concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions

Answer 18

Personification

Question 19

One type of subject complement, an adjective, group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb

Answer 19

Predicate Adjective

Question 20

A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa, as in Cleveland won by six runs (meaning “Cleveland’s baseball team”)

Answer 20

Synecdoche

Question 21

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant

Answer 21

Irony

Question 22

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them

Answer 22

Analogy

Question 23

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds or more neighboring words (she sells sea shells)

Answer 23

Alliteration

Question 24

Events turn out the opposite of what was expected

Answer 24

Situational Irony

Question 25

From the Greek for "to tear flesh," involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something

Answer 25

Sarcasm

Question 26

Device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning

Answer 26

Allegory

Question 27

Refers to traditions for each genre

Answer 27

Generic Conventions

Question 28

genre including fiction, nonfiction, written in ordinary language

Answer 28

Prose

Question 29

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented

Answer 29

Infer (Inference)

Question 30

Facts or events are unknown to a character but known to the reader or audience or other characters in work

Answer 30

Dramatic Irony

Question 31

Literally "sermon", or any serious talk, speech, or lecture providing moral or spiritual advice

Answer 31

Homily

Question 32

From the Greek for "orator," the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively

Answer 32

Rhetoric

Question 33

The major category into which a literary work fits (poetry, prose, drama)

Answer 33

Genre

Question 34

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule

Answer 34

Parody

Question 35

Another type of subject complement, a noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject

Answer 35

Predicate Nominative

Question 36

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage

Answer 36

Ambiguity

Question 37

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting

Answer 37

Atmosphere

Question 38

the duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language

Answer 38

Repitition

Question 39

A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else (love and war)

Answer 39

Antithesis

Question 40

The use of a word referring to or replacing a word used earlier in a sentence, to avoid repetition, such as do in I like it and so do they

Answer 40

Anaphora

Question 41

A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

Answer 41

Anecdote

Question 42

A note of explanation or comment added to a text or diagram

Answer 42

Annotation

Question 43

The action or process of reasoning systematically in support of an idea, action, or theory

Answer 43

Arguementation

Question 44

The omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence (I came, I saw, I conquered)

Answer 44

Asyndeton

Question 45

A proverb or short statement expressing a general truth (out of sight out of mind)

Answer 45

Adage

Question 46

An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning (antique vs old vs decrepit)

Answer 46

Connotation

Question 47

Repetition of consonance to rhyme (flesh and flash)

Answer 47

Consonance

Question 48

A picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect (political cartoons)

Answer 48

Caricature

Question 49

A word or phrase that is not formal or literary, typically one used in ordinary or familiar conversation (slang words)

Answer 49

Colloquialisms

Question 50

The action of mentioning a number of things one by one

Answer 50

Enumeration

Question 51

The repetition of a word or words at the end of successive clauses or sentences

Answer 51

Epistrophe

Question 52

The use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose which correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.

Answer 52

Parallelism

Question 53

Derived from the Greek word anachronous, means against time. Therefore _______ is an error of chronology or timeline in a literary piece. Anything out of time and out of place

Answer 53

Anachronism

Question 54

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is

Answer 54

Understatement

Question 55

A method of paragraph or essay development by which a writer explains step by step how something is done or how to do something

Answer 55

Process Analysis

Question 56

A story or statement of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true

Answer 56

Apocryphal

Question 57

Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes

Answer 57

Anathema

Question 58

A statement that is taken to be true, to serve as a premise or starting point for further reasoning and arguments

Answer 58

Axiom

Question 59

A tension or clash resulting from the combination of two disharmonious or unsuitable elements

Answer 59

Dissonance

Question 60

(especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent

Answer 60

Diaphanous

Question 61

Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true

Answer 61

Dogmatic

Question 62

Selecting what appears to be best from various styles, doctrines, or methods

Answer 62

Eclectic

Question 63

The process of analyzing a literary work in order to reveal its meaning

Answer 63

Explication

Question 64

Departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical

Answer 64

Figurative

Question 65

A character or literary figure who actively challenges established beliefs, traditions, or institutions, often by attacking or criticizing widely accepted norms

Answer 65

Iconoclast

Question 66

A figurative language device in which contrasting elements are placed side by side to highlight their differences or create a specific emotional or thematic impact

Answer 66

Juxtaposition

Question 67

exactly what the text says

Answer 67

Literal

Question 68

a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.

Answer 68

Misanthrope

Question 69

stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing

Answer 69

Obdurate

Question 70

notably polite or polished in manner

Answer 70

Urbane

Question 71

language that describes concepts or ideas that are not tangible or concrete

Answer 71

Abstract

Question 72

an argument in which the conclusion is said to follow necessarily from the premise

Answer 72

Deduction

Question 73

a word or phrase used to obliquely describe something unpleasant, impolite, or taboo

Answer 73

Euphemism

Question 74

Focuses attention on the writer's or speaker's trustworthiness

Answer 74

Ethos

Question 75

a work of literature or music written to mourn a loss

Answer 75

Elegy

Question 76

statements that encompass a big idea without addressing the details

Answer 76

Generalization

Question 77

a method of reasoning that moves from specific instances to a general conclusion

Answer 77

Induction

Question 78

A way of pronouncing words that indicates the place of origin or social background of the speaker

Answer 78

Jargon

Question 79

to appeal to the audiences' sense of reason or logic

Answer 79

Logos

Question 80

figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposing meanings

Answer 80

Oxymoron

Question 81

a statement, pair of statements, or even the exploration of an idea that seems contradictory upon first glance

Answer 81

Paradox

Question 82

to persuade an audience by purposely evoking certain emotions to make them feel the way the author wants them to feel

Answer 82

Pathos

Question 83

a question posed not to receive an answer, but to emphasize a point, make a statement, or evoke a reaction from the audience

Answer 83

Rhetorical Question

Question 84

a sentence structure that is exceptionally complex and involved, often with unusual word order or arrangements, making it difficult for the reader to follow

Answer 84

Syntactic Permutation

Question 85

used to link words, phrases, or sentences

Answer 85

Transition / Transition Words

Question 86

ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary (e.g., you won't be sorry, meaning you'll be glad

Answer 86

litotes

Question 87

the repetition of words in successive clauses, but in transposed order; for example, "I know what I like, and I like what I know"

Answer 87

antimetabole