AP Literature Vocabulary
Terms
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- syntax
- the structure of a sentence
- alliteration
- the repetition of the same letter at the beginnings of words
- oxymoron
- a combination of opposites; the union of contradictory terms
- onomatopoeia
- the use of words whose sound suggest their meaning
- apostrophe
- direct address, usually to someone or something that is not present
- iamb
- a two syllable foot with an unaccented followed by an accented
- periodic sentence
- a sentence grammatically complete only at the end
- asyndeton
- connectives are omitted between words, phrases, or clauses
- metaphor
- implied comparison, without like or as
- cacophony
- the joining of harsh sounds
- allegory
- a story in which people, things, and events have another meaning
- consonance
- repetition of two or more consonant sounds within a line
- foot
- the basic unit used in the scansion of version
- anapest
- a metrical foot consisting of two unaccented syllables, followed by one accented
- synechdoche
- the use of a part for the whole
- euphony
- the use of compatible, harmonious sounds to produce a pleasing, melodious effect
- antithesis
- opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction
- denotation
- the dictionary meaning of a word, as opposed to connotation
- free verse
- poetry not written in traditional meter; no fixed metrical pattern
- anaphora
- the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines
- connotation
- the implications of a word or phrase as opposed to its exact meaning
- anadiplosis
- the repetition of one or several words; specifically, repetition of a word that ends one clause at the beginning of the next
- hyperbole
- deliberate exaggeration; overstatement
- blank verse
- unrhymed iambic pentameter
- dactyl
- a metrical foot of three syllables, an accented followed by two unaccented
- paradox
- a statement that seems to be self-contradicting, but, in fact, is true
- antistrophe
- repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses
- polysyndeton
- connectives are always supplied between words and phrases, or clauses
- metonymy
- a substitution of one word for another which it suggests
- feminine rhyme
- rhyme in which two consecutive syllables of the rhyming words correspond, the first syllable carrying the accent; double rhyme
- epic
- a long, dignified narrative poem which gives the account of a hero important to his nation or race
- masculine rhyme
- rhyme in which only the last, accented syllable of the rhyming words correspond exactly in sound; most common rhyme
- dramatic monologue
- a lyric poem in which the speaker tells an audience about a dramatic moment in his life and, in doing so, reveals his character
- trochee
- a metrical foot consisting of one accented syllable followed by one unaccented syllable
- allusion
- a reference to a person, a place, an event, or another work of literature
- anastrophe
- transposition of normal word order
- internal rhyme
- rhyme that occurs within a line rather than at the end
- grotesque
- characterized by distortions or incongruities
- half rhyme
- slant rhyme, approximate rhyme
- assonance
- the repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds
- lyrical
- songlike; characterized by emotion, imagination
- aposiopesis
- a form of ellipse by which speaker comes to an abrupt halt, seemingly overcome by passion or modesty
- didactic
- explicitly instructive, "teachy"