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AP Language- Literary Techniques Flashcards

Literary techniques refers to any specific, deliberate constructions or choices of language which an author uses to convey meaning in a particular way. This usually happens with a single word or phrase or particular group of words or phrases at one single point in the text. They are NOT necessarily present in EVERY text, rather they represent deliberate, conscious choices by individual authors.

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7478843507Allegorysymbolic fictional narrative that conveys a second meaning not explicit in the narrative (Animal Farm-> Russian Revolution)0
7478861631Alliterationbeginning several consecutive or neighboring words with the same consonant sound (I saw a bee busy among the sweet bilberries)1
7478869181Allusionreference to a historical, biblical, mythological, or literary event, place, person, thing or idea (He has the patience of Job)2
7478874752Anachronismassignment of something to a time when it was not in existence (Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court)3
7478874753Analogycomparison between something familiar and something unfamiliar for the purpose of illuminating or dramatizing the unfamiliar (detailed description of how nuclear fission is like opening a break in a pool)4
7478876846Anecdoteshort entertaining story usually personal or biographical5
7478876847Antithesisstrongly contrasting words, clauses, sentences, or ideas (It was the best of times, it was the worst of times)6
7478878396Aphorismbrief statement of truth or principle given ( A penny saved is a penny earned)7
7478878397Apostrophestatement addressing an absent person or abstract quality as though present (Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him)8
7478898572Assonancethe repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words9
7478898573CatharsisMoral and spiritual cleansing; an empathic identification with others. Dark or Black Humor- Use of the morbid or absurd for darkly comic purposes (Catch 22 by Joseph Heller)10
7478901484Consonancethe repetition of consonant sound within or at end of a series of words11
7478903094Epigramshort, witty poem expressing a single observation12
7478904338Epiphanysudden understanding or realization which prior to this was to thought of or understood13
7478904339Epilogueclosing section added to the end of a novel, play, etc., providing further comment , interpretation, or information14
7478905981Ethosqualities and language in a work that builds trust or credibility in the author or speaker15
7478907368Euphemismsubstituting a mild/non-offensive word or expression for one whose meaning might be harsh or unpleasant (extensive burns vs. charred flesh)16
7478908934Farcehumorous play based on improbably situations, gross incongruities, coarse wit, or horseplay rather than plot and character17
7478908935Hyperboledeliberate & outrageous exaggeration; serious or comedic (shot heard round the world)18
7478908936Ironywords say one thing but mean another19
7478913699Antiphrasis Ironysatirical of humorous use of a word or phrase to convey an idea exactly opposite to its real significance (Calling Caesar's murderers "honorable men" - Shakespeare's Julius Caesar)20
7478915008Dramatic Ironyfacts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audiences, or other characters in the work21
7478920789Situational Ironyevent occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the character, of the reader, or of the audience22
7478922543Sarcastic Ironycaustic and bitter expression of strong disapproval. It is personal, jeering, intended to hurt23
7478929564Verbal IronyWords literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning. (I couldn't care less.)24
7478929565Juxtapositionplacing two or more things close together or side by side for comparison or contrast25
7478931585Litotesunderstatement in which a thing is affirmed by stating the negative of its opposite (not least for great; not to fail for succeed; not bad or good)26
7478933356Logoslanguage that appeals to the reader's sense of logic27
7478934832Metaphora comparison of two unlike things not using 'like' or 'as' (time is money)28
7478937765Metonymysubstitution of one word for another which it suggests (man of the cloth vs. priest)29
7478938998Onomatopoeiathe use of words that mimic the sounds they describe (hiss, buzz, boom)30
7478940422Oxymoroncombines a pair of opposite terms into a single unusual expression (jumbo shrimp)31
7478940423Paradoxcontradictory statement which has some truth in it (less is more)32
7478941855Parablea short, simple, illustrative story used to teach a moral or religious lesson33
7478941856PathosQuality in a literary work that arouses feelings of pity, sorrow, or compassion in the reader or audience34
7478943037Personificationgives inanimate objects or inanimate ideas human characteristics (wind cried in the dark)35
7478943038Prologuean introduction to a poem, play, novel, etc.36
7478944537Punplay on words that are either identical or similar in sound but have sharply diverse meaning37
7478944538Satirea work that attacks human folly or a societal problem with humor and wit38
7478944539Similea comparison of two different things or ideas using the words 'like' or 'as'39
7478945799Symbolismobject, person, place, action, that has a meaning but also stands for something larger such as a quality, attitude, belief, or value40
7482406567Synecdochea part of something represents the whole also the whole can represent a part (all hands on deck)41
7482412121Synesthesiadescription of one sense by words generally used to describe another (hungry eyes, blind mouths)42

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