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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.

Terms : Hide Images
9716548604Allegorysymbolic fictional narrative that conveys a second meaning not explicit in the narrative (Animal Farm-> Russian Revolution)0
9716548605Alliterationbeginning several consecutive or neighboring words with the same consonant sound (I saw a bee busy among the sweet bilberries)1
9716548606Allusionreference to a historical, biblical, mythological, or literary event, place, person, thing or idea (He has the patience of Job)2
9716548607Anachronismassignment of something to a time when it was not in existence (Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court)3
9716548608Analogycomparison 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
9716548609Anecdoteshort entertaining story usually personal or biographical5
9716548610Antithesisstrongly contrasting words, clauses, sentences, or ideas (It was the best of times, it was the worst of times)6
9716548611Aphorismbrief statement of truth or principle given ( A penny saved is a penny earned)7
9716548612Apostrophestatement addressing an absent person or abstract quality as though present (Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him)8
9716548613Assonancethe repetition of vowel sounds in a series of words9
9716548614CatharsisMoral 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
9716548615Consonancethe repetition of consonant sound within or at end of a series of words11
9716548616Epigramshort, witty poem expressing a single observation12
9716548617Epiphanysudden understanding or realization which prior to this was to thought of or understood13
9716548618Epilogueclosing section added to the end of a novel, play, etc., providing further comment , interpretation, or information14
9716548619Ethosqualities and language in a work that builds trust or credibility in the author or speaker15
9716548620Euphemismsubstituting a mild/non-offensive word or expression for one whose meaning might be harsh or unpleasant (extensive burns vs. charred flesh)16
9716548621Farcehumorous play based on improbably situations, gross incongruities, coarse wit, or horseplay rather than plot and character17
9716548622Hyperboledeliberate & outrageous exaggeration; serious or comedic (shot heard round the world)18
9716548623Ironywords say one thing but mean another19
9716548624Antiphrasis 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
9716548625Dramatic 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
9716548626Situational Ironyevent occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the character, of the reader, or of the audience22
9716548627Sarcastic Ironycaustic and bitter expression of strong disapproval. It is personal, jeering, intended to hurt23
9716548628Verbal IronyWords literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning. (I couldn't care less.)24
9716548629Juxtapositionplacing two or more things close together or side by side for comparison or contrast25
9716548630Litotesunderstatement 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
9716548631Logoslanguage that appeals to the reader's sense of logic27
9716548632Metaphora comparison of two unlike things not using 'like' or 'as' (time is money)28
9716548633Metonymysubstitution of one word for another which it suggests (man of the cloth vs. priest)29
9716548634Onomatopoeiathe use of words that mimic the sounds they describe (hiss, buzz, boom)30
9716548635Oxymoroncombines a pair of opposite terms into a single unusual expression (jumbo shrimp)31
9716548636Paradoxcontradictory statement which has some truth in it (less is more)32
9716548637Parablea short, simple, illustrative story used to teach a moral or religious lesson33
9716548638PathosQuality in a literary work that arouses feelings of pity, sorrow, or compassion in the reader or audience34
9716548639Personificationgives inanimate objects or inanimate ideas human characteristics (wind cried in the dark)35
9716548640Prologuean introduction to a poem, play, novel, etc.36
9716548641Punplay on words that are either identical or similar in sound but have sharply diverse meaning37
9716548642Satirea work that attacks human folly or a societal problem with humor and wit38
9716548643Similea comparison of two different things or ideas using the words 'like' or 'as'39
9716548644Symbolismobject, person, place, action, that has a meaning but also stands for something larger such as a quality, attitude, belief, or value40
9716548645Synecdochea part of something represents the whole also the whole can represent a part (all hands on deck)41
9716548646Synesthesiadescription of one sense by words generally used to describe another (hungry eyes, blind mouths)42

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