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AP Literature Figurative Language Devices October Flashcards

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5227598233SymbolismThe use of a concrete object to suggest something else, often an idea but could be a character or event.0
5227598235PersonificationGiving humanlike characteristics to something other than a person.1
5227598237MetaphorA comparison of 2 unlike things.2
5227598238ConceitAn extended metaphor comparison.3
5227598239SimileComparison of 2 unlike things using like, as, just so, and than.4
5227598241HyperboleTremendous exaggeration.5
5227598242AllegoryA literary device in which a character, object, or event represents a moral, religious, or even a political principle (like goodness, faith, hope, trust, or communism).6
5227598243AllusionDescribing something by referring to a famous story. Types of Allusion: Biblical, mythical, historical, literary, political, or current pop culture.7
5227598244ApostropheA direct address; Often to an inanimate object or to a person dead or not present.8
5227598245EpigramA witty saying that employs contrast.9
5227598246OxymoronCombination of opposite terms in a description that actually are both true in the given situation.10
5227598247ParableAllegorical story to illustrate a moral.11
5227598248ParodyA work imitating the style of another comedic effect.12
5227598249AphorismA concise epigrammatic statement meant to reveal the truth or principle. These become like proverbs when they are widely popular but with an unknown origin.13
5227598250ArchetypeThe original model from which a story structure, character, theme, or plot is developed from humankind's collective unconscious.14
5227598255Leitmotif or MotifImage or phrase that occurs repeatedly to unify a work & suggest a theme.15
5227598256LitotesMaking an affirmative point by negating its opposite; a type of understatement (example: "That's not bad" to mean "That's good").16
5227598257MalapropismMisuse of a word where a word similar in sound but with a different meaning is used for a humorous effect.17
5227598258Metaphysical ConceitUnusual extended metaphor of 2 very dissimilar things involving paradox/presents the commonplace in an unusual way.18
5227598259MetonymyWhen something is represented by another that is frequently associated with it but not part of it (example: the Monarchy called "a crown").19
5227598260SynecdocheUse of a part to represent a whole (example: calling a boat "a sail").20
5227598261ParadoxA statement that does not seem to be true, but upon closer examination, reveals the truth.21
5227598265PunA play on words with similar sound and/or spelling but different meanings OR a play on one's word's multiple meanings.22
52275982667 Deadly SinsEGGSLAP (envy, greed, gluttony, sloth, lechery, anger, and pride - considered the worst because Satan;s fall from grace)23
5227598267SynesthesiaAssociating 2 or more senses in the same image description (example: red hot = sight & touch)24
5229703913LitotesA form of understatement (saying the opposite of what we mean) often ironic or affirmation by saying something negative25
5229703917JuxtapositionTwo or more opposing ideas used together to create a contrast26
5229703918MetonymySubstitute symbol to represent a whole27
5229703919SynecdocheSubstitute part of whole to represent the whole28
5229703920AllegoryExtended narrative (in poetry or prose) in which the characters and actions - and sometimes the setting - are contrived to make sense on the literal and figurative levels29
5229703921ApostropheAddress person not present30
5229703926SatireSubject (usually a human vice) is made fun of or scorned, eliciting amusement, contempt or indignation. Purpose is to provoke change.31
5229703927EuphemismUses an inoffensive or more socially acceptable word for something that could be inappropriate or offensive to some32
5229703928AphorismBrief statement of an opinion or elemental truth33
5229703929AssonanceRepetition of vowel sound within a group of words or lines34
5229703930ConsonanceThe repetition of the sequence of two or more consonants but with a change in the intervening vowel35
5229703931ParallelismA pattern of language that create rhythm of repetition combined with some other language of repetition focusing on grammatical structure36
5229703932PloceRepeating a word within the same line or clause37
5229703933AnaphoraThe deliberate repetition of a word at the beginning of several lines, is used to emphasize an idea.38

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