AP Lit Terms

227143286	simile	a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with 'like' or 'as')
227143287	metaphor	a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
227143288	colloquial	characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
227143289	personification	representing an abstract quality or idea as a person or creature
227143290	understatement	a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said
227143291	overstatement	making to seem more important than it really is
227143292	paradox	(logic) a self-contradiction
227143293	syllogism	deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
227143294	parallel construction	successive sentences or phrases follow the same pattern of wording in order to emphasize and idea
227143295	rhetorical purpose	the objective governing the choice of the various rhetorical features of a piece of writing; why the writer chose this word or that metaphor, etc.
227143296	hyperbole	extravagant exaggeration
227143297	inference	the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation
227143298	allusion	a reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize
227143299	ad-hominem	In an argument, this is an attack on the person rather than on the opponent's ideas. It comes from the Latin meaning "against the man."
227143300	irony	incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs
227143301	anecdote	short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
227143302	analogy	drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect
227143303	allegory	an expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances
227143304	aphorism	A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.
227143305	oxymoron	a figure of speech consisting of two apparently contradictory terms
227143306	innuendo	a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)
227143307	rhetorical question	a statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered
227143308	euphemism	a mild, indirect, or vague term substituting for a harsh, blunt, or offensive term
227143309	satire	form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly
227143310	antithesis	the direct opposite, a sharp contrast