Literary Devices (Identify the Device)
What is sophistication of thought?
A. Imagery
B. Symbolism
C. Personification
D. Repetition
What is personification?
Which excerpt best shows the writer moving beyond identifying a device and explaining its effect?
A. “Ridge uses personification.”
B. “This makes it seem like the star can hear and understand him.”
C. “Personification is used in the poem.”
D. “The poem talks about a star.”
B. “This makes it seem like the star can hear and understand him.”
Which sentence best explains why the quoted evidence matters, rather than just repeating it?
A. “The speaker uses words like ‘thou.’”
B. “This makes the star seem human.”
C. “The poem includes personification.”
D. “The star is being described.”
B. “This makes the star seem human.”
Which sentence functions as a claim rather than a summary?
A. “The poem describes a star at twilight.”
B. “The speaker watches a star in the sky.”
C. “The poem uses imagery and personification.”
D. “The star represents self-reflection and independence.”
D. “The star represents self-reflection and independence.”
Which revision improves clarity without changing the original meaning?
A. “The star is there.”
B. “The star represents guidance during moments of transition.”
C. “The star is good.”
D. “The star represents something.”
B. “The star represents guidance during moments of transition.”
An essay states that “the word ‘twilight’ makes the readers imagine the fading light of an evening.” This explanation focuses on which literary device?
A. Diction
B. Imagery
C. Comparison
D. Repetition
What is imagery?
Which idea demonstrates complexity, a key part of earning the sophistication point on the AP rubric?
A. “The star is alone.”
B. “The star is powerful.”
C. “The star’s loneliness makes it strong instead of weak.”
D. “The speaker admires the star.”
C. “The star’s loneliness makes it strong instead of weak.”
Which excerpt shows commentary that clearly connects a device to the poem’s meaning?
A. “Ridge uses imagery and repetition.”
B. “This creates a picture of the star.”
C. “This shows that being alone can be a sign of strength.”
D. “The star is in the sky at night.”
C. “This shows that being alone can be a sign of strength.”
Which idea best helps maintain a clear line of reasoning throughout an essay?
A. Retelling the poem in order
B. Consistently connecting solitude to strength
C. Introducing new devices in every paragraph
D. Repeating the same quote
B. Consistently connecting solitude to strength
Which revision best strengthens an analytical sentence?
A. “This imagery highlights the speaker’s search for direction.”
B. “This is about the star.”
C. “This is a good quote.”
D. “This quote shows imagery.”
A. “This imagery highlights the speaker’s search for direction.”
One writer argues that “the author uses a star as a symbol of self-reflection and independence, showing that true greatness comes from standing alone.” Which device is being analyzed?
A. Imagery
B. Personification
C. Symbolism
D. Tone
What is symbolism?
Which excerpt shows nuanced thinking by recognizing both similarity and difference between the speaker and the star?
A. “The star represents hope.”
B. “The speaker and the star share many qualities but are also very different.”
C. “The star is bright.”
D. “The speaker feels lonely.
B. “The speaker and the star share many qualities but are also very different.”
Which sentence would be considered underdeveloped commentary according to the AP rubric?
A. “This highlights the theme of solitude as strength.”
B. “The star’s loneliness makes it powerful instead of weak.”
C. “This reveals complexity in the speaker’s thinking.”
D. “This shows that the star is powerful.”
D. “This shows that the star is powerful.”
Which sentence best connects a body paragraph back to the central claim?
A. “This quote is important in the poem.”
B. “This shows the star is bright.”
C. “This reinforces the idea that greatness can come from standing alone.”
D. “The speaker likes the star.”
C. “This reinforces the idea that greatness can come from standing alone.”
Which sentence avoids summary and demonstrates analysis?
A. “The poem happens at night.”
B. “The speaker looks at the star.”
C. “The star’s appearance during twilight mirrors the speaker’s uncertainty.”
D. “The star appears in the sky.”
C. “The star’s appearance during twilight mirrors the speaker’s uncertainty.”
An essay explains that repeating the word “alone” when describing oceans, mountains, and comets helps emphasize the poem’s message. Which device is this?
A. Comparison
B. Repetition
C. Metaphor
D. Diction
What is repetition?
Which statement reflects thematic depth rather than summary?
A. “The poem describes a star in the sky.”
B. “The speaker looks at a star during twilight.”
C. “Being alone is not bad, but instead is a sign of strength.”
D. “The star is alone at night.”
C. “Being alone is not bad, but instead is a sign of strength.”
Which option best revises a weak explanation, “This shows that the star is powerful.”, into stronger AP-style commentary?
A. “This proves the author used symbolism.”
B. “This shows the star is alone.”
C. “This quote is important.”
D. “This suggests the star’s isolation represents purposeful independence.”
D. “This suggests the star’s isolation represents purposeful independence.”
hich move weakens a line of reasoning according to the AP rubric?
A. Acknowledging complexity
B. Explaining how a quote supports the theme
C. Repeating the central idea in new language
D. Listing devices without explaining meaning
D. Listing devices without explaining meaning
Which revision best demonstrates thematic depth?
A. “The poem talks about night.”
B. “The star is alone.”
C. “Being alone is not bad.”
D. “Solitude is portrayed as purposeful rather than lonely.”
D. “Solitude is portrayed as purposeful rather than lonely.”
An essay focuses on how the speaker compares himself to the star using phrasing such as “like thee.” What literary device is being analyzed?
A. Symbolism
B. Imagery
C. Comparison
D. Personification
What is comparison?
Which idea would most likely help an essay earn the sophistication point according to the AP Literature rubric?
A. Listing multiple literary devices
B. Including several quotations
C.Retelling the events of the poem
D. Connecting solitude to peace during times of uncertainty
D. Connecting solitude to peace during times of uncertainty
Which response most effectively deepens analysis without adding new quotes?
A. “The speaker sees solitude as a source of peace during uncertainty.”
B. “The speaker feels lonely.”
C. “The star is important.”
D. “The poem talks about night.”
A. “The speaker sees solitude as a source of peace during uncertainty.”
Which sentence would most strengthen an essay’s overall argument?
A. “Ridge uses literary devices.”
B. “The poem has many lines.”
C. “The star is in the night sky.”
D. “Solitude allows the speaker to find direction during uncertainty.”
D. “Solitude allows the speaker to find direction during uncertainty.”
Which revision would most help an essay earn the sophistication point?
A. Restating the thesis
B. Adding more quotes
C. Using longer sentences
D. Exploring how solitude brings peace during uncertainty
D. Exploring how solitude brings peace during uncertainty