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AP Literary Terms
100
Detailing parts, causes, effects, or consequences to make a point more forcibly.
What is ENUMERATIO
100
The interpretive level of a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning.
What is CONNOTATION
100
Inversion of the natural sequence of event, often meant to stress the event which, though later in time, is considered the more important. ("later--earlier")
What is HYSTERON PROTERON
100
Extreme exaggeration, often humorous, it can also be ironic; the opposite of understatement.
What is HYPERBOLE
100
Use of two words connected by a conjunction, instead of subordinating one to the other, to express a single complex idea.
What is HENDIADYS
200
The pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds in a literary work.
What is EUPHONY
200
These works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially teaching moral or ethical principles.
What is DIDACTIC
200
Is an informally-stated syllogism which omits either one of the premises or the conclusion. The omitted part must be clearly understood by the reader.
What is ETHYMEME
200
Separation of words which belong together, often to emphasize the first of the separated words or to create a certain image.
What is HYPERBATON
200
Is the choice of words used in speaking and writing. It is frequently divided into 4 levels: informal, formal, colloquial, slang
What is DICTION
300
A verbally abusive attack.
What is INVECTIVE
300
A more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable.
What is EUPHEMISM
300
Is an explicit reference to a particular meaning or to the varioius meanings of a word, in order to remove or prevent ambiguity.
What is DISTINCTIO
300
Citing an example; using an illustrative story, either true or fiction.
What is EXEMPLUM
300
Repeats the beginning word of a clause or sentence at the end.
What is EPANALEPSIS
400
Is an adjective or adjective phrase appropriately qualifying a subject (noun) by naming a key or important characteristic of the subject.
What is EPITHET
400
The process of moving from a general rule to a specific example.
What is DEDUCTION
400
Repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase.
What is DIACOPE
400
Transferred epithet; grammatical agreement of a word with another word which it does not logically qualify. More common in poetry.
What is HYPALLAGE
400
Indicated by a series of three periods, the ellipsis indicates that some material has been omitted from a given text. It could be a word, a phrase, a sentence, a paragraph, or a whole section. Be wary of the ellipsis; it could obscure the real meaning of the piece of writing.
What is ELLIPSIS
500
Using subordination to show the relationship between clauses or phrases.
What is HYPOTAXIS
500
Mentioning a balancing or opposing fact to prevent the argument from being one-sided or unqualified.
What is DIRIMENS COPULATIO
500
A sustained comparison, often referrred to as a conceit. The extended metaphor is developed throughout a piece of writing.
What is EXTENDED METAPHOR
500
The use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme.
What is EPIGRAPH
500
Substitutes for a particular attribute the name of a famous person recognized for that attribute.
What is EPONYM