AP Language and Composition

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal hidden meaning in addition to the literal meaning.

The repetition of initial sounds in two or more neighboring words that might reinforce meaning, unify ideas or create a musical sound

A direct or indirect reference to an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. They can be historical (like referring to Hitler), literary(like referring to Kurtz in Heart of Darkness), religious (like referring to Noah and the flood), or mythological (like referring to Atlas)

Multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it, or pointing out its similarity to, something more familiar

A figure of speech involving a seeming contradiction of ideas, words, clasuses, or sentences within a balanced grammatical structure. For example, in the phrase "Man proposes, God disposes" is an example of antithesis.

A known statement that expresses a general truth or moral principle. ( If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered a folk proverb)

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent, imaginary person or personified abstraction,such as love or liberty. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity. An example would be William Wordsworth addressing John Milton as he writes, "Milton,thou shouldst be living at this hour: England hath need of thee."

The emotional mood created by th entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described. Even such elements as a description of teh weather can contribute to atmosphere. Frequently, atmosphere foreshadows events.

A representation, especially pictorial or literary, in which the subject's distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect. Sometimes caricature can be so exaggerated that it becomes a grotesque imitiation or misrepresentation.

The identical or near repetition of words in one phrase or clause in reverse order in the next phrase or clause. An example would be "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This is also a type of parallelism.

Two or more clauses are balanced against one another by the reversal of their structures to produce an artistic effect. An example of chiasmus is "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

Slang or informality in speech or writing. Not used for formal writing, colloquialsims give work a conversational, familiar tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. A conceit displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison being made. An example is "The broken heart is a damaged piece of china."

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. Connotations may involve ideas, emotions or attitudes.