AP Lang Vocabulary
Literary Terms (General) —AP
I. Literary Types—names for the various types of literary expression:
1. Allegory: a tale in which characters, actions, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. Allegorical stories can also be viewed as extended or continued metaphors.
2. Allusion: a casual or brief reference to a person, place, event, or literary work that a writer expects the reader to recognize but doesn’t fully develop. The writer hopes to clarify or enhance the subject that is under discussion by linking into an outside concept or illustration without sidetracking the reader.
3. Anecdote: a brief story of a specific incident used to illustrate a point.
4. Aphorism: a brief, memorable, sometimes witty statement of a principle or opinion (terms that you need to know that more or less mean the same thing are: epigram, maxim, or adage).
5. Cacophony: language which seems rough and unmusical to the ear (opposite of euphony).
6. Euphony: language that seems to be smooth, pleasant, and musical to the ear (opposite of cacophony) 7. Colloquialism: an expression that uses slang or informal speech or writing.
8. Euphemism: a more general or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.
9. Fable: a short tale used to teach a moral or lesson (often uses animals as characters).
10. Frame (story/narrative): an introductory narrative within which one or more of the characters proceed to tell the story.
11. Homily: this term literally means “sermon,” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.
12. Invective: an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language (terms that you need to know that more or less mean the same thing are: Obloquy, Diatribe, Vituperation).
13. Myth: an anonymous traditional story that usually serves to explain a belief, custom, or mysterious natural phenomenon.
14. Parody: the
I. Literary Types—names for the various types of literary expression:
1. Allegory: a tale in which characters, actions, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. Allegorical stories can also be viewed as extended or continued metaphors.
2. Allusion: a casual or brief reference to a person, place, event, or literary work that a writer expects the reader to recognize but doesn’t fully develop. The writer hopes to clarify or enhance the subject that is under discussion by linking into an outside concept or illustration without sidetracking the reader.
3. Anecdote: a brief story of a specific incident used to illustrate a point.
4. Aphorism: a brief, memorable, sometimes witty statement of a principle or opinion (terms that you need to know that more or less mean the same thing are: epigram, maxim, or adage).
5. Cacophony: language which seems rough and unmusical to the ear (opposite of euphony).
6. Euphony: language that seems to be smooth, pleasant, and musical to the ear (opposite of cacophony) 7. Colloquialism: an expression that uses slang or informal speech or writing.
8. Euphemism: a more general or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.
9. Fable: a short tale used to teach a moral or lesson (often uses animals as characters).
10. Frame (story/narrative): an introductory narrative within which one or more of the characters proceed to tell the story.
11. Homily: this term literally means “sermon,” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.
12. Invective: an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language (terms that you need to know that more or less mean the same thing are: Obloquy, Diatribe, Vituperation).
13. Myth: an anonymous traditional story that usually serves to explain a belief, custom, or mysterious natural phenomenon.
14. Parody: the