AP Lit: Figurative Language Review

the pleasant, mellifluous presentation of sounds

a work that functions on a symbolic level

a brief reference to a well-known person, event, or work

a pattern of beats in poetry

the literal meaning or dictionary definition of a word

background information presented in a literary work

a poem that depicts a conversation between the speaker and an implied listener

two lines of rhyming poetry

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers"

a direct comparison between dissimilar things

the interpretive level of a word based on the feeling associated with it

a device that enables a writer to refer to past thoughts and events

a poem that tells a story

the turning point of action or character in a literary work; the highest moment of tension

the author's choice of words

a formal, lengthy poem that celebrates/praises a particular subject

the inclusion of humor to contrast with tragic elements

devices which enable writers to operate on levels other than the literal

a lengthy, elevated poem celebrating the exploits of a hero

a speech given by one character

extreme exaggeration (for effect)

an unexpected contrast between what happens and what was expected to happen

harsh or discordant sounds in a literary work

a representative term is used for a larger idea

the speaker of a literary work

one who opposes the protagonist

a simple, symbolic story, often with animal characters

poetry without a defined form, meter or rhyme scheme

words spoken by an actor intended to be heard by the audience but not other characters

the total effect of related sensory images in a work of literature

a clash between opposing forces

a poem that laments the dead or another loss

an eight-line stanza

background information presented in a literary work

one who carries out the action in a literary work