AP Lit Terms

Typical example or representation of a category of people (The old crone; the wise mentor; etc)

Beginning in the middle of the story

Two or more sections of a text with the same structure

An "evil twin" who serves as a contrast to important character traits of the protagonist

Word Choice

A narrative written entirely in letters or correspondence

Dialogue described rather than directed transcribed. (He told her that she was his friend.)

The outcome is the opposite of what is expected

A category or type of writing

The emotion or attitude of a text

Writing in which the subject performs the actions. (Sasha fed the cat.)

Writing in which the subject is acted upon, rather than acting (The cat was fed.)

Literary style in which a person's thoughts are shared in an ongoing flow

Recurring image or symbol

When the author conveys an idea indirectly, rather than coming out and saying it.

A story within a story

Ironic understatement using a double negative to express an affirmative (He's not unattractive)

Exaggeration to make a point

The audience knows key information that one or more characters doesn't know

Vagueness that leaves a text open to multiple interpretations

Placing two things side by side for purposes of comparison

Word order

A reference to another text

When the audience reads between the lines to determine what the author means

A hint about what will happen later in the story