AP Lit Poetry Terms

Front

Comparison between two things that use helping verbs "like" "as" "than" or "resembles"

Back

simile

Front

A comparison between two things that does NOT use any helping verbs

Back

metaphor

Front

An extended metaphor with complex logic or a startling comparison - takes place over an entire passage or poem.

Back

Conceit

Front

A special kind of metaphor that gives human attributes to a nonhuman object, such as an animal, object, or concept.

Back

personification

Front

Occurs when a poem's speaker addresses someone absent, someone dead, or something nonhuman as if it were present and could respond

Back

apostrophe

Front

The use of the part for the whole

Back

Synecdoche

Front

The use of something closely related for the thing actually meant, e.g., using blood for "life".

Back

metonymy

Front

a contradiction that is nevertheless true

Back

paradox

Front

an overstatement or extravagant exaggeration, so far exaggerated that it cannot be taken literally

Back

hyperbole

Front

bitter or cutting speech, said with the intention to hurt

Back

sarcasm