Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

An apostrophe in literature is a rhetorical device in which a speaker addresses an absent person, an inanimate object, or an abstract concept as if it were present and capable of responding. This technique allows the writer to create a more dramatic and emotional atmosphere by personifying something that is not physically there. By engaging directly with an absent entity, the speaker can express feelings, thoughts, or emotions in a way that draws the audience into the moment and emphasizes the significance of the addressed subject.

For instance, in a poem where a character speaks to the moon, the act of calling upon the moon transforms it into a figure of longing or introspection, enhancing the emotional depth of the work. This usage can also serve to reflect the speaker’s inner thoughts and feelings, making the audience more invested in the narrative or thematic elements being conveyed.

While addressing an audience’s emotions is important and is reflected in other options, the defining characteristic of apostrophe is its action of directly addressing something that is not present, which distinguishes it from other rhetorical strategies.