Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

Which literary device uses understatement for effect?

1. Hyperbole

2. Alliteration

3. Litotes

4. Oxymoron

The correct answer is: Litotes

Litotes is the literary device that employs understatement for effect. This technique often uses double negatives or negative expressions to convey a positive statement. For example, saying "not bad" to mean "good" exemplifies litotes. The understated quality communicates the intended meaning more subtly, adding nuance or irony and allowing the reader to derive a greater emotional or intellectual response from the text. In contrast, hyperbole involves exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally, which serves the opposite purpose of emphasizing a point rather than understated communication. Alliteration focuses on the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, creating rhythm and musicality rather than employing understatement. An oxymoron juxtaposes contradictory terms to create an intriguing effect, but it does not utilize understatement in the way that litotes does. Hence, the understanding of how litotes operates highlights its unique role in emphasizing meaning through understatement.