AP Lang Vocab

Alliteration

Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close to one another.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, or thing from literature, history, etc.

Analogy

Comparison of two similar but different things, usually to clarify an action or a relationship.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row.

Antithesis

The presentation of two contrasting images, balanced by word, phrase, clause or paragraphs.

Colloquialism

A word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing.

Diction

Word choice, an element of style; creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning.

Dramatic Irony

When the reader is aware of an inconsistency between a character's perception and the truth.

Emotional Appeal

When a writer appeals to readers' emotions to excite and involve them in the argument.

Ethical Appeal (Ethos)

When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on self-presentation.

Ellipsis

When a word or phrase in a sentence is omitted, though implied by the context.

Euphemism

A more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable.

Figurative Language

Language that contains figures of speech, such as similes and metaphors, to create imaginative associations.

Figures of Speech

Expressions, such as similes, metaphors, and personifications, that make imaginative comparisons.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration in order to create humor or emphasis.

Imagery

Words or phrases that use a collection of images to appeal to one or more of the five senses.

Irony

A situation or statement in which the actual outcome or meaning is opposite to what was expected.

Juxtaposition

Placing of two items side by side to create a certain effect or reveal an attitude. Ex. it was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Logical Appeal

When a writer uses logical reasoning to persuade their audience.

Logical Fallacy

A mistake in reasoning that may sound convincing but is actually flawed.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Mood

The atmosphere or emotional condition created by a piece of literary work.

Parallelism

The use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same or similar in construction.

Pathos

An appeal to emotion in order to persuade an audience.

Repetition

The action of repeating something that has already been said or written.

Logical Fallacies

Different types of reasoning errors in arguments.

Figure of Speech

A figure of speech in which one thing is referred to as another; for example, 'my love is a fragile flower'.

Syntax

The grammatical structure of a sentence; the arrangement of words in a sentence.

Parallel Structure

The technique of arranging words, phrases, clauses, or larger structures by placing them side by side and making them similar in form.

Rhetorical Pattern

Ways of organizing information.

Rhetorical Question

One that does not expect an explicit answer; used to pose an idea to be considered.

Sarcasm

Harsh, caustic personal remarks to or about someone; less subtle than irony.

Satire

A work that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions to bring about change.

Complex Sentence

One independent clause with one or more subordinate clauses.

Compound Sentence

Two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions, colon, or semi-colon.

Simile

A figure of speech that uses like, as, or as if to make a direct comparison between two different objects.

Symbolism

The use of symbols or anything that is meant to be taken both literally and as a representative of a higher significance.

Theme

The central idea or 'message' of a literary work.

Tone

The characteristic emotion or attitude of an author toward the characters, subject, and audience.

Tricolon

Sentence consisting of three parts of equal importance and length, usually three independent clauses.

Understatement

The opposite of exaggeration; a technique for developing irony and/or humor.

Simple Sentence

One clause plus modifiers.