AP English Language & Composition Vocabulary

all semester 1 terms :0

figure of speech

a word or phrase that possesses a separate meaning from its literal definition

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.

imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

simile

an explicit comparison between two things using "like" or "as"

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

point of view

the perspective from which a story is told

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Affected by setting, tone, and events.

tone

an author's attitude toward the material, the audience, or both

concrete language

Language that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities.

abstract language

Language describing ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places.

allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.

symbol

anything that stands for or represents something else

anecdote

A brief recounting of a relevant episode (a short personal story)

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle

homily

a sermon, but also any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice

antithesis

a figure of speech involving a seeming contradiction of ideas, words, clauses, or sentences within a balanced grammatical structure

juxtaposition

Placing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

personification

giving an inanimate object human characteristics

rhetorical question

a question that is asked merely for effect and does not expect a reply

syllogism

a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion

repetition

The duplication of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern

anaphora

Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer's point more coherent

epistrophe

repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the end of two or more sentences in a row

consonance

Repetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity

assonance

repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds within words, phrases, or sentences

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words

situational irony

when the events turn out the opposite of what was expected

verbal irony

when words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning

dramatic irony

when the audience knows something that the characters in a play or piece of fiction do not know

understatement

the ironic minimizing of fact, presenting something as less significant than it is

hyperbole

a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

oxymoron

a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox

paradox

a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense, but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity

satire

a work that targets human vices and follies, or social institutions and conventions, for reform or ridicule

diatribe

in contemporary terms, a rant. An explosion of harsh language that typically vilifies or condemns an idea.

invective

an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language

sarcasm

involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something

caricature

a representation, especially pictorial or literary, in which the subject’s distinctive features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect

epithet

1) a short poetic nickname; 2) a term used as a descriptive substitute for the name or title of a person; 3) an abusive or contemptuous word or phrase

parody

a work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the aim of comic effect and/or ridicule

euphemism

a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts

wit

intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights

candor

open and honest communication; truthfulness

propaganda

information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

colloquial

common or regional language or behavior; referring to local custom or sayings

vernacular

the ordinary, everyday speech of a region

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.

metonymy

A figure of speech in which something is referred to by using the name of something that is associated with it

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

parallelism

the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity

diction

refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

asyndeton

the omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence.

polysyndeton

sentence which uses "and" or another conjunction (with no commas) to separate the items in a series

circumlocution

to write around a subject; to write evasively; to say nothing