AP LANG TERMS 2

Litotes

Deliberate use of understatement

Rhetorical question

Asking a question, not for the purpose of eliciting an answer but to assert or deny an answer implicitly

Irony

Use of a word in such a way as to convey a meaning opposite to the literal meaning of the word

Onomatopoeia

Use of words whose sound echoes the sense

Oxymoron

The joining of two terms which are ordinarily contradictory

Paradox

An apparently contradictory statement that nevertheless contains a measure of truth

Allegory

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

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book,

myth, place, or work of art.

Analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. An (x) can

explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar.

Antecedent

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

Aphorism

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

Atmosphere

The emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by

the author's choice of objects that are described.

Caricature

A verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect or ridicule, a person's

distinctive physical features or other characteristics.

Clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.An independent, or main, (x) expresses a

complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate (x), cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause.

Colloquial/Colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal

writing, (x's) give a work a conversational, familiar tone. (x) expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.

Conceit

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

dissimilar objects, usually used in poetry. A (x) displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being mad

Diction

Related to style, (x) refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color

Connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. (xs) may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes

Ethos

In writing and speaking, a persuasive appeal to the audience based on the credibility, good character, etc., of

the speaker/writer.

Euphemism

From the Greek for "good speech,"

Extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.

Generic conventions

This term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for

example, they differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing.

Homily

This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture

involving moral or spiritual advice.

Imagery

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

Inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. When a multiple choice question asks for an (x) to be drawn from a passage, the most direct, most reasonable inference is the safest answer choice. If an (x) is implausible, it's unlikely to be the correct answer..

Invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

"But it is the grandeur of all truth which can occupy a very high place in human interests that it is never absolutely novel to the meanest of minds; it exists eternally, by way of germ of latent principle, in the lowest as in the highest, needing to be developed but never to be planted."

Antecedent EXAMPLE

"Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her appearance for the worse."

Litotes EXAMPLE

He was destined to fail; he always flew too close to the sun.

Allusion EXAMPLE

Orwell's Animal Farm is...

Allegory Example