AP Language Note cards

Abstract Language

language that refers to things that are intangible and perceived through the mind. (e.g., love, beauty, peace etc.)

Active Voice

The type of voice where the subject of the sentence performs the action

Allusion

an indirect or brief reference to well-known person, event, story, etc.; this reference can be literary, historical, religious, mythological, etc.

Analogy

A comparison of two things (that are similar in some way) Which helps explain something more complex by comparing it to something more simple.

Anaphora

Repeating a world or set of words (a phrase) at the beginning of successive phrases, sentences, or paragraphs

Anthropomorphism

A type of personification that gives human characteristics to inanimate objects and especially animals

Antithesis

Two contrasting ideas that are juxtaposed through parallel structure

Aphorism

A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.

Ex. "Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late."

Argumentation

Writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or idea by presenting reasoned arguments

Asyndeton

When an author deliberately leaves out conjunctions to emphasize a point or add drama

audience

the listener, viewer, or reader of the text

bombast

pompous or pretentious talk in writing, impressive but meaningless language