AP Eng Lang Vocabulary List 4

Onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which words evoke the actual sound of the action that they refer to or describe.

Oxymoron

Two seemingly contradictory terms used together

Parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. Can imitate writer artist subject, genre, etc;

Pedantic

Someone who is overly concerned about rival details, formalities, and small errors, particularly in academic context. Nitpicky tone.

Sarcasm

Form of verbal irony that is used to mock or convey contempt toward a person.

Satire

The use of humor, exaggeration, irony, ridicule or criticism in order to expose flaws and encourage change in others. Can include sarcasm, irony, parody, etc.

Synecdoche

Figure of speech in which a part of something is used to refer to its whole.

Understatement

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

Undertone

A subdued or hidden layer of literary work. Often referred to as the second layer. Hidden message.

Wit

A form of intelligent humor- the ability to say things that are clever and funny.

Zeugma

Use of a word to modify or govern two or more words usually in such a manner that it applies to two different scenes.

Loose sentence

A sentence where an independent clause is at the beginning, followed by one or more dependent clauses. Starts with the main idea, adds details afterwards.

Syllogism

A conclusion based on two propositions that shares a term and/or have commonality that are asserted or assumed to be true.

Connotation

Nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; implied, suggested meaning.

Denotation

The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.