AP lang pgs 1-2

ad hominem argument

from the Latin meaning, “to or against the man”, this is an argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason, to feeling rather than intelect

allegory

device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In this word, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.

alliteration

the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. (as in “she sells sea shells.”) Although the term is not used in the multiple choice section, you can look for this in any essay passage. This repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, and/or supply a musical sound.

allusion

a direct or indirect reference to something that is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. this can be historical, literary, religious, or mythical.

ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two diff things or the relationship between them. this can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with, or pointing out its similarity to, something more familiar. it can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, and intellectually engaging.

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP Lang exam occasionally asks for this of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences. Ex. ““Maria put on her jacket” or “Eating with your mouth closed has several benefits. Most importantly, it keeps people from turning away in disgust.”

• Antecedent: Eating with your mouth closed

• Pronoun: it [1]

antithesis

a figure of speech involving a seeming contradiction of ideas, words, clauses, or sentences within a balanced grammatical structure. The resulting parallelism serves to emphasize opposition of ideas. The familiar phrase “Man proposes, god disposes” is an example of an antithesis, as is is John Dryden’s description in The Hind and the Panther: “Too Black for heaven, and yet too white for hell.”

aphorism

a terse statement known authorship that expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) this can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.

apostrophe

a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity. William Wordsworth addresses John Milton as he writes, “Milton; thou shouldst be living at this hour: England hath need of thee.”

atmosphere

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the authors choice of objects that are described. Even such elements as a description of the weather can contribute to t he this. this frequently foreshadows events.

caricature

a representation, especially pictorial or literary, in which the subjects distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect. Sometimes can can be so exaggerated that it becomes a grotesque imitation or misrepresentation.

chiasmus

a figure of speech based on inverted parallelism. It is a rhetorical figure in which two clauses are related to each another through a reversal of terms. The purpose is usually to make a larger point or to provide balance or order. In classcial rhetoric, the parallel structures did not repeat words, such as found in Alexander Popes essay on man: “His time a moment, and a point his space.” Hoever, contemporary standards allow for repeated words; a commonly cited example: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country”

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent or subordinate, cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent to provide meaning.

colloquialism

Slang or informality in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, these give work a conversational, familiar tone. these 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. this displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison being made.

connotation

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word. The implied, suggesyed meaning. involves ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

denotation

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

diction

related to style, this refers to the writers word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

didactic

from the Greek, it literally means “instructive.” these works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

euphemism

From the Greek for “Good speech”, these are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. These may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness, or to add humor or ironic understatement. Saying “earthly remains” rather than “corpse” is an example.

extended metaphor

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

figurative language

writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid

figure of speech

a device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. this include, apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatment

generic conventions

this term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate between an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing.

genre

major category into which literary work fits. basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, it is a flexible; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called these themselves. For example, prose can be divided into fiction (novels and short stories) or nonfiction (essays, biographys, autobiographies, and so on.) Poetry can be divided into such subcategories as lyric, dramatic, narrative, epic and so on.