AP LANG Terms Quiz # 2

Hyperbole

Definition: An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally

Purpose: Exaggerate for emphasis on a situation

Example: I’m so hungry that I could eat a horse.

Imagery

Definition: Creates sensory or emotional images in the reader’s mind

Purpose: Allow readers to create mental images and sensory impressions.

Example: The luscious green mountains.

Irony

Definition: The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous effect.

Purpose: Portray a contrast between appearance and reality. Create humor and suspense.

Example: Amber died after she killed her husband for insurance money.

Jargon

Definition: Special or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.

Purpose: To convey a hidden meaning in a field of work.

Example: He always spoke in legal jargon.

Lending Credence

Definition: To make something seem more credible or probable.

Purpose: A way of acknowledging the validity of an opponent’s viewpoint, even while disagreeing with it.

Example: A discovery lends credence to a theory.

Litotes

Definition: A phrase that utilizes negative wording or terms to express a positive assertion or statement.

Purpose: To state an affirmative without direct use of affirmative wording.

Example: Even though the hike was challenging, it was no small feat to reach the summit.

Logical Fallacies

Definition: Errors in reasoning that make the argument invalid.

Purpose: To make the argument seem more persuasive than it really is.

Example: Ads are filled with logical fallacies to convince people to buy their products.

Logical Reasoning

Definition: Mental activity that aims to arrive at a conclusion in a rigorous way.

Purpose: Enabling readers to critically analyze arguments and assess the validity of claims of nonfiction texts.

Example: She solved the puzzle quickly by using logical reasoning to eliminate bad options.

Loose Sentence

Definition: The principal clause comes first, and subordinate modifiers or trailing elements follow.

Purpose: To state points directly, and then elaborately.

Example: The team celebrated their victory, cheering loudly, waving flags, and hugging22q one another.

Metaphor

Definition: Comparing two things without using like or as.

Purpose: To create a direct comparison between two different things.

Example: That cat is a beanbag.

Metonymy

Definition: Substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant.

Purpose: Add interest, mood, and depth in texts. Makes words more powerful.

Example: The people will decide their fate.

Mood

Definition: Emotional response of a piece of writing.

Purpose: Enrich storytelling.

Example: The dark clouds set a foreboding mood on the entire town.

Motif

Definition: An element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature and helps develop central themes.

Purpose: To draw reader’s attention to a theme.

Example: The Recurring motif was light and darkness.

Narration

Definition: Action or process of narrating a story

Purpose: To keep audience members engaged.

Example: The narration of the story shifted between many characters which altered the mood often.

Onomatopoeia

Definition: Words that imitate the sounds they describe.

Purpose: To evoke specific noises, suggests movement, and enriches imagery which makes writing more engaging.

Example: The cow says moooooooo.

Paradox

Definition: A statement that appears at first to be contradictory, but upon reflection then makes sense.

Purpose: To arrest attention and provoke fresh thought.

Example: Less is more.

Parallelism

Definition: Repetition of grammatical elements in writing.

Purpose: Create a sense of balance, rhythm, and emphasis in writing.

Example: He likes to go skiing, skating, and bowling.

Periodic Sentence

Definition: A sentence that has been deliberately structured to place the main point at the end.

Purpose: To create an effect of suspense.

Example: Everybody was getting sick of the same “exciting” performance: jumping through the rings of fire.

Personification

Definition: The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman.

Purpose: To create more vivid descriptions.

Example: The wind danced in the trees.

Point of View

Definition: The narrator’s position in relation to a story being told.

Purpose: Helps readers understand characters’ feelings, actions, and the story’s depth of information.

Example: From the point of view of a monkey is very different from one of a human.

Polysyndeton

Definition: A stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions are used in succession in order to achieve an artistic effect.

Purpose: To create rhythm or pace.

Example: The dinner was so good, I ate the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, bread, and beans.

Process Analysis

Definition: Method of detailing and examining the steps involved in a process.

Purpose: Explain to the readers how to do something.

Example: First, you have to … Then, you have to … Lastly, you have to …

Repetition

Definition: Something being said again and again.

Purpose: To emphasize key themes, ideas, or emotions.

Example: I have to practice my times table over and over again.

Rhetorical Question

Definition: A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.

Purpose: To challenge the listener, raise doubt, and emphasize ideas.

Example: Is this a good idea? I think it is.

Rhetorical Strategies

Definition: Methods used to make messages more engaging and persuasive.

Purpose: To persuade, convince, influence, entertain, impress, or motivate the reader.

Example: Rhetorical strategies like anaphora , alliteration, and alliteration help to make the text more engaging.

Satire

Definition: Use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity.

Purpose: To criticize someone or something.

Example: The artist’s satire poked fun of the political groups.

Simile

Definition: Compares two unlike things using like or as.

Purpose: To create comparisons between different things.

Example: The cat was like a car.

Simple Sentence

Definition: A sentence that consists of only one independent clause.

Purpose: To convey a complete thought with clarity and conciseness.

Example: The cat slept peacefully.

Spin (redefining)

Definition: A form of propaganda that relies on deceptive methods of persuasion.

Purpose: To distort the interpretation of results and mislead readers.

Example: He put a spin on the definition of hard working.

Style

Definition: The way in which an author writes and creates a distinct feel for a work.

Purpose: It discerns writers from each other

Example: Different styles can include the types of sentences and the tone that is created.

Syllogism

Definition: Starts and argument with a reference to something general and it draws a conclusion about something more specific.

Purpose: To create irony or tension

Example: All humans are mortal; Socrates is human; therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Symbol

Definition: A literary device that uses symbols to represent something beyond literal meaning.

Purpose: Produce an impact by adding additional meaning to an action, object, or name.

Example: The dove is a symbol of peace.

Synecdoche

Definition: A literary device that allows for a smaller component of something to stand in for the larger whole.

Purpose: To allow writers to express a word or idea using a different aspect of it.

Example: He asked for her hand in marriage.

Syntax

Definition: The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

Purpose: Help reader and writers make sense of sentences.

Example: The poem’s syntax allows for a rhythmic and flowing effect.

Tone

Definition: A literary device that reflects the writer’s attitude toward the subject matter or audience of a literary work.

Purpose: To reveal the author’s attitude towards a subject or topic.

Example: The author incorporates a mellow tone in the chapter.

Voice

Definition: A form or format through which narrators tell their stories.

Purpose: It can create specific atmospheres, convey emotional depth, and establish trust, and develop characters.

Example: The author’s voice in the book is witty and reflective.