AP English Language and Composition Exam Terminology

Flashcards for review of AP English Language and Composition terminology for exam preparation.

What is an abstract in the context of a literary work?

An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research.

What does the term adage mean?

A saying containing a truth based on experience, often couched in metaphorical language.

Define allegory.

A device using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction beyond the literal meaning.

What is alliteration?

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words.

What is an allusion?

A direct or indirect reference to something commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, or work of art.

What does ambiguity refer to in literature?

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

What is an anachronism?

An element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.

What is an analogy?

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

What is an anecdote?

A brief narrative used to illustrate an idea or make a point.

What does annotation mean in a literary context?

A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature.

What is the antecedent in grammar?

The word or phrase referred to by the pronoun.

Define aphorism.

A terse epigrammatic statement of known authorship that purports to reveal a truth or moral principle.

What does Apollonian refer to?

It refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior.

What is an apostrophe in literature?

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction.

What does arch humor involve?

Clever or sly humor, often saucy, playful, and somewhat irreverent.

Define archetype.

An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example.

What is assonance?

The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words.

What does atmosphere refer to in a literary work?

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work.

What is a writer's attitude towards the subject of their writing called?

Attitude.

What is bathos?

Insincere or overdone sentimentality.

Who is a bard?

A poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories with musical accompaniment.

What does belle-lettres mean?

A French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general.

Define bibliography.

A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a particular subject.

What is bombast?

Inflated, pretentious language.

Define burlesque.

A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation.

What is cacophony?

Grating, inharmonious sounds.

What is caricature?

A grotesque or exaggerated likeness of striking qualities in persons or things.

What does carpe diem mean?

Literally 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can.

Define circumlocution.

Literally 'talking around' a subject; discourse that avoids direct reference to a subject.

What is a classic in literature?

A highly regarded work of literature that has withstood the test of time.

What does classical or classicism refer to?

Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture.

What is a clause in grammar?

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.

What is colloquialism?

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.

What is a conceit?

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor.

What does concrete detail refer to?

A highly specific, tangible detail; the opposite of abstract.

What is connotation?

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word.

What is consonance?

The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words.

What is critique?

An analysis or assessment of a thing or situation.

What does cynic mean?

One who expects and observes nothing but the worst of human conduct.

Define denotation.

The strict, literal definition of a word, devoid of emotion.

What is denouement?

The resolution that occurs at the end of a narrative or drama.

Define descriptive detail.

A graphic presentation of the characteristics of a person, place, or thing.

What are devices in literature?

Figures of speech, syntax, diction, and other stylistic elements.

What is deus ex machina?

The use of an artificial device to solve a problem in literature.

What does diction refer to?

The writer's word choices and their correctness, clarity, or effectiveness.

What does didactic mean?

Works aimed at teaching or instructing, especially moral principles.

Define digression.

That portion of discourse that wanders or departs from the main subject.

What does Dionysian refer to?

Sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses.

What is an elegy?

A poem or prose selection that laments the passing or death of someone.

Define epic.

A narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero.

What is an epithet?

An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing.

What does eponymous mean?

A term for the title character of a literary work.

What is a euphemism?

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for an unpleasant word.

What is euphony?

Pleasing, harmonious sounds.

Define exegesis.

A detailed analysis or interpretation of a work of prose or poetry.

What does explication refer to in literature?

The interpretation or analysis of a text.

What is an extended metaphor?

A metaphor developed at great length throughout a work.

What does farce mean?

A comedy that disregards seriousness, often with a serious purpose.

What is figurative language?

Writing not intended to carry literal meaning, meant to be imaginative and vivid.

Define figure of speech.

A device used to produce figurative language.

What does genre refer to in literature?

The major category into which a literary work fits.

What is a harangue?

A forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade.

What is a homily?

Literally means 'sermon,' but can include any serious talk involving moral advice.

What is humanism?

A belief emphasizing faith and optimism in human potential and creativity.

What does hyperbole mean?

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

Define idyll.

A lyric poem or passage describing an ideal life or place.

What is imagery in literature?

Sensory details or figurative language used to arouse emotion or represent abstractions.

What is inference/infer?

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the presented information.

What is invective?

An emotionally violent verbal denunciation using strong language.

What does irony refer to?

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant.

What is lampoon?

A mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation.

What should you analyze when asked about language in a literary work?

How elements of language combine to form a whole.

What is litotes?

A form of understatement that uses the negative of the contrary to achieve emphasis.

What is a loose sentence?

A sentence where the main idea comes first, followed by dependent units.

Define kenning.

A device in Anglo-Saxon poetry where the name of a thing is replaced by its functions or qualities.

What is a malapropism?

A confused use of words where an appropriate word is replaced by a similar-sounding word.

What is a maxim?

A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom.

What is a metaphor?

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things.

Define metonymy.

A figure of speech where the name of one object is substituted for another closely associated with it.

What is Middle English?

The language spoken in England from roughly 1150 to 1500 AD.

What is mood in literature?

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.

What does motif refer to?

A phrase, idea, or event that through repetition unifies or conveys a theme.

Who or what is a muse?

One of the ancient Greek goddesses of the arts or a source of inspiration.

Define narrative.

The telling of a story or account of an event or series of events.

What are narrative devices?

Tools of the storyteller, such as the ordering of events for desired effects.

What does an ode express?

Serious, respectful, and exalted feelings toward a subject.

What is Old English?

The Anglo-Saxon language spoken from approximately 450 to 1150 A.D.

Define onomatopoeia.

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in words.

What is an oxymoron?

A figure of speech that groups apparently contradictory terms.

What is a paradox?

A statement that appears self-contradictory but contains some degree of truth.

What is parallelism in writing?

The grammatical or rhetorical framing of words or phrases for structural similarity.

What does parody mean?

A work that imitates the style or content of another for comic effect or ridicule.

Define pastoral.

A work of literature dealing with rural life.

What does pedantic describe?

Words, phrases, or tone that is overly scholarly or bookish.

What is a periodic sentence?

A sentence that presents its central meaning at the end.

Define persona.

The role or façade that a character depicts to an audience.

What is personification?

Describing concepts or objects by endowing them with human attributes.

What are persuasive devices in literature?

Words that have strong connotations and intensify emotional effect.

What is point of view?

The perspective from which a story is told.

What is a predicate adjective?

An adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies the subject.