ap terms english

ad hominem argument

an argument attacking an individual's character rather than his or her position on an issue

Allegory

a literary work in which characters, objects, or actions represent abstractions (bible stories)

Allusion

a reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize (ex. Her Mona Lisa smile gave nothing away about her feelings)

Anachronism

a chronological inconsistency; something described that doesn't fit into the time period in which it is mentioned; ana=against, so against chronology

Anadiplosis

the repetition of the last word of a preceding clause (ex. The mountains look on Marathon - And Marathon looks on the sea...)

Analogy

a comparison of two different things that are similar in some way (ex. Metaphors, similes, etc)

Anaphora

the repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences. (ex. I believe. I believe we will. I believe we will win)

Anecdote

a brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event

Antecedent

the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers (ex. She went to the store)

Anthimeria

changing a word from one part of speech to another (ex. Google is a noun, but we say "I googled it" changing google to a verb)

Aposiopesis

when a sentence is deliberately broken off and left unfinished (ex. That all the world shall—I will do things--)

Apostrophe

a figure of speech in which one directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or some abstraction

Motif/Archetype

a detail, image, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and myth and is thought to appeal in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke a response

Asyndeton

a construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions (ex. "They dove, splashed, swam, snorkeled.")

Climax

the point of highest interest in a literary work

Conceit

a fanciful, particularly clever extended metaphor (ex. metaphysical poetry "A Valediction..." compass feet)

Connotation

the implied meaning of a word (ex. pimp or pigheaded)

Denotation

the literal definition of a word

Dialect

a variety of speech characterized by its own particular grammar or pronunciation often associated with a geographical region (ex. coke vs. pop, lift vs. elevator, torch vs. flashlight)

Diction

word choice of a writer (ex. Skinny vs. anorexic)

Didactic

having the primary purpose of teaching or instructing (ex. Teaching lecture)

Dissonance

harsh, inharmonious, or discordant sounds (ex. bagpipes)

Elegy

a formal poem presenting a meditation on death or another solemn theme (ex. Mediation 17 by John Donne)

Ellipsis

the omission of a word or phrase which is grammatically necessary but can be deduced from the context (ex. "Some people prefer cats; others, dogs")

Encomium

a tribute or eulogy in prose or verse glorifying people, objects, ideas, or events (ex. award ceremony speeches or retirement party speeches)

Epic

a long narrative poem written in elevated style; has characters of high position (wealth and power) and episodes of historical importance

Epigram/Adage/Aphorism/Maxim

a brief, pithy, and often paradoxical saying (Aphorism is a synonym; ex. "Avoid extremes; and shun the fault of such,/Who still are pleased too little or too much" A. Pope)

Epigraph

a saying or statement on the title page of a work, or used as a heading for a chapter or other section of work (ex. picture)

Epiphany

a moment of sudden revelation or insight

Epiphora/Epistrophe

word or phrase at the end of several clauses (ex. I'll make my heaven to dream upon the crown...Be round impaled with a glorious crown / And yet I know not how to get the crown)

Epitaph

an inscription on a tombstone or burial place (R.I.P.)

Epithet/ Antonomasia

a term used to point out a characteristic of a person (ex: "swift-footed Achilles" or "The Rocket") -the substitution of a proper name with a suitable epithet or title (ex. Your Highness for the queen or Commander in Chief for the president)

Eulogy

a formal speech praising a person who has died (a positive eulogy is an encomium; both are nouns)