AP Lang Figurative Language Terms

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.

Metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

Extended Metaphor

An author exploits a single metaphor for an extended time

Simile

A comparison of two things using like or as.

Onomatopoeia

A sound word.

Paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense, but upon closer inspection contains some truth.

Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

Analogy

A logical argument that compares two things.

Symbol

Anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

Personification

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book or myth.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

Imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion or represent abstractions.

Theme

A central topic the text covers.

Dialect

A particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific group of people or area.

Genre

A category of an artistic work that is characterized by a specific style, form or content.

Stream of Consciousness

A literary technique that presents the thoughts and feelings of a character in unedited form.

Parable

A short story that uses familiar events to illustrate a religious, ethical or moral point.

Allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.

Irony

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.

Verbal Irony

When a speaker says the opposite of what they mean.

Situational Irony

Occurs when the final outcome is contradictory to what is expected.

Dramatic Irony

When a reader knows more than the characters.

Point of View

How the author allows the reader to view the story.

Conceit

A comparison which is unlikely, but very imaginative.

Apostrophe

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

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or the whole is used to represent a part.

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated to it.

Euphemism

A polite expression used to replace words or phrases considered to be harsh or impolite.

Understatement

Figure of speech to make intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is.

Pun

Planned words in which a humorous effect is produced by using a word that results in a funny expression.

Colloquialism

A use of informal words or slang in writing.

Malapropism

The use of an incorrect word in place of a similar sounding word that results in a funny expression.

Parody

An imitation that exaggerates the original item deliberately to create a comic effect.

Satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule.

Clause

Consists of a subject and predicate.

Subordinate Clause

Introduced by a conjuction that forms part of and is dependant on a main clause.

Periodic Sentences

Long and involved sentence marked by postponing the full idea or main point until the very end.

Loose sentence

A type of sentence in which the main idea is elaborated by the successive addition of modifying clauses or phrases.

Antecedent

A thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another.

Subject Complement

The adjective, noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb.

Predicate Adjective

An adjective that is used to predicate an attribute of the subject.

Predicate Nominative

A word in the nominative case that completes a copulative verb.

Syntax

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

Rhetoric

Language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience.

Rhetorical purpose

Explaining the goal of your argument.

Thesis

An unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument.

Rhetorical Mode

One of the several ways of writing that include variety, conventions and purposes of writing.

Rhetorical Appeal

Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Kairos. The appeal to emotions, credibility, logic, etc.

Rhetorical Device

A technique used to make a reader consider a topic from a different perspective.

Rhetorical Strategy

The effective use of rhetoric devices to prove a point.

Discourse

Written or spoken communication.

Mode of Discourse

Narration, description, exposition and argument.

Cause and Consequence

Cause and effect.

Narration

First person, second person, third person.

Anecdote

A usually short narrative or an interesting, amusing or biographical incident.

Definition

A statement of the exact meaning of a word.

Description

A spoken or written representation or account of a person, object or event.

Descriptive/Sensory details

Using the five senses in writing to improve it.

Classification and Division

Takes what you learned and proves the importance of it. (Batman isn't a superhero; he's a vigilante.)

Process Analysis

A method of writing development that gives a step-by-step.

Comparison and Contrast

Comparing two or more objects to see similarities and differences.

Juxtaposition

A literary device wherein the author places a person, concept, place, idea or theme parallel to another.

Exemplification

A pattern of essay development using examples to clarify a point.

Argument

The main statement of a poem, essay, short story or novel that the author uses to convince.

Ethical Appeal (Ethos)

Persuasion through credibility.

Logical Appeal (Logos)

Persuasion through logic.

Pathetic Appeal (Pathos)

Persuasion through emotion.

Syllogism

Deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, minor premise and conclusion.

Deductive Reasoning

A method of reasoning from the general to specific.

Inductive Reasoning

A method of reasoning that takes specific information and makes a broader generalization that is considered probable, but not always accurate.

Inference

Using background knowledge and observation to determine a conclusion that makes sense.

Tone

The general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.

Sarcasm

The use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

Attitude

A settled way of thinking of feeling about someone or something.

Mood

A temporary state of mind or feeling.

Diction

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

Style

A manner of doing something.

Prose

Written in spoken language in its ordinary form without metrical structure.

Denotation

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

Connotation

An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning,

Wit

Mental sharpness and inventiveness.

Aphorism

A pithy observation that contains a general truth.

Homily

A religious discourse that is intended primarily for spiritutal edification; a sermon.

Bombast

High-sounding language with little meaning.

Circumlocution

The use of many words when fewer would do.

Rhythm

A strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.

Parallelism

The use of successive verbal constructions