AP Lang-Vocab Quiz #1

Connotation

the secondary, implied, or suggested meaning of a word. The word “weasel” suggests negativity—a tendency to lie or cheat or steal.

Denotation

the actual, literal meaning of the word. Weasel simply means a slender, carnivorous mammal.

Diction

(word choice) a writer or speaker’s choice of words. Synonymous with style. Choosing the words “lied about” rather than “mistakenly stated” is a choice in diction.

Syntax

The grammatical order in which words are placed. It might be broken for effect.

Tone

The attitude the writer takes towards her subject, or in her writing. When describing tone, we use adjectives: angry, sarcastic, solemn, playful, timid, etc.

Explicit

Directly stated. Leaving no question about the meaning.

Implicit

implied, but not directly stated. Hinted at.

Infer

To deduce or conclude information based on facts or evidence—rather than being explicitly told.

Parallelism

similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases or clauses. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”

Periodic sentence

One in which the writer builds suspense by beginning with subordinate elements and postponing the main clause.

Cumulative sentence

one in which the subordinate elements come at the end to call attention to them.

Balanced sentence

one in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale. Both parts of the sentence have the same form. “If a liberated society will not help the weak, a liberated society cannot save the strong.”

Antithesis

Opposition or contrast of words or ideas within a balanced sentence. “Many are called, but few are chosen.” These words much be truly opposites: night/day, hot/cold, life/death, etc.

Analogy/analogous

a comparison of similar things—usually using something familiar to explain something unfamiliar. Water pipes for electrical circuits.

Qualification

(in argument or logic): A restriction in meaning or application. “Subject A’s premise would work very well under a totalitarian government, but in a democratic government, the premise seems unlikely to succeed.”

Logical Fallacies

Incorrect reasoning (often intentional) in argument. Fallacies often exploit emotional triggers in the anticipated audience. (There are many different logical fallacies; we will learn many by name this year.) EX. Argument: Cutting people is a crime. Surgeons cut people. Therefore, surgeons are criminals.

Metaphor

comparison not using like or as. Or, a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, esp. something abstract

Simile

comparison using like or as

Allusion

an indirect reference to something outside the text—usually another work of art.

Hyperbole

Obvious and intentional exaggeration—for rhetoric

Hypothetical Scenario

Giving you a possible situation that has not actually happened to explore an idea

Case-in Point/ Illustration

An example that illustrates the point the author is trying to prove

Visualization

Giving you a mental image of something

Comparison

consideration or estimate of the similarities or dissimilarities between two things or people.