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denotation

the strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color

diction

related to style, it refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

didactic

means “teaching”

these words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles

euphemism

more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant word or concept

extended metaphor

developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work

figure of speech

Device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. These include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche and understatement.

genre

The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, this is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called ___ themselves.

generic conventions

This term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, the differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing.

homily

This term literally means “sermon”, but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. These often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony.

imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, this uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory or olfactory imagery

allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence.

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical. There are many more possibilities, and a work may simultaneously use multiple layers of allusion.

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.

apostrophe

A figure or speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone or something that cannot answer. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity.

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in “she sells sea shells”). Although the term is not frequently in the multiple choice section, you can look for alliteration in any essay passage. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage.

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or in the relationship between them. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar. Analogies can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging.

antedecent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.

Luke came by cus he wanted food. (luke)

ambiguity

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

colloquial

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work of conversational, familiar tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.

connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. Connotations may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate clause, cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause. The point that you want to consider is the question of what or why the author subordinates one element should also become aware of making effective use of subordination in your own writing.

invention

author’s subtle shift of perspective

-new way of looking at smt

arrangement

the order in which ideas are placed in a piece of literature for the most impact

-not done for organizations sake

memory

ability to…

-access background information

-know the context or social situation of the piece (historical context or relevant paradigms)

style

author’s purposeful and unique manipulation of rhetorical devices

delivery

genre of the presentation

-article (magazine, journal, newspaper)

-essay (collection, publication)

-speech (commencement, eulogy, political, religious/educational seminar)

paradigm

accepted belief of a system

exigence

circumstance, the context/situation surrounding piece/topic

-urgent need or demand

-reason that makes the message important rn

purpose

what the author wants his/her intended audience to know or do

message

the main idea of the text/prose

-chief pt the author makes abt the subject, to which all other details and ideas relate

-merit of a message is dependent on its inventiveness

diction

words an author strategically chooses to achieve a particular purpose

-appropriate your intentions and audience

-denotation: straightforward meaning of a word

-connotation: emotional overtones of a word

-euphemism: more agreeable word substituted for an unpleasant one

-colloquialism: slang and use of familiar expressions

syntax

analysis of sentence construction

-examined as to how it contributes to and enhances the meaning and effect of the piece

-parallelism: arrangement of similarly constructed clauses or sentences

-repetition of sentence beginnings/endings

tone

author’s attitude toward the subject

narration

-tell story

-recounting series of events

-descriptive elements (imagery, metaphor, similes)

-pov

-dialogue

description

-show>tell

-illustrative, specific detail

-appeals to senses

exemplification

-providing several examples to illustrate/clarify one concept

-facts, specific cases

comparison contrast

-two ideas side by side to highlight similarities and/or differences

classification & division

-sorting material or ideas into major categories

definition

-explaining word, object, idea in way that reader knows precise meaning

-focuses on special qualities of word/phrase that set it apart

process analysis

-break down process into smaller steps

-clear transitions

-chronological/logical/sequential order

cause & effect

-establishes how an idea leads to another

-resulting consequence; if/then

-logic (deductive/inductive) or pattern