Terms – AP English Language and Composition

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.

alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely positioned words or phrases, often used to create rhythm or emphasis in poetry and prose.

allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art, often used to enhance meaning or context.

ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; in literature, it often refers to language that can be understood in multiple ways, creating richness or complexity in meaning.

analogy

A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification, illustrating how they are alike in certain aspects.

antecedent

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. A question from the 2001 AP test as an example follows

antithesis

the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposi

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 of 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.

atmosphere

The emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author’s choice of objects that are described. Even such elements as a description of the weather can contribute to the atmosphere. Frequently atmosphere foreshadows events. Perhaps it can create a mood.

caricature

A strikingly exaggerated portrayal of a character or situation, often used for comic effect or criticism.

clause

A group of words containing a subject and a predicate, which can be independent or dependent.

colloquial/colloquialism

A word or phrase used in informal speech or writing that reflects everyday language, often specific to a region or group.

conceit

An elaborate or extended metaphor that compares two very dissimilar things, often used in poetry.

connotation

The implied or suggested meaning of a word or phrase, beyond its literal definition, often shaped by cultural or emotional associations.

denotation

the literal or primary meaning of a word, as opposed to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.

diction

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing, which can affect the tone and clarity of the message.

didactic

Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.

euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one that may be considered harsh or blunt.

extended metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things that extends throughout a piece of writing, often to illustrate a concept or theme.

figurative language

Language that uses figures of speech to convey meaning beyond the literal interpretation, including metaphors, similes, and personification.

figure of speech

a word or phrase used in a non-literal sense to create a rhetorical effect.

generic conventions

The traditional features and elements that define a particular genre of literature, such as themes, styles, and narrative structures.

genre

a category of literature that shares specific characteristics and conventions.

homily

a sermon or speech that provides moral guidance or instruction.

hyperbole

an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally.

imagery

descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures.

inference/infer

the process of drawing logical conclusions from available information or evidence.

invective

a strong, abusive language used to criticize or insult.

irony

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, often for humorous or emphatic effect.

litotes

a figure of speech that employs understated language to emphasize a point by denying its opposite, often using double negatives.

loose sentence/non-periodic sentence

a type of sentence structure that presents its main idea at the beginning, followed by additional information or clauses, allowing for a more conversational or flowing style.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other,suggesting some similarity. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.

metonymy

a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, often used to create vivid imagery.

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood. Mood is similar to tone and atmosphere.

narrative

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

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur.

oxymoron

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction, creating a paradoxical effect.

paradox

A statement that contradicts itself but may reveal a deeper truth or insight.

parallelism

refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural  similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal  phrase.

anaphora

A sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines  or sentences. MLK used anaphora in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech (1963).

parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. It  exploits peculiarities of an author’s expression

pedantic

Excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overly academic in tone.

periodic sentence

A sentence that delays its main clause until the end, creating suspense and emphasizing the concluding idea.

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. Personification is used to make these abstractions, animals, or objects  appear more vivid to the reader.  

point of view

The perspective from which a story is told, influencing how readers perceive the narrative and characters.

prose

Written language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure, often characterized by its straightforward expression.

repetition

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause,  sentence, or grammatical pattern

rhetoric

 From the Greek for “orator,” this term describes the principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and  persuasively. 

rhetorical modes

The various strategies and techniques used in writing to convey ideas and persuade audiences, including exposition, narration, description, and argumentation.

sarcasm

From the Greek meaning “to tear flesh,” sarcasm involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule  someone or something. It may use irony as a device, but not all ironic statements are sarcastic

satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Regardless of  whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, satire is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for  writing

semantics

The study of meaning in language, including the relationships between words, phrases, and their meanings.

style

An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other  literary devices.

subject complement

A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and describes or renames the subject of the sentence.

subordinate clause

subordinate clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete  thought. Also called a dependent clause, the subordinate clause depends on a main clause (or independent clause) to  complete its meaning

syllogism

A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises).

symbol/symbolism

 Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else. Usually a symbol is something  concrete -- such as an object, action, character, or scene – that represents something more abstract. However, symbols  and symbolism can be much more complex.

synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa.

synesthesia

 when one kind of sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another. Ex: The sight of red ants makes  you itchy. In literature, synesthesia refers to the practice of associating two or more different senses in the same image.  Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song title,“Taste the Pain,” is an example

syntax

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Syntax is similar to diction, but you can  differentiate them by thinking of syntax as groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words. In the multiple choice section of the AP exam, expect to be asked some questions about how an author manipulates syntax. In the essay  section, you will need to analyze how syntax produces effects.  

theme

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually theme is unstated in fictional works, but in  nonfiction, the theme may be directly state, especially in expository or argumentative writing. 

thesis

In expository writing, the thesis statement is the sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author’s  opinion, purpose, meaning, or position. Expository writing is usually judged by analyzing how accurately, effectively,  and thoroughly a writer has proven the thesis.

tone

Similar to mood, tone describes the author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. Tone is easier to determine  in spoken language than in written language. Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in  identifying an author’s tone.

transition

A word or phrase that links different ideas. Used especially, although not exclusively, in expository and  argumentative writing, transitions effectively signal a shift from one idea to another. A few commonly used transitional  words or phrases are furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, for example, in addition, likewise, similarly, on the  contrary, etc

understatement

 the ironic minimalizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is. The effect can  frequently be humorous and emphatic. Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole. Example: Jonathan Swift’s A Tale  of a Tub: “Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her person for the worse.”

wit

in modern usage, intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. A witty statement is humorous, while  suggesting the speaker’s verbal power in creating ingenious and perceptive remarks. Wit usually uses terse language that  makes a pointed statement. Historically, wit originally meant basic understanding. Its meaning evolved to include speed  of understanding, and finally, it grew to mean quick perception including creative fancy and a quick tongue to articulate  an answer that demanded the same quick perception.