Prose terms

for AP Lang

Absrtraction

A concept or value that cannot be seen which the writer usually tries to illustrate by comparing it metaphorically to a known, concrete object. Sometimes this knowledge is hidden or esoteric because it is only known by or meant for a select few.

allegory

A story or description that has a second meaning. This is portrayed by creating characters, setting, and/or events which represent abstract ideas.

alliteration

the repetition at close intervals of initial consonant sounds.

allusion

Refers to literary, artistic, scientific, or historical people, places, or things by the author to convey tone, purpose, or effect.

ambiguity

The expression of an idea in such a way that more than one meaning is suggested. (All AP passages have some of this)

anecdote

a brief story used in an essay to illustrate a point.

Antagonist

the force or person working against the protagonist. the villain is an antagonist.

aphorism

a brief, sometimes clever saying that expresses a principle, truth, or observation about life.

assertion

a categorical statement made by the author, speaker, narrator, or character which generalizes an opinion usually about human nature.

attitude

The author’s state of mind or point of view toward himself/herself or another person, place, or thing.

characterization

*ask about definition*

Comparison and Contrast

Showing similarities and/or differences.

conclusion

usually written to reaffirm or finally state the thesis.

conflict

the tension created in the story by the struggle or the outcome of the struggle—one of the narrative devices to address when analyzing the tone of the passage.

contrast

a literary technique in which the author examines two opposites to create an attitude, accomplish a purpose of effect, or to make an assertion

deduction

the act of drawing a conclusion from known facts or general principles.

description

using vivid words to paint a picture of what the five senses are experiencing.

diction

Word choice used by the author to persuade or to convey tone, purpose, or effect.

dialogue

conversation between people

didactic

type of writing that is preachy or bossy.

dilemma

a type of conflict in which both choices have some negative connotations

economy

a style of writing characterized by conciseness and brevity.

effect

the influence or result of something, using such rhetorical strategies as arguments, assumptions, attitudes, contrast, diction, imagery, pacing, or repetition.

Epigram

a short, witty statement, often with a clever twist of thought. Certain lines of poetry could have this effect.

euphemism

describing something distasteful in a positive way.

euphony

a choice and arrangement of words that creates a pleasant sound.

exposition

one of four major forms of writing, in which explanations are set forth.

foreshadowing

A literary technique in which the author gives hints about furtue events.

foil

a character who contrasts another character

flashback

One aspect of narrative structure in which the writer goes back in time to reveal past historical events.

hyperbole

A figure of speech in which the author uses overexaggeration or overstatement to create a certain effect, accomplish a particular purpose or reveal an attitude

imagery

Diction describing the senses used by the author to convey tone, purpose, or effect

irony

a literary device used by authors, playwrights, and poets in which the writer implies a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, between what happens and what is expected to happen, or between what a character in a play thinks and what the audience knows to be true.

juxtaposition

placing two unlike persons, places or things next to each other to create an effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplish a purpose.

manipulation of language

a skillful handling of diction and syntax used by the author to convey tone, purpose, or effect.

metaphor

a direct comparison in which an unknown item is understood by directly comparing it to a known item. Can be stated or implied.

narrative structure

A chronology of events, plot, conflict, characterization, setting, and other elements of storytelling to convey tone, purpose, or effect.

narrator

the person telling the story.

Naturalism

a Nineteenth-century literary movement that carried realism to a negative extreme.

organization

The process of arranging evidence to support a thesis.

pacing

The rate of movement of a story.

parallel structures

a stylistic technique in which items in a series are created with identical grammatical structures.

paradox

a statement or situation that appears contradictory but is true.

parody

a rewriting of a popularly recognized work to make fun of something,

personification

a figure of speech in which inanimate objects are given human qualities.

persuasion

writing which appeals to the reader’s emotions and value systems, enocuraging the reader to adopt an attitude or change a position.

plausibility

point-by-point

point of view

realism

relevance

resolution

rhetorical purpose

rhetorical structure

rhetorical strategy

rhetorical shift

rhetorical question

romanticism

satire

setting

symbol

syntax

theme

tone

transcendentalism

wit