AP LANG terms 1-6

quiz

Trope

The use of language in a non-literal way; also called a figure of speech

diction

word choice

scheme

pattern of words or sentence construction used for rhetorical effect

Ex. Parallelism

syntax

sentence structure

Style

distinctive quality of speech or writing created by the selection and arrangement of words and figures of speech

repetition

repeating a word or phrase within a sentence or poetical line in order to emphasize an idea

parallelism

the repetition of similar grammatical or syntactical patterns

Ex. I came, I saw, I conquered

Antithesis

Parallel structure that juxtaposes contrasting ideas

Ex. Money is the root of all evils; poverty is the fruit of all goodness

Juxtaposition

placement of 2 things side by side for emphasis

Rhetoric

study of effective, persuasive language use

speaker

term for author or person’s perspective

purpose

intention or objective in the writing

Audience

one’s listener or readership

context

set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event

exigence

urgent problem or issue

choices

moves a writer makes to enrich his/her writing

appeals

rhetorical strategies, specifically 3: logos, pathos, and ethos

tone

speaker’s attitude

logos

Greek term for “word”; logic

pathos

Effort to incite empathy

ethos

Character of a person; ethics

narration

recalling an event or series of events

description

Many specific details; painting a picture

exemplification

provides series of examples

comparison/contrast

juxtaposes 2 things to highlight similarities and differences

classification/division

writing that sorts ideas or materials into major categories

definition

establishes common ground or identifies areas of conflict

cause/effect

analyzes the causes that lead to a certain event

process analysis

explains how something works

Cumulative sentence

Independent clause followed by subordinate clauses or phrase that supply additional detail

Ex. She cautiously walked to the door, wary of what blah

periodic sentence

sentence builds toward and ends with main clause

Ex. Wary of blah, she cautiously walked to the door.

hortative sentence/ hortatory

sentence that urges or strongly encourages

inverted sentence/ inversion

sentence in which the verb precedes the subject

Ex. Always in motion is the future

rhetorical question

Question asked more to produce an effect that to summon an answer

alliteration

repetition of the same sound or letter

anaphora

repetition of words at the beginning

antimetabole

repetition of words in an inverted order for contrast

simile

like or as for comparison

metaphor

as though one thing is something else to make a comparison

imagery

vivid use of language

Allusion

indirect reference

asyndeton

leaving out stuff between words

polysyndeton

Use of a series of conjunctions

hyperbole

exaggeration for emphasis

irony

Contradiction between what is said and what is meant

metonymy

metaphoric use of something to represent the whole

oxymoron

combines 2 contradictory terms

Paradox

Seems contradictory but is true

personification

making things seem human

Zeugma

1 word modifies 2 or more words

Anecdote

short and amusing or interesting story about someone or an incident

allegory

story, poem, or picture that has a hidden meaning, especially historical, political, etc.

analogy

comparison of 2 things, mainly on structure or purpose: metaphors and similes are specific types

antecedent

word, phrase, or clause that is referred to as a pronoun

connotation

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

denotation

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

didactic

writing that is intended to teach or instruct

euphemism

Greek for “good speech”; a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept

• ex. Earthy remains instead of corpse

Mood

Prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work, determined or affected by setting, tone, and events

parody

work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule

satire

work that targets human vices and follies (foolish, silly behavior and bad values) or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule