AP LANG quiz #2 terms

Verbal Irony

When you say something and mean the opposite/something different

Dramatic Irony

When the audience of a drama, play, movie, etc. knows something that the character doesn't and would be surprised to find out.

Situational Irony

Found in the plot (or storyline) of a book, story, or movie. Sometimes it makes you laugh because it's funny how things turn out.

Denotation

The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.

Connotation

Rather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning.

Vernacular

1. Language or dialect of a particular country. 2. Language or dialect of a regional clan or group. 3. Plain everyday speech.

Mood

The atmosphere created by the literature and accomplished through word choice (diction). Syntax is often a creator of mood since word order, sentence length and strength and complexity also affect pacing and therefore mood. Setting, tone, and events can all affect the mood.

Juxtaposition

Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison. Authors often use juxtaposition of ideas or examples in order to make a point

Polysyndeton

When a writer creates a list of items which are all separated by conjunctions. Normally, a conjunction is used only before the last item in a list. Polysyndeton is often used to slow down the pace of the writing and/or add an authoritative tone.

Satire

A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of life to a humorous effect. It targets human vices and follies, or social institutions and conventions. Good satire usually has three layers: serious on the surface; humorous when you discover that it is satire instead of reality; and serious when you discern the underlying point of the author.