AP Lang Terms

Paraprosdokian (def)

A figure of speech where the last part of a sentence is said in such a surprising way it makes the reader reinterpret the entire meaning of the first part of the sentence

Polemic/invective (def)

An aggressive argument or insult against something. It's often used when discussing a controversial topic.

enthymeme (definition)

An argument where one piece (the essential piece) is not stated. It's used to allow the audience to make inferences.

hysteron proteron (definition)

A rhetorical device in which the the first key word of the sentence is what should be the last key word in the sentence.

Paraprosdokian (example)

They called me Kid Gorgeous. Later on, it was Kid Presentable. Then Kid Gruesome. And finally, Kid Moe.

I haven't watched TV for 4 days, that would be too long.

Hysteron Proteron (example)

Let us die, and charge into the fight.

Okay everybody, we need to graduate and do well on this test.

allusion (def)

a reference, explicit or implicit, to something in previous literature or history

allusion (ex)

Sally had a smile rivaled only by that of the Mona Lisa

just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall

zeugma (def)

literary device that uses one word to modify two or more objects: at least one literal and one figurative

zeugma (ex)

"[They] covered themselves with dust and glory." The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Dumbledore was striding serenely across the room wearing long midnight-blue robes and a perfectly calm expression.
...she brought the cup to each of the Company, and bade them drink and farewell

Plain Folk Appeal (def)

When the speaker presents him or herself as an average Joe — a common person who can understand and empathize with a listener's concerns

Archaism (ex)

By my oath, I shall never desert thee in thy hour of need.

synecdoche (ex)

Using Coke to describe soft drinks or England to describe the UK.

All hands on deck

Lend me your ears

apostrophe (def)

When the speaker breaks off and addresses a party not physically present. It is common for these to address an absent party, inanimate object, or abstract idea

apostrophe (ex)

"Life, please don't be cruel to me today"
Juliet: O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust and let me die.
Send me a sign, Apollo.

enthymeme (ex)

Of course this cake is delicious. I made it.

syllogism (ex)

You always compliment your mother's baking. Your mother made this cake. You will say that the cake is well made.

inversion (ex)

We sought a day good after so many difficult

rhetorical halo (ex)

Spreading the idea that wearing a mask shows dedication to fighting the pandemic—you reveal your compassionate nature with this symbol.

In order to convince more military personnel to get a smallpox vaccine, the administration worked to place a _____ on the idea of scars.

gustatory (ex)

Crisp ends of the oil-saturated, salt-imbued bits at the bottom of the fry box offered a savory end to my unhealthy meal.

Kairos (ex)

A president chooses to make a speech about the importance of gun safety in the aftermath of a tragic massacre.

Mixed Metaphor (ex)

Let's not make mountains out of molehills by beating this horse to death.

litotes (def)

An understatement of a positive statement using a negation of a negative expression.

litotes (ex)

That car is not unclean.

Mythos (ex)

The Declaration of Sentiments appeals to America's _____ by alluding to its founding documents.

American Exceptionalism, which promotes American superiority through the use of references to rugged individualism, liberties and freedoms, and democracy.

Plain Folk Appeal (def)

When the speaker presents him or herself as an average Joe — a common person who can understand and empathize with a listener's concerns

Kairos (def)

a rhetorical strategy that considers the timeliness of an argument or message. The term comes from the Greek for "right time," "opportunity," or "season."

Metonymy (ex)

The crime scene was officially out of my jurisdiction when the suits arrived

inversion (def)

The syntactical reversal of the normal order of words or phrases in a sentence.

Syllogism (def)

A logical deduction tool that proves the correctness of a third premise if two other premises are accepted as true.

Bombast (ex)

The effervescence of the temperate autumn air offers an inimitable sense of contentment when I take a postprandial perambulation.

Bombast (def)

The use of overly complex diction that is unnecessary to convey meaning.

gustatory (def)

The use of imagery meant to evoke the sense of taste.

Mixed Metaphor (def)

The nonsensical and often humorous blending of two figurative phrases.

Mythos (def)

The traditional narrative that exists around a country, person, culture, etc.

Polemic/invective (ex)

The establishment Republicans have buckled, caved, and bowed to the Democrats, or should I say, Demon-rats. That's what I said, Demon-rats!"

Hypophora (ex)

After all, what's a life, anyway? We are born, we live a little while, we die.

Hypophora (def)

Asking a question and immediately answering it.

Periodic (def)

a sentence that is strategically structured to where the main point is at the end.

Periodic Sentence (ex)

After great tribulation, surmounting countless obstacles and affording ourselves little rest, we won.

aphorism (ex)

A small truth can hide a great lie.

aphorism (def)

A concise statement which expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance

Hypallage (def)

Also known as a transferred epithet, is the trope in which a modifier, usually an adjective, is applied to the "wrong" word in the sentence.

Hypallage (ex)

"I lighted a thoughtful cigarette" (P.G. Wodehouse, The Code of the Woosters, 1938)
He danced the happy road home

Satire (def)

A literary/musical work for comedic ridicule of the original concept

Satire (ex)

Alec Baldwin impersonates Donald Trump in an attempt to highlight his flaws and ridicule him.

allegory (def)

a narrative in which a character, place, or an event is used to relay a broader message of real life issues.

allegory (ex)

In the book Animal Farm, the farm is ran in a specific way in order to symbolize the Soviet's control during the Russian Revolution.

Understatement (def)

the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

Understatement (ex)

September 11th is not our countries happiest anniversary.

Euphemism (def)

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

Euphemism (ex)

Passed away instead of died
Let someone go instead of fired them
Between jobs instead of unemployed

Auxesis (def)

a gradual increase in the intensity of meaning with words arranged in ascending order of force or importance

Auxesis (Ex)

This battle could save our town, could turn the tide of battle, could end the war and save our nation.

Chiasmus/Antimetabole (def)

a sentence strategy in which the arrangement of ideas in the second clause is a reversal of the first

Chiasmus/Antimetabole (ex)

Never kiss a fool; Never let a kiss fool you.

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

Aporia (ex)

And ain't I a woman? Look at me! [...] I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Aporia (def)

expressing doubt, whether genuine or not, to help prove the speaker's point

Jargon (def)

specific language used in a field to convey information; words and usage not commonly known to outsiders

Jargon (ex)

Use the ATC for partner belay whether you are top roping or lead climbing.

epistrophe (ex)

I will have a picnic when I have time, see my friends when I have time, and learn the lessons of carpe diem to their fullest...when I have time.

I'm tired of the virus. I hate the virus. I'm done with the virus!

epistrophe (def)

Repetition of words at the end of clauses or sentences

metonymy (def)

the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant

Synecdoche (def)

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

Hortative (def)

sentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action

Hortative (ex)

I need you to go out today and give the best effort of your lives as we take on Collins Hill.

The research paper is a daunting task, but you can do this. Give it your full effort and make yourself proud of what you produce.