Terms on the AP Lang Exam

Active Voice

The subject of the sentence performs the action. Example: "Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house." The opposite is passive voice, where the subject of the sentence receives the action. Example: "The car was driven by Anthony."

Allusion

An indirect reference to something (usually a literary text, although it can be other things commonly known, such as plays, songs, or historical events) with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.

Alter-ego

A character used by the author to speak the author's own thoughts; when an author speaks directly to the audience through a character.

Anecdote

A brief recounting of a relevant episode, often used to develop a point or inject humor.

Antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. Example: "If I could command the wealth of all the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for it." "It" refers to "the wealth of all the world."

Classicism

Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures.

Comic Relief

When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story to lighten the mood.

Diction

Word choice

Colloquial

Ordinary or familiar conversation; informal language.

Connotation

The associations suggested by a word, rather than the dictionary definition (denotation).

Denotation

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

Jargon

The diction used by a group that practices a particular profession or activity. Example: lawyer's jargon.

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the people of a particular region or country.

Didactic

Literature intended to teach or inform the reader.

Periodic Sentence

A sentence in which the main idea is delayed until the end. Example: "His confidence broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet with perspiration, he doubted whether he could ever again appear before an audience."

Simple Sentence

A sentence containing only one independent clause.

Declarative Sentence

A sentence that makes a statement. Example: "The ball is round."

Imperative Sentence

A sentence that gives a command. Example: "Kick the ball."

Interrogative Sentence

A sentence that asks a question. Example: "To whom did you kick the ball?"

Style

The choices in diction, tone, and syntax made by the writer.

Symbol

Something concrete that represents something abstract.

Syntax

The grammatical arrangement of words. Sentence length, structure, and relationships between sentences are part of syntax.

Theme

The central idea or message of a work.

Thesis

The sentence or group of sentences that directly express the author's opinion, purpose, or proposition.

Tone

A writer's attitude toward the subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization.

Ethos

Persuading by using credibility or trustworthiness. The writer attempts to convince the audience that they are worth listening to.

Pathos

Persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions.

Logos

Persuading by using reasoning, valid arguments, and facts.

Fallacy

A flaw in reasoning that undermines an argument.

Ad Hominem

A fallacy that attacks the person making the argument rather than the argument itself.

Appeal to Authority

A fallacy that uses an authority figure as evidence in an argument, even if the authority is not relevant.

Appeal to the Bandwagon

A fallacy that suggests something is true or good because many people believe it.

Appeal to Emotion

A fallacy that uses emotional appeal instead of logic.

False Cause

A fallacy that assumes a false relationship between cause and effect.

Hasty Generalization

A fallacy that makes a conclusion based on insufficient evidence.

False Dichotomy

A fallacy that presents only two extreme options when more exist.

Slippery Slope

A fallacy that assumes an event will lead to a chain of extreme consequences.

Red Herring

A fallacy that introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the real issue.

Appeal to Ignorance

A fallacy that argues something is true because it has not been proven false.

Bandwagon Fallacy

A logical error assuming something is true because it is popular.

Tu Quoque

A fallacy that deflects criticism by accusing the other person of the same issue.

Ambiguity

The use of words or expressions with multiple meanings, leading to confusion.

Appeal to Tradition

A fallacy that assumes something is correct because it has always been done that way.

False Analogy

A fallacy comparing two situations that are not truly comparable.

Alliteration

The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in close proximity.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Chiasmus

A rhetorical device where two or more clauses are balanced against each other by reversal of their structure.

Cliché

An overused phrase or idea that has lost its original meaning or impact.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality, often used for humorous or emphatic effect.

Juxtaposition

The act of placing two things next to each other for comparison or contrast.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two things without using 'like' or 'as.'

Onomatopoeia

Words that imitate the natural sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms.

Paradox

an apparent contradiction that is nevertheless true

Parody

A humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature, art, or music.

Personification

The attribution of human characteristics to non-human things.

Polysyndeton

The use of multiple conjunctions between clauses or phrases.

Pun

A play on words.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect, with no expectation of an answer.

Satire

The use of humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize or mock something.

Syllogism

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

Zeugma

A figure of speech in which a word applies to multiple parts of the sentence.

Adage

A short, traditional saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice.

Aphorism

A concise statement of a principle or truth.

Ellipsis

The omission of one or more words that are implied by the context. (…)