AP lang 1st 20 terms

Allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. An author may intend the characters to personify and abstraction like hope or freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence

Alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial constant sounds in two or more neighboring words. The term is not frequently in the multiple choice section, but you can look for it in any essay passage. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. They can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical.

Ambiguity

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, or a word, phrase, sentence, or passage

Analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. It can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar. It can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging

antecedent

the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. the exam occasionally asks for the this term of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.

Antithesis

The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite

Aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. it can be a memorable summation of the author’s point

Apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. It’s an address to someone or something that cannot answer. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity

Atmosphere

The emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author’s choice of objects that are described. It frequently foreshadows events, and can create a mood

Caricature

A verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person’s distinctive physical features or other characteristics

Clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.

Colloquial/Colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone. They include local or regional dialects

Conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. It displays intellectual cleverness as a result of the unusual comparison being made

Connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. May involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes

Denotation

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

Diction

Related to style, it refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. This, combined with syntax, figurative language, literary devices, etc., creates an author’s style.

Didactic

In Greek it means “teaching”. These words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles

Euphemism

From the Greek for “good speech”, they are a more agreeable or less offensive substitution for a generally unpleasant word or concept. It may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatements

Extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work

Alliteration example

“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” The repeated p sound creates rhythm.

Analogy example

“Studying for a test is like training for a marathon; both require preparation and endurance.” comparing the test and marathon prep

Antecedent example

“Maria forgot her homework.” Maria is the antecedent of her.

Atmosphere example

A dark forest, howling wind, and creaking branches create a frightening atmosphere.

Denotation example

The denotation of “snake” is a legless reptile.