Terms – AP English Language and Composition

Allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.

Alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words.

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.

Ambiguity

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

Analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

Antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

Antithesis

The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.

Aphorism

A terse statement expressing a general truth or moral principle.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction.

Atmosphere

The emotional nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and the author’s choice of objects described.

Caricature

A verbal description that exaggerates or distorts a person’s distinctive physical features or characteristics for comic effect.

Clause

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

Colloquial/Colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.

Conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between dissimilar objects.

Connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.

Denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Diction

The writer’s word choices, especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Didactic

Words that have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially moral or ethical principles.

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.

Extended Metaphor

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

Figurative Language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

Figure of Speech

A device used to produce figurative language.

Generic Conventions

Traditions for each genre that help define and differentiate them.

Genre

The major category into which a literary work fits, such as prose, poetry, or drama.

Homily

A serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

Imagery

Sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

Inference/Infer

Drawing a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.

Invective

Emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

Irony/Ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant.

Litotes

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite.

Loose sentence/Non-periodic sentence

A type of sentence where the main idea comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units.

Metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things.

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for another closely associated with it.

Mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.

Narrative

The telling of a story or an account of events.

Onomatopoeia

Natural sounds imitated in the sounds of words.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech grouping apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

Paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory but contains some truth upon closer inspection.

Parallelism

Grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

Anaphora

Exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences.

Parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another for comic effect and/or ridicule.

Pedantic

Words, phrases, or tone that is overly scholarly or academic.

Periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.

Personification

Describing concepts, animals, or objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions.

Point of view

In literature, the perspective from which a story is told, such as first person narrator or third person narrator.

Prose

One of the major divisions of genre, referring to fiction and nonfiction writing.

Repetition

The duplication of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, or sentence.

Rhetoric

The principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively.

Rhetorical modes

The variety, conventions, and purposes of major kinds of writing, including exposition, argumentation, description, and narration.

Sarcasm

Bitter, caustic language meant to hurt or ridicule, involving irony but not all ironic statements are sarcastic.

Satire

A work targeting human vices and follies for reform or ridicule, using devices like irony, wit, parody, and sarcasm.

Semantics

The branch of linguistics studying the meaning of words, their development, connotations, and relations.

Style

The sum of an author's choices in blending literary devices, and the classification of authors based on their writing style.

Subject complement

The word or clause following a linking verb that complements the subject by renaming it (predicate nominative) or describing it (predicate adjective).

Subordinate clause

A clause that cannot stand alone and depends on a main clause to complete its meaning.

Syllogism

A deductive system of formal logic presenting two premises leading to a sound conclusion.

Symbol/Symbolism

Anything representing itself and standing for something else, categorized into natural, conventional, and literary symbols.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part of something is used to represent the whole or vice versa. For example, referring to a car as "wheels."

Synesthesia

When one sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another, like associating colors with tastes.

Syntax

The way an author structures and joins words into phrases, clauses, and sentences in writing.

Theme

The central idea or message of a work that offers insight into life, often unstated in fiction.

Thesis

In expository writing, the statement expressing the author's opinion, purpose, or position.

Tone

The author's attitude towards the subject matter or audience, influencing the overall feel of the writing.

Transition

Words or phrases that link different ideas or signal shifts in writing.

Understatement

Presenting something as less significant than it is, often for humorous or emphatic effect.

Wit

Intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights, showcasing verbal cleverness.

Ad Hominem Fallacy

Attacking a person's character or motive instead of their argument in logic.

Anecdote

A short, entertaining account of a personal or biographical event.

Anticlimax

A sudden shift from important to trivial in expression, often for humorous effect.

Appeal to Authority

Citing information from knowledgeable sources to strengthen an argument.

Cause and Effect

Examining the reasons and consequences of a situation or phenomenon.

Classification

Arranging objects into classes or categories based on shared characteristics.

Digression

A temporary departure from the main subject in speaking or writing.

Expository Writing

Nonfiction writing that explains or analyzes a topic.

False Dilemma

A logical fallacy where only a limited set of alternatives is considered, ignoring other possibilities.

Inverted Syntax

Reversing the normal word order in a sentence for emphasis or style.

Post Hoc Fallacy

Assuming that because one event precedes another, it caused the subsequent event.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect rather than to elicit an answer.

Simile

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using "like" or "as."

Syllogism

A form of reasoning with two premises leading to a logical conclusion.

Transcendentalism

Philosophical movement emphasizing self-reliance, spiritual intuition, and nature's perfection.

Existentialism

Philosophy focusing on individual responsibility for choices and existence.

Surrealistic

Having a dreamlike quality or being unrealistic in nature.

Rationalism

Philosophy based on reason, logic, and cause-effect relationships.

Polemical

Controversial, warlike, or argumentative in nature.