AP Comp Diction Mr. Mooney

monosyllabic

one syllable word

polysyllabic

multiple syllable word

euphonious

pleasant sounding

cacophonous

unpleasant (harsh) sounding

literal

accurate without embellishment

figurative

comparison creating a pictorial effect

denotative

exact meaning

connotative

suggested, emotional meaning

objective

impersonal, unemotional

subjective

personal, emotional

active

states action

passive

states being

concrete

specific, tangible

abstract

conceptual, philosophical

hyperbole

deliberate exaggeration of fact

understated

deliberate misinterpretation of less

pedestrian

layman's terms

pedantic

boorish, inflated language

vulgarity

language deficient in taste and refinement

slang

vernacular speech sometimes humorous, exaggerated, or shortened for effect

colloquial/dialect

regional, provincial

jargon

specific to a field or profession

cliche

language used so often it has lost its freshness and clarity.

informal/standard

correct but conversational

formal

appropriate for more formal occasions

assonance

repetition of similar vowel sounds in closely associated words.

consonance

repetition of similar consonant sounds in closely associated words.

alliteration

repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely associated words.

onomatopoeia

words whose pronunciation suggests the meaning.