AP Language and Composition Terms

1. Allegory

A narrative in which characters, events, and settings symbolically represent abstract ideas or moral qualities.

2. Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely positioned words.

3. Allusion

An indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work.

4. Ambiguity

The presence of multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, in a word, phrase, or passage.

5. Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next.

6. Analogy

A comparison between two different things to highlight a similarity.

7. Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

8. Anecdote

A short, amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

9. Antecedent

The noun to which a pronoun refers.

10. Antithesis

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses.

11. Aphorism

A brief, witty statement that expresses a general truth or observation.

12. Apostrophe

A figure of speech in which the speaker addresses someone absent or something non

13. Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between related clauses or phrases.

14. Atmosphere

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work.

15. Chiasmus

A rhetorical reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses.

16. Clause

A grammatical unit with a subject and a verb. Can be independent or subordinate.

17. Conduplicatio

Repetition of a key word from a preceding clause or sentence at the beginning of the next.

18. Colloquialism

Use of informal or conversational language, often regionally specific.

19. Coherence

Logical and orderly presentation of ideas in writing.

20. Conceit

An extended metaphor that compares two vastly different things in a clever way.

21. Connotation

The implied or associated meaning of a word beyond its dictionary definition.

22. Denotation

The literal or dictionary definition of a word.

23. Diction

The author's word choice, which affects tone and meaning.

24. Didactic

Literature intended to instruct or teach a lesson.

25. Enumeratio

A rhetorical device in which a subject is divided into parts or details.

26. Expletive

An inserted word or short phrase that lends emphasis (e.g., “in fact,” “of course”).

27. Euphemism

A mild or less direct word or phrase used in place of one that may be harsh or offensive.

28. Exposition

Writing that explains or sets the background for the story or argument.

29. Extended Metaphor

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

30. Figurative Language

Language that is not meant to be taken literally; includes similes, metaphors, personification, etc.

31. Figure of Speech

An expression used for rhetorical or vivid effect, often involving figurative language.

32. Generic Conventions

Features that define a literary genre.

33. Genre

The major category into which a literary work fits (e.g., fiction, poetry, drama).

34. Homily

A sermon or moralistic lecture.

35. Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

36. Hypophora

A rhetorical strategy where the speaker asks a question and then answers it.

37. Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

38. Inference

A logical conclusion drawn from presented details.

39. Invective

Harsh, abusive language directed against a person or cause.

40. Irony

A contrast between appearance and reality, often highlighting the unexpected.

41. Juxtaposition

Placing two elements side by side to present a contrast.

42. Litotes

An understatement in which a positive is expressed by negating its opposite.

43. Loose Sentence

A sentence in which the main idea comes first, followed by dependent clauses.

44. Metaphor

A direct comparison of two unlike things by stating one is the other.

45. Metonymy

Substituting the name of one object with another closely related to it.

46. Mood

The emotional effect or atmosphere a work creates in the reader.

47. Narrative

A spoken or written account of events; a story.

48. Onomatopoeia

Words that imitate natural sounds.

49. Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.

50. Paradox

A statement that appears self

51. Parallelism

Using similar grammatical structures for clarity and rhythm.

52. Parody

A humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing.

53. Pedantic

Overly concerned with formal rules and trivial points of learning.

54. Periodic Sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning at the end.

55. Personification

Giving human traits to non

56. Polysyndeton

Deliberate use of many conjunctions in close succession.

57. Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told (first, second, third person, etc.).

58. Predicate Adjective

An adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject.

59. Predicate Nominative

A noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames the subject.

60. Prose

Ordinary written or spoken language, without metrical structure.

61. Repetition

Repeating a word or phrase for emphasis.

62. Rhetoric

The art of effective communication through language.

63. Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect, not meant to be answered.

64. Sarcasm

A form of verbal irony that mocks or conveys contempt.

65. Satire

A technique used to expose and criticize foolishness using humor, irony, or ridicule.

66. Semantics

The study of meaning in language.

67. Style

An author’s distinctive manner of expression through diction, syntax, and tone.

68. Subject Complement

A word or clause that follows a linking verb and complements the subject.

69. Subordinate Clause

A dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence.

70. Syllogism

A logical structure using a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.

71. Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent abstract ideas or qualities.

72. Synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole or vice versa.

73. Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases in writing.

74. Theme

The central idea or message in a literary work.

75. Thesis

The main argument or claim in a piece of writing.

76. Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through stylistic choices.

77. Transition

Words or phrases that provide a connection between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs.

78. Understatement

Deliberately presenting something as less important than it is.

79. Undertone

A subtle or underlying feeling or meaning beneath the surface tone.

80. Wit

Intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.