AP Terms #2

Allusion

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

Anecdote

A brief recounting of a relevant episode. Often inserted into fictional or non fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.

Antecedent

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

Diction

Word choice, particularly as an element of style. Different types of words have significant effects on meaning.

Colloquial

Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.

Jargon

The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.

Didactic

A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.

Allegory

A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts.

Aphorism

A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle.

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. Sometimes they are used for political correctness.

Analogy

a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables..

Hyperbole

Exaggeration

Idiom

A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally. “

Metaphor

Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.

Simile

Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very different things.

Imagery

Word or words that create a picture in the reader's mind. Usually this involves the five senses.

Juxtaposition

Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison.

Motif

a recurring idea in a piece of literature.

Oxymoron

When apparently contradictory terms are grouped together and suggest a paradox – “wise fool,” “eloquent silence,” “jumbo shrimp.”

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory situation which is actually true.

Symbol

Anything that represents or stands for something else. Usually a symbol is something concrete such as an object, actions, character…that represents something more abstract.