Vocab #3 AP Eng Lang

Aphorism

A concise, witty statement that expresses a general truth or principle. Example: "Actions speak louder than words."

Apostrophe

A rhetorical device where a speaker directly addresses an absent person, an inanimate object, or an abstract idea. Example: "O Death, where is thy sting?"

Colloquial

Informal, everyday language or slang used in speech and writing. Example: "Y’all" instead of "you all."

Conceit

An extended metaphor that makes an unusual or surprising comparison between two vastly different things. Example: Comparing a loved one to a compass in John Donne’s poetry.

Didactic

Writing or speech intended to teach a lesson, often moral or philosophical. Example: Aesop’s fables.

Religious Appeal

A rhetorical strategy that invokes religious beliefs, values, or texts to persuade an audience. Example: A politician quoting the Bible to justify a law.

Epistrophe

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences. Example: "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression used to replace something harsh or unpleasant. Example: "Passed away" instead of "died."

Vernacular

The everyday language spoken by a particular group or region, as opposed to formal or literary language. Example: Using "soda" in some parts of the U.S. and "pop" in others.

Ambiguity

The presence of multiple meanings in a word, phrase, or passage, often leading to uncertainty. Example: "The bark was painful" (Could refer to a tree or a dog).

Exposition

Writing that explains or sets up background information in a story or argument. Example: The opening crawl in Star Wars that explains the backstory.

Homily

A sermon or speech that provides moral or spiritual guidance. Example: A priest’s Sunday message on kindness.

Invective

Harsh, insulting, or abusive language used to attack someone or something. Example: "You are a lazy, good-for-nothing fool!"

Periodic Sentence

A sentence that delays the main clause until the end, creating suspense. Example: "Despite the cold, the wind, and the rain, we continued to march."

Metonymy

A figure of speech where something is referred to by something closely associated with it. Example: "The White House issued a statement" (instead of "The President issued a statement").