Ap lang terms

allegory

A device using character and story elements symbolically to represent abstractions beyond the literal meaning.

alliteration

The repetition of 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 of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage, either intentional or unintentional.

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 of known authorship expressing a general truth or moral principle.

apostrophe

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

atmosphere

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

caricature

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

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb, with independent and dependent classifications.

colloquial/colloquialism

The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.

conceit

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

connotation

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

denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word without any emotion, attitude, or color.

diction

The writer's word choices, especially in terms of correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

didactic

Words intended primarily for 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 throughout a work.

figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language, including apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, and simile.

generic conventions

Traditions for each genre that help define it and differentiate it from others.

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 for description or to arouse emotion.

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the presented information.

invective

An 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 making an affirmative point by denying its opposite.

loose sentence/non-periodic sentence

A sentence in which 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 substitutes another closely associated with it.

mood

The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.

narrative

The telling of a story or account of an event or series of events.

onomatopoeia

A figure of speech in which natural sounds are mimicked in the sounds of words.

oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms to suggest a paradox.

paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory but contains some degree of truth.

parallelism

The grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs for structural similarity.

anaphora

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

parody

A work that imitates the style of another with the aim of comic effect or ridicule.

pedantic

Describing language that is overly scholarly or bookish.

periodic sentence

A sentence that presents its central meaning at the end, preceded by dependent clauses.

personification

A figure of speech giving human attributes to concepts, animals, or inanimate objects.

point of view

The perspective from which a story is told.

prose

A major division of genre referring to fiction and nonfiction.

repetition

The duplication of any element of language.

rhetoric

The principles governing the art of writing effectively and persuasively.

rhetorical modes

The variety and conventions of the major kinds of writing, such as exposition or argumentation.

sarcasm

Bitter language intended to hurt or ridicule.

satire

A work targeting human vices or social institutions for reform or ridicule.

semantics

The branch studying the meaning of words and their relationships.

style

The evaluation of an author's choices in blending literary devices.

subject complement

The word or clause following a linking verb that complements the subject.

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 conclusion.

symbol/symbolism

Anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

synecdoche

A figure of speech using a part to represent the whole or vice versa.

synesthesia

When one sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experience of another.

syntax

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

theme

The central idea or message of a work.

thesis

The sentence or group of sentences expressing the author's opinion in expository writing.

tone

The author's attitude toward the material or audience.

transition

A word or phrase linking different ideas.

understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact, presenting something as less significant.

wit

Intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights.