AP Terms

Active Voice

The subject of the sentence performs the action. Example: "Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house."

Allusion

An indirect reference to something, typically a literary text or other commonly known works.

Alter-ego

A character used by the author to speak the author's thoughts; distinct from persona.

Anecdote

A brief recounting of a relevant story, often used to develop a point or inject humor.

Antecedent

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

Classicism

Literature or art characterized by realism and traditional structures, as opposed to Romanticism.

Comic Relief

A humorous scene inserted into a serious story to lighten the mood.

Diction

Word choice, particularly as it influences style and meaning.

Colloquial

Ordinary or familiar conversation style; includes colloquialism, a familiar saying.

Connotation

Implied or suggested meaning of a word, beyond its literal definition.

Denotation

The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without connotations.

Jargon

Specialized language of a profession or group.

Vernacular

Everyday language of a particular region, group, or country.

Didactic

Writing intended to instruct or provide a moral lesson.

Adage

A folk saying with a lesson; similar to an aphorism or colloquialism.

Allegory

A story where characters, things, and events represent abstract ideas or truths.

Aphorism

A concise statement expressing a general truth or principle.

Ellipsis

Omission of words for effect, often marked by "...".

Euphemism

A less offensive or more agreeable substitute for a harsh or unpleasant term.

Figurative Language

Language not meant to be taken literally; opposite of literal language.

Analogy

A comparison between two sets of variables to highlight a relationship.

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for effect. Example: "My mother will kill me if I am late."

Idiom

A common, often-used expression that doesn't make literal sense.

Metaphor

An implied comparison without using 'like' or 'as.' Extended metaphors continue this comparison throughout a work.

Metonymy

Replacing a word or idea with a related term. Example: "The crown" for royalty.

Synecdoche

A type of metonymy where a part represents the whole, or vice versa.

Simile

A direct comparison using 'like' or 'as.'

Synesthesia

Description involving a crossing of the senses. Example: "A purplish scent filled the room."

Personification

Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.

Foreshadowing

Hints given by the author about what will occur later in the story.

Genre

A category of literature, such as prose, poetry, or drama.

Gothic

Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, and death; also an architectural style.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Invective

A violent, verbal attack using abusive language.

Irony

When the opposite of what you expect occurs.

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements side by side for comparison.

Mood

The atmosphere created by the author's word choice and details.

Motif

A recurring idea or theme in a literary work.

Oxymoron

A grouping of contradictory terms. Example: "Jumbo shrimp."

Pacing

The speed or tempo of an author's writing.

Paradox

A statement that appears contradictory but reveals truth.

Parallelism

Using grammatical structures or patterns for emphasis and organization.

Anaphora

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

Chiasmus

A reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses.

Antithesis

Contrasting ideas presented in parallel structure.

Zeugma

A word that modifies two others in different ways. Example: "He lost his coat and his temper."

Parenthetical Idea

An aside set off by parentheses.

Parody

An exaggerated imitation for humorous purposes.

Persona

The fictional narrator or character created by the author.

Poetic Devices

Techniques used in poetry to manipulate sound or meaning.

Exigence

The issue, problem, or situation that prompts someone to write or speak.

Clause

A grammatical unit with a subject and verb; includes independent and dependent clauses.