English Honors AP Language Vocab

Ambiguity

The multiple meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage (Intentional or Unintentional)

Anecdote

A short, personal story about a funny, interesting, or memorable experience that helps illustrate a point or entertain listeners.

Antecedent

A word or phrase that a later word (like a pronoun) refers to or replaces in a sentence. For example, in "John lost his book," "John" is the … of "his."

Antithesis

A contrast or opposite between two ideas, often used to create emphasis or highlight differences. It places two contrasting concepts side by side to create a striking effect, like "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

Aphorism

A short, wise saying that expresses a general truth or observation about life. It's a memorable, concise statement that offers insight, like "Honesty is the best policy" or "Knowledge is power."

Apostrophe

When a speaker directly addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or an inanimate object as if it were present and could listen. For example, "O Death, where is thy sting?" or "Love, why have you abandoned me?"

Asyndeton

A writing technique where conjunctions (like "and" or "or") are deliberately left out between a series of related words or phrases. This creates a quick, punchy rhythm. Example: "I came, I saw, I conquered" instead of "I came, and I saw, and I conquered."

Chiasmus

A writing technique where words or ideas are repeated in reverse order to create a memorable, striking effect. For example, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." The structure creates a [Greek] “criss-cross” pattern.

Clause

A group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can be part of a sentence or a complete sentence itself. There are two main types: independent clauses (can stand alone) and dependent clauses (need another clause to make sense).

Colloquial/colloquialism

Informal, conversational speech used in everyday situations. It includes slang, casual expressions, and phrases people use when talking with friends. For example, saying "What's up?" instead of "How are you?" or "gonna" instead of "going to."

Coherence

How well ideas in a piece of writing flow together and make sense. It means the text is logically organized, with clear connections between sentences and paragraphs, so readers can easily understand the message without getting confused.

Conceit

An unusual, elaborate comparison between two very different things that seems far-fetched but is clever and imaginative. In poetry, it's an extended metaphor that makes a surprising or unexpected connection, often used to describe love or emotions in a unique way.

Diacope

A literary technique where a word or phrase is repeated with one or more words in between. It creates emphasis and rhythm. A famous example is "Bond. James Bond." The repetition draws attention to the phrase and adds emotional intensity. (Think: Dramatic Echo)

Didactic

(Greek - “teaching”) Something that is meant to teach or provide instruction. It's usually used to describe writing, art, or media that has a clear educational purpose, aiming to explain a moral lesson or provide knowledge in a direct, obvious way. A textbook or a fable that teaches a life lesson would be considered didactic.

Enumeratio

Writing technique where you list out details or parts of something to create a complete or vivid description. It's like breaking down a topic into specific points, emphasizing each part to give a full, comprehensive picture. Think of it as providing a detailed inventory of ideas or characteristics.

Litotes

[Greek - Simple/plain] A way of saying something by saying what it is not. It's an understatement that uses a negative to suggest a positive meaning. For example, saying "She's not bad at singing" actually means "She's good at singing." It's a subtle way of making a point by using the opposite of what you mean.

Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things that share a similar quality, without using "like" or "as". It describes something by directly saying it is something else. For example, "Life is a roller coaster" suggests life has ups and downs, twists and turns, just like a roller coaster ride.

Metonymy

[Greek - changed label] Metonymy is when you use something closely associated with a thing to represent the thing itself. For example, saying "The Crown" means the monarchy, or "Hollywood" to represent the film industry. It's like using a related symbol or item to stand in for the whole concept.

Onomatopoeia

A word that sounds like the noise it describes. Examples include "buzz" for a bee, "splash" for water, "meow" for a cat, or "boom" for an explosion. These words create a sound effect that mimics the actual sound, making writing or speech more vivid and expressive.

Oxymoron

[Greek - Pointedly Foolish] A phrase that combines two words that seem to contradict each other, creating a surprising or interesting effect. Examples include "deafening silence," "living dead," or "jumbo shrimp." It's a way of using opposite ideas together to create a new, thought-provoking meaning.

Paradox

A statement that seems impossible or contradictory, but might actually be true when you think about it more deeply. It's something that appears to go against logic but could reveal a deeper meaning. For example, "Less is more" or "The only constant is change" are paradoxical statements that make you pause and reconsider your understanding.

Parallelism

A writing technique where you use similar grammatical structures or patterns in a sentence or paragraph. It creates a balanced, rhythmic flow by repeating the same grammatical form. For example, "I came, I saw, I conquered" or "She likes swimming, hiking, and running." This technique makes writing more memorable and impactful.

Parody

A humorous imitation of something serious, like a book, movie, or style, that exaggerates its features to make fun of it. It uses comedy to mock or criticize the original work. Think of a comedy sketch that takes a famous movie and makes it silly by over-emphasizing its most recognizable characteristics.

Pedantic

To be overly concerned with minor details or rules, often in a way that's annoying or shows off one's knowledge. It's when someone is too precise or academic, focusing on small, unimportant points instead of the main idea. Imagine a person who constantly corrects grammar or interrupts conversations to provide unnecessary technical information. {Sheldon Cooper}

Polysyndeton

A writing style where you use multiple conjunctions (like "and" or "or") in a series, even when they're not necessary. Instead of saying "apples, oranges, bananas," you'd say "apples and oranges and bananas." This technique creates a dramatic, rhythmic effect and can make writing feel more emotional or intense.

Prose

The standard form of written language that follows ordinary grammatical structure, without using rhythm or rhyme like poetry. It's the way most books, articles, and everyday writing are composed. Think of how you naturally speak or write in paragraphs - that's ... Novels, essays, and news articles are all examples of prose.

Repetition

A writing technique where you deliberately repeat words, phrases, or sounds to create emphasis or rhythm. It helps reinforce a message, make writing more memorable, or create a powerful emotional effect. For example, in Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech, he repeats "I have a dream" to strengthen his message and make it more impactful.

Rhetoric

[Greek - Orator] The skill of using words in a powerful way to convince people or make your point. It's about choosing the right words and speaking style to make your message stronger and more interesting. Think of it like a communication superpower that helps you express ideas more effectively.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked not to get an answer, but to make a point or create an effect. It's used to emphasize something or make people think. For example, saying "Who doesn't love pizza?" isn't looking for a real response, but suggesting that everyone loves pizza. Rhetorical questions are a way to engage listeners or readers by making them think.

Sarcasm

A form of humor where you say the opposite of what you mean to mock or criticize something. It's often used with a mocking or bitter tone. For example, if someone does something silly, you might say "Great job!" in a way that clearly means the opposite. Sarcasm uses irony to make fun of a person or situation.

Satire

A type of humor that uses wit, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or expose human flaws, foolishness, or societal problems. It aims to make people think about serious issues by making them laugh. TV shows like "The Simpsons" or "South Park" often use satire to comment on politics, social issues, or human behavior in a funny but critical way.

Semantics

The study of meaning in language. It looks at how words, phrases, and sentences communicate ideas. Semantics explores why words can have different meanings in different contexts and how people understand language. For example, the word "cool" can mean temperature or something trendy, depending on how it's used.

Syllogism

[Greek - Reckoning Together] A type of logical argument that uses two statements (premises) to reach a conclusion. It follows a basic "if A is true, and B is true, then C must be true" structure. For example: All dogs are animals. Spot is a dog. Therefore, Spot is an animal. It's a way of reasoning that helps prove a point step by step.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part of something represents the whole. For example, saying "wheels" to mean a car, or "hands" to mean workers. It's like using a small piece to stand in for the entire thing. This technique helps create more vivid and interesting language by using a specific detail to represent a larger concept.

Syntax

How a writer puts words together to create meaning. Think of it like building with Lego blocks - how you stack and connect them changes what you create. It's about the order and groups of words, not just the words themselves. When you read, pay attention to how the writer arranges words to make their writing sound interesting or create a specific feeling.

Understatement

When you purposely make something sound less important or serious than it really is. It's like saying "It's a bit chilly" when it's actually freezing outside, or "That was interesting" when something was actually amazing or shocking. People use understatement to be funny, show humor, or downplay a situation.

Undertone

A subtle, underlying meaning or feeling that isn't directly stated. It's like the quiet message hiding beneath the surface of what someone is saying. For example, someone might say "That's fine" with a tone that really means they're upset. Undertones can communicate emotions or attitudes without using direct words.

Wit

The ability to say clever, funny things quickly and smartly. It's like having a sharp, quick sense of humor that makes people laugh through intelligent or unexpected comments. A witty person can make jokes that are clever and surprising, often using wordplay or intelligent observations to create humor.

Zeugma

A language trick where one word is used to describe two different things in a sentence, often in a funny or surprising way. For example, "She looked at the object with suspicion and a magnifying glass" where “with” is used differently for each part of the sentence. It's a playful way of using words that can make language more interesting and humorous.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or phrase used to replace a harsher or more direct one. It's like using a softer way to talk about something uncomfortable or unpleasant. For example, saying "passed away" instead of "died," or "let go" instead of "fired." Euphemisms help people communicate sensitive topics more gently.

Hyperbole

An extreme exaggeration used for effect. It's when you say something in a huge, over-the-top way that isn't literally true. For example, saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" or "I've told you a million times." People use hyperbole to add humor, emphasis, or drama to what they're saying.

Inference/infer

To make a smart guess or conclusion based on evidence and clues, not just direct information. It's like being a detective who figures something out by putting together hints and background information. When you infer, you read between the lines and use your thinking skills to understand something that isn't explicitly stated.

Invective

Harsh, angry language used to criticize or insult someone. It's like a verbal attack that uses strong, negative words to express extreme dislike or disapproval. For example, someone using invective might call another person mean names or use very insulting language to express their anger or frustration.

Irony/ironic

When something happens that's the opposite of what you'd expect, often in a funny or surprising way. It's like when a situation turns out differently than planned, in a way that seems almost silly or weird. For example, a fire station burning down or a traffic cop getting a speeding ticket. Irony shows the unexpected twist in a situation.

Juxtaposition

To place two different things close together to create an interesting or striking contrast. It's like putting two very different objects, ideas, or characters side by side to highlight their differences. For example, showing a fancy mansion next to a run-down shack, or mixing serious and funny elements in a story to create a unique effect.