AP Language and Composition Literary Terms (Pages 1-3)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key rhetorical and literary terms from the lecture notes (Pages 1–3).

ad hominem argument

An argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason, attacking the person (to or against the man) rather than the issue.

allegory

The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning; often conveys moral truth or a general statement about human existence.

alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words; can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, or provide a musical effect.

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something assumed to be commonly known; can be historical, literary, religious, mythical, etc.

ambiguity

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

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them; used to explain unfamiliar concepts by linking them to something familiar.

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun; often tested in complex sentences.

antithesis

A figure of speech involving a seeming contradiction of ideas or words within a balanced structure, emphasizing opposition.

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship that expresses a general truth or moral principle; can be a folk proverb if authorship is unknown.

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction, adding emotional intensity.

atmosphere

The emotional mood created by the entire literary work, partly through setting and description; often foreshadows events.

caricature

A representation in which distinctive features are exaggerated for comic or grotesque effect; can become a grotesque misrepresentation.

chiasmus

A figure of speech based on inverted parallelism; reversal of terms in related clauses to create balance or emphasis.

clause

A grammatical unit with a subject and a verb; independent clauses can stand alone, dependent clauses cannot.

colloquial/colloquialism

Slang or informal speech; not generally acceptable in formal writing and gives a conversational tone.

conceit

A fanciful or extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects, showing intellectual cleverness.

connotation

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; ideas, emotions, or attitudes connected to it.

denotation

The strict, literal dictionary definition of a word, devoid of emotion or color.

diction

The writer’s word choices and style; describes formality, ornate vs. plain language, and how word choice supports purpose.

didactic

From Greek, meaning instructive; didactic works aim to teach, especially moral or ethical principles.

euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for unpleasant words or concepts; can adhere to politeness standards or add humor.

extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently throughout a work.

figurative language

Language not meant to be taken literally; imaginative and vivid in expression.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language; includes apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, etc.

generic conventions

Traditions for each genre that define it and distinguish it from other genres; helps identify genre characteristics.

genre

The major category of a literary work (prose, poetry, drama); within these there are subdivisions like fiction, nonfiction, lyric, dramatic, etc.