AP English Language and Composition Terms

allegory

using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning

alliteration

the repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in 2+ neighboring words

allusion

a direct/indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known

ambiguity

having multiple meaning, 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. It can help explain an unfamiliar things by comparison.

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 which expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If anonymous, called a folk proverb)

apostrophe

a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction (i.e. love or liberty)

caricature

a verbal description with the purpose to exaggerate or distort a person's characteristics for comic effect

clause

contains both a subject and a verb. Main (independent) clauses can stand alone as a sentence. Dependent (subordinate) clauses must be accompanied by an independent clause.

colloquialism

use of slang/informalities in speech or writing

conceit

a fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.

connotation

the non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied/suggested meaning.

denotation

the strict, literal dictionary definition of a word

diction

the writer's word choices

didactic

literally means teaching; describes words that are for teaching or instructing, especially with morals or ethical principles

euphemism

less offensive substitute for an unpleasant word or idea. Ex. earthly remains instead of corpse

extended metaphor

a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in/throughout a work

figurative language

writing or speech not intended to carry literal meaning

hyperbole

a figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

imagery

sensory details of figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions

invective

an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language

irony

the contrast between what is explicitly stated and what is really meant. Or, the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.

verbal irony

the words literally state the opposite of the writer's meaning

situational irony

when events turn out the opposite of what was expected

dramatic irony

when facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience or other characters in the work

litotes (sounds like little tee)

a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite; opposite of hyperbole

loose/ non-periodic sentence

type of sentence in which the main clause comes first followed by dependent clause(s).

metaphor

figure of speech using implied comparison

metonymy

figure of speech in which the name of an object is substituted for a similar name. Ex. The white house for the president

onomatopoeia

figure of speech when woods imitate sounds. Ex. hiss, crack, band

oxymoron

figure of speech where the author groups contradictory things to suggest a paradox. Ex. jumbo shrimp and cruel kindness

paradox

a statement that appears to be self-contradictory but has some degree of truth or validity

parallelism

also known as parallel structure, ordering words, phrases or paragraphs to create structural similarity

anaphora

a type of parallelism with the exact repetition of words or phrases is at the beginning of successive lines or sentences

parody

a work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comedy or ridicule

pedantic

describes words, phrases or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic or bookish

periodic sentence

dependent clause first, then main clause at end.

personification

figure of speech when concepts, animals or inanimate objects are given humanlike characteristics or emotions

repetition

exact or approximate duplication of any element of language such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence or grammatical pattern

rhetoric

principles of how to write effectively, eloquently and persuasively

rhetorical modes

the variety, conventions and purposes of the major kinds of writing. The four most common rhetorical modes are exposition (explain and analyze), argumentation (aka persuasive writing), description (describe for the reader) and narration(tell a stroy or narrate an event)

sarcasm

bitter language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.

satire

a work that targets human vice or follies or social conventions and institutions to reform or ridicule

semantics

branch of linguistics that studies the meaning and origin of words

subject complement

the word or clause that follows a linking verb that describes the subject by renaming the subject (predicate nominative) or describing the subject (predicate adjective)

syllogism

a deductive system of logic that presents 2 premises that lead to a sound conclusion. Ex. 1. All men are mortal. 2. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

symbol

anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

natural symbols

objects or occurrences in nature that symbolize ideas associated with them. Ex. roses and love

conventional symbols

symbols that have been invested with meaning by a group. Ex. cross and christianity

literary symbols

symboles that are in variety of books and are more generally recognized.

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole or the whole represents a part. Ex. calling a car "wheels" or referring to all of the string instruments in an orchestra as "the strings"

synesthesia

a sensory stimulus that evokes the subjective experience of another. Ex. seeing red ants makes you itchy

syntax

the way an author structures his words into phrase, clauses and sentences.

understatement

the ironic minimalizing of fact

wit

intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights. Witty statements are humorous while demonstrating the speaker's ability to use words to make ingenious or perceptive remarks