AP Lang Terms (all cards)

ad-hominem argument

From the Latin meaning “to or against the man,” this is an argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason, to feeling rather intellect and typically attacks the opponent's character instead of addressing the argument itself.

Which is an example of ad hominem argument?

We shouldn’t trust Dr. Smith’s research on solar energy because he was once caught speeding.

allegory

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

Which is an example of an allegory?

In George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” he portrays the farm animals overthrowing their owner to the 1917 Russian Revolution/Soviet Union. The animals symbolize different societal roles, illustrating the conflict between different groups in the revolution.

alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words (as in “she sells sea shells'“). The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, and/or supply a musical sound.

Which is an example of alliteration?

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,”

allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something that is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.

Which is an example of a allusion?

Don’t be such a Scrooge during the holidays.

ambiguity

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

Which is an example of ambiguity?

I saw the man with the binoculars (which means you either used the binoculars to see the man, or the man was holding the binoculars).

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

Which is an example of an analogy?

Finding a good book in a disorganized library is like finding a needle in a haystack (compares the two because of how they are both time consuming)

antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause that a pronoun refers to, typically appearing earlier in a sentence.

What is an example of an antecedent?

In the sentence "The cat stretched after it woke up," the _______ is "the cat," which is referred to by the pronoun "it."

antithesis

A figure of speech involving a seeming contradiction of ideas, words, clauses, or sentences within a balanced gramatical structure. The resulting parallelism serves to emphasize opposition of ideas. The familiar phrase “Man proposes, God disposes” is an example of antithesis, as is John Dryden’s description in The Hind and the Panther: “Too black for heaven, and yet too white for hell.”

What is an example of antithesis?

In the statement "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," the contrast between a small step and a giant leap. Also contrasts the difference between one man and an entire mankind.

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship that expresses a general truth or moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.)

Which is an example of aphorism?

"Actions speak louder than words," which conveys the idea that what one does is more significant than what one says.

Apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. The effect may add familiarity or emotional intensity. William Wordsworth addresses John Milton as he writes, “Milton, thou shouldst be living at this hour: England hath need of thee.”

Which is an example of apostrophe?

"O Death, where is thy sting?" where the speaker addresses Death as if it were a person capable of response.

Atmosphere

The emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author’s choice of objects that are described. Even such elements as a description of the weather can contribute, and it foreshadows events too.

Which is an example of atmosphere?

The use of dark, stormy weather in a horror story, which can evoke feelings of tension and dread, influencing the reader's emotional experience.

caricature

A representation, especially pictorial or literacy, in which the subject’s distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect. Sometimes it can be so exaggerated that it becomes a grotesque imitation or misrepresentation. Synonymous words, which include burlesque, parody, travesty, satire, lampoon.

Which would be an example of caricature?

A political cartoon that exaggerates a candidate's facial features and mannerisms to create humor or critique their character.

chiasmus

A figure of speech based on inverted parallelism. It is a rhetorical figure in which two clauses are related to each another through a reversal of terms. The purpose is usually to make a larger point or to provide balance or order.

clause

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, _____ expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate ______ cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by the independent.

colloquialism

Slang or informality in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, these give work a conversational, familiar tone. These expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects. This displays intellectual cleverness due to the unusual comparison being made.

connotation

The nonliteral, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. These may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

denotation

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

diction

Related to style, this refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

didactic

From the Greek, this word literally means “instructive.” These works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

euphemism

From the Greek for “good speech,” these are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. These may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness, or to add humor or ironic understatement.

Extended metaphor

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

Figurative language

Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid.

figure of speech

A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. These include, for example, apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.

generic conventions

Describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate between an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing.

genre

Major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama. However, this is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exists many subdivisions that are often called these themselves.

Which is an example of chiasmus?

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”

Which is an example of an independent clause?

"The dog barked at the mail carrier."

Which is an example of a dependent clause?

"...because she was tired."

Which is an example of a clause?

"Sarah went to sleep early because she was tired."

Which is an example of colloquialism?

"y'all," "gonna"

Which is an example of conceit?

Comparing two lovers' souls to a mathematician's drawing compass.

Which is an example of connotation?

"frugal" vs. "cheap"

Which is an example of denotation?

• Word: Hollywood

• Def: A neighborhood located in Los Angeles, California.

Which is an example of diction?

Scenario: Answering the phone when your teacher calls vs. when your best friend calls.

• "Hello, Mr. Davis. Good afternoon." (Polite, precise, structured)

• "Hey, what's up?" (Casual, relaxed, everyday slang)

Which is an example of didactic?

Aesop’s fable "The Tortoise and the Hare"

Which is an example of euphemism?

• "He is between jobs right now."

• Literal Meaning: He is unemployed or got fired.

Which is an example of an extended metaphor?

Maya Angelou’s poem "Caged Bird"

Instead of just making a quick comparison in one line, Angelou compares a bird trapped in a cage to an oppressed group of people fighting for freedom across the entire poem:

Which is an example of figurative language?

"My backpack weighs a million pounds today!"

Which is an example of figure of speech?

"That test was a piece of cake!"

The test wasn't actually a baked dessert—the phrase is an idiom used non-literally to mean the test was very easy.

Which is an example of generic conventions?

Horror Movie:

• Setting: An abandoned house, a dark forest, or an isolated cabin in bad weather.

• Characters: A masked villain/monster, a skeptical adult, and a "final survivor."

• Audio & Visuals: Creepy orchestral music, sudden silence followed by a jump scare, and dim lighting with heavy shadows.

• Plot Structure: A peaceful start that quickly turns into a struggle for survival as characters get separated.

Which is an example of genre?

Science Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Historical Fiction

homily

This term literally means “sermon,” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. These often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, these produce irony at the same time.

imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstraction. On a physical level, these terms relate to the five senses and help paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind. On a broader and deeper level, one of these can represent more than one thing too.

inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information provided.

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; the difference between what appears to be and what actually is true. This is used for many reasons, but frequently, it’s used to create poignancy or humor. There are three types: verbal, situational, and dramatic.

juxtaposition

Placing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

loose sentence

A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many loose sentences often seems informal, relaxed, and conversational.

metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. This language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.

metonymy

A term from the Greek meaning " “changed label” or “substitute name,” this is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.

mood

This term has two distinct technical meanings in English writing. The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker’s attitude. The indicative of this is used only for factual sentences. The subjunctive of this is used for a doubtful or conditional attitude. The imperative of this is used for commands. The second meaning of this term is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood. In this usage, mood is similar to atmosphere and tone.

Which is an example of homily?

A priest giving a short sermon during Sunday mass encouraging the congregation to forgive their neighbors.

Which is an example of hyperbole?

I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!

Which is an example of imagery?

The crisp autumn air smelled of burnt maple leaves, while golden foliage crunched softly underfoot.

Which is an example of inference?

You walk into a classroom, see damp umbrellas, wet jackets, and puddle tracks, and think: "It must be raining outside."

Which is an example of invective?

You are an absolute coward, a treacherous hypocrite, and a miserable excuse for a leader!

Which is an example of irony?

A fire station burning down due to unattended candles in the kitchen.

Which is an example of juxtaposition?

Placing a ultra-modern, glass skyscraper right next to a centuries-old, crumbling Gothic cathedral.

Which is an example of a loose sentence?

The boy went to the store to buy ice cream, even though it was pouring rain and getting dark outside.

Which is an example of a metaphor?

His voice was velvet.

Which is an example of metonymy?

The Crown announced a new public holiday today.

Which is an example of mood?

A dark, rainy night with howling winds, creaking floorboards, and flickering candles creates a gloomy and suspenseful atmosphere.

Which is an example of verbal irony?

During a torrential downpour with 40 mph winds, a person steps outside, looks at the sky, and says, "What lovely weather we're having today!"

Which is an example of situational irony?

A marriage counselor who has written three best-selling books on maintaining relationships files for divorce.

Which is an example of dramatic irony?

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Romeo finds Juliet asleep from a potion and drinks real poison thinking she is dead. The audience knows she will wake up in seconds.