AP Lang Terms "B-H"

Bombast

inflated or pretentious language that does not match the context of its use ('I have an affinity for that peculiarly American sandwich, known to commoners as a hamburger")

Cacophony

an author's choice of words, usually alliterative, that create a harsh, discordant, grating sound when read aloud. ("I beat the Crab King and killed his pitiful pets.")

Caricature

occurs when an author exaggerates or distorts certain traits of an individual for a ludicrous effect (Roderigo's weakness, exaggerated to an almost humorous level)

Chiasmus

the reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases. (Fair is foul, and foul is fair)

Circumlocution

unnecessary wordiness, the use of many words when a few would express the idea with clarity. ("She successfully avoided the tag" obviously it was successful, why add the word?)

Claim

the proposition put forth in an argument. Can be absolute or qualified. (Ants are a nuisance.)

Clause

a statement that contains a noun and a verb. Can be dependent on another one (Odysseus being very cunning and able to get out of any scrape) or independent (Odysseus was cunning and could get out of any scrape)

Cliche

an expression that has become ineffective through overuse. (as easy as pie)

Colloquialism

an informal expression that is conversational in nature and usually reflects the culture or an area/group; vernacular. Acceptable in writing if used purposefully, since they can provide characterization. (sub vs hoagie, can explain where the character is from)

Colon

a form of punctuation typically used to introduce lists in a sentence. Should not interrupt an independent clause (Today at camp we did my favorite things: hiking, swimming, and storytelling)

Complex sentence

composed of at least one dependent clause and one independent clause joined in one sentence. (Because you dropped the ball, you are benched.)

Compound sentence

composed of two or more independent clauses that are joined in one sentence. (I like coffee, but she likes tea) (Number 3 Sentence)

Concrete

refers to specific, particular, or material details. Opposite of abstract. (He grinned as he pocketed the coin.)

Connotation

refers to the implied or suggested meaning of a word. (fox implies slick, sneaky)

Consonance

the repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a series of words. (Splish splash)

Coordinating conjunction

words that provide a loose link among items that are equal in rank. (FANBOYS)

Deduction

the process of reasoning from a general claim to the specific cases.

Denotation

refers to the direct relationship between a term and the object, idea, or action it signifies (fox is a small woodland creature)

Dependent clause

A clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence, it requires an independent clause to give it meaning (Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me)

Description

one of the four primary modes of writing in composition courses, exposition, narrative, and analysis are the others. Can be either objective or subjective

Dialogue

spoken words, either real or imagined, that are recorded in a piece of writing. Useful for revealing aspects of a character's personality, as well as events in the narrative

Diction

refers to the choice of words in a piece of speech or writing. Closely related to tone.

didactic

attempts to teach a moral or lesson in a work or fiction or non-fiction.

Digression

a movement away from the main focus in a speech or writing. Can be intentional or unintentional

Direct Object

a person or thing affected by the action of a transitive verb. ("James fought his nemesis behind Walmart" who did James fight? His nemesis)

Dysphemism

a belittling expression used to describe someone or something. Used to emphasize shortcomings, failings. ("I hate your stupid, ugly monster face" instead of just "I think you're unattractive")

Ellipses

3 successive periods that indicate the intentional omission of words in a thought or quote. (...)

Elliptical Construction

the deliberate omission of words from a sentence for rhetorical effect. ("Junior year was rough and senior year the same." no "was" when talking about senior year)

Emphasis

the placement of important ideas and words within sentences and longer units of writing so that they have the greatest impact. Achieved by any means that highlight a syllable, word, phrase, etc. ("Get to your room, now!" Now is highlighted by the exclamation mark and placement in the sentence.)

Epistle

a work of poetry or prose that is presented in a series of letters.

Epistrophe

a figure of speech where successive phrases or clauses all end with the same word. (When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child)

Epithet

a word or phrase which is attached to a character for the purposes of description in a work of literature or non-fiction. (Alexander the Great)

Eponymous

a person in a work of fiction whose name is derived from the title or vice versa (Song of Achilles)

Ethos

the characteristic spirit or ideal that informs a work. Also refers more generally to the ethics or values of the the arguer: honesty, trust-worthiness, and morality. (My 10 years of military experience should indicate that I am ready to lead the country as President)

Euphemism

a mild or pleasant-sounding expression that substitutes for harsh, indelicate ideas. Often used to soften the impact of what is being discussed. ("Gil has passed away" vs "He died of a crippling heart attack")

Evidence

the grounds upon which a judgement or argument is based, proof.

Figure of Speech

Comparisons that highlight the similarities between things that are basically dissimilar. (Ex: __Simile__: An implicit comparison introduced by like or as: “The boxer is like a lion.”) (__Metaphor__: An implied comparison that uses one thing as the equivalent of another: “The wrestler is an animal.”) (__Personification__: A special kind of simile or metaphor in which human traits are assigned to an inanimate object: “I knew my calculator would malfunction on test day. It is out to get me!”)

Figurative Language

a categorial term for all uses of language that imply an imaginative comparison. This term refers to language that appeals to sensory experience. (Ex. “I felt the sunshine on my skin, hearing the buzzing of the bees, while gazing at the gentle babble of the brook in the distance.”)

Foreshadowing

a purposeful hint placed in a work of literature to suggest what may occur later in the narrative. (ex. A character throwing rocks into glass bottles could hint at his eventual career as a pitcher in the Major Leagues.)

Gobbledygook

a mode of speech where the language is completly unintelligble (Ex. “It’s time to realize our strategic growth mindset and use operational mindfulness to make our presence known in the industry with quality implementation methodologies.”)

Harangue

an emotionally based speech meant to spur an audience into action. (Ex. “This that you have heard is the case of every one of you that are out of Christ. That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone is extended abroad under you. There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell’s wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of: there is nothing between you and hell but the air; ‘tis only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.”)

Hypaersis

the omission of a letter from a word, usually to condense the number of syllables. (Ex. “O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”)

Hyperbole

a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used to achieve emphasis, usually for comical effect. (ex. “You really drive me up the wall!” or “The lunch line is a thousand people long!”)

Hypostatization

a form of personification in which an abstract concept takes on living qualities. (ex. “Guilt forced me to confess.” or “Justice is the leader of this country.”)