AP Lang

Active Voice

The subject of the sentence performs the action. This is a more direct and preferred style of writing in most cases.

Passive Voice

when the subject of the sentence receives the action. Passive voice is often overused, resulting in lifeless writing.

Active Voice Example

“Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house.”

Passive Voice Example

“The car was driven by Anthony.”

Allusion

An indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.

Alter-ego

A character that is used by the author to speak the author’s own thoughts; when an author speaks directly to the audience through a character.

Alter-ego Example

In Shakespeare’s last play, The Tempest, Shakespeare talks to his audience about his own upcoming retirement, through the main character in the play, Prospero.

Anecdote

A brief recounting of a relevant episode. they are often inserted into fictional or non fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.

Antecedent

The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

Antecedent Example

“If I could command the wealth of all the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for it.”

Classicism

Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures

Comic Relief

when a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat.

Diction

Word choice, particularly as an element of style.

Different Types of Diction

• Colloquial

• Connotation

• Denotation

• Jargon

• Vernacular

Colloquial

Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.

Connotation

the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning.

Denotation

The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.

Jargon

The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.

Vernacular

1. Language or dialect of a particular country.

2. Language or dialect of a regional clan or group.

3. Plain everyday speech

Didactic

A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or

provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.

Adage

A folk saying with a lesson.

Allegory

A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth.

Aphorism

A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. it can be a memorable summation of the author's point.

Ellipsis

The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.

Euphemism

A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. Sometimes they are used for political correctness.

Figurative Language

writing that is not meant to be taken literally.

Literal Language

it is writing that makes complete sense when you take it at face value.

Analogy

a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.

Hyperbole

Exaggeration

Idiom

A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.

Metaphor

Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.

Metonymy

Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.

Synecdoche

A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts, or vice versa.

Simile

Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very different things.

Synesthesia

a description involving a “crossing of the senses.”

Synesthesia examples

“A purplish scent filled the room.” “I was deafened by his brightly-colored clothing.”

Personification:

Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.