AP Language Exam Review & Spring Final Study Guide

Vocabulary and concept flashcards derived from AP Language Exam review notes and the 2026 Spring Final Study Guide, covering rhetorical devices, logical fallacies, and literary analysis of 'I Have a Dream', 'The Road Not Taken', 'The Things They Carried', and 'The Crucible'.

Allusion

A rhetorical device involving an indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.

Analogy

A rhetorical device used to create a comparison between two different things to highlight their similarities.

Anaphora

A rhetorical device characterized by the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Antithesis

A rhetorical device that uses a contrast of ideas expressed by parallelism of words that are the opposites of each other.

Anecdote

A short and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed to support or demonstrate some point and make the audience laugh.

Asyndeton

A rhetorical device that consists of omitting conjunctions (such as 'and' or 'but') between words, phrases, or clauses.

Polysyndeton

A stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions are used in succession in order to achieve an artistic effect.

Diction

The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing, often used as a descriptor for tone.

Imagery

Visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work; used by King in 'I Have a Dream' to create pathos.

Juxtaposition

The act of placing two things side-by-side to highlight their differences or create a contrasting effect.

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable; used by Frost in 'The Road Not Taken' to develop theme.

Parallelism

The use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, or meaning.

Paradox

A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well-founded or true.

Repetition

The action of repeating words or phrases to reinforce an idea, such as King repeating 'I have a dream' or O'Brien repeating 'they carried'.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

Tone

The general character or attitude of a piece of writing, such as the narrator's tone about war in 'The Things They Carried'.

Understatement

The presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is.

Claim

A primary argument or assertion that a writer or speaker is trying to prove.

Evidence

The facts, statistics, anecdotes, or citations used to support a claim or reasoning.

Counterclaim

An argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument.

Reasoning

The logical sequence of thinking that links evidence to a claim.

Concession

The act of yielding or conceding a point in an argument to the opposing side.

Refutation

The part of an argument where a speaker or writer encounters contradicting points of view and proves them wrong.

Bias

A prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Credibility

The quality of being trusted and believed in, often referred to as ethos.

Fallacy

A failure in reasoning that renders an argument invalid.

Qualifier

A word or phrase that clarifies, modifies, or limits the meaning of another word or phrase to make an argument more precise.

Ad Hominem

A logical fallacy that involves attacking the character or personal traits of an opponent rather than their argument.

Bandwagon

A logical fallacy based on the assumption that the opinion of the majority is always valid (i.e., 'everyone is doing it').

False Dilemma

A logical fallacy that presents only two options or sides when there are actually many.

Hasty Generalization

A logical fallacy in which a conclusion is reached based on insufficient or biased evidence.

Slippery Slope

A logical fallacy that suggests a relatively small first step will lead to a chain of related (usually negative) events.

Rhetorical situation

The set of circumstances (exigence, audience, purpose, and context) surrounding a piece of communication.

Exigence

The specific issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak.

Audience

The specific group of people for whom a text or speech is intended.

Purpose

The goal the speaker or writer wants to achieve (e.g., to persuade, inform, or entertain).

Context

The circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text.

Sophistication

A criterion in AP Lang evaluation reflecting a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation and nuanced argument.

Colloquial

A tone or diction descriptor for language used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.

Didactic

A tone descriptor for writing intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.

Nostalgic

A tone descriptor for language exhibiting a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.

Satirical

A tone descriptor using irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to expose and criticize foolishness or corruption.

Logos

The use of logic and reasoning in an argument; used by King in his 'I Have a Dream' speech.

Pathos

The appeal to emotion, often established through imagery in King's 'I Have a Dream' speech.

Ethos

The establishment of credibility and trust with an audience; a key element in King's speech.

Symbolism in 'The Road Not Taken'

The roads represent choices and paths in life; the opening line uses figurative language to introduce this metaphor.

Symbolism in 'The Things They Carried'

The items carried by the soldiers represent their physical and emotional burdens during the war.

Jimmy Cross

Characters in 'The Things They Carried' who carries Martha's letters, whose distraction affects the platoon, and who eventually burns the letters.

Internal Conflict in 'The Crucible'

The personal struggle experienced by John Proctor, culminating in his refusal to sign a false confession to protect his name.

Abigail

The character in 'The Crucible' who manipulates the girls and uses fear to drive the witch trials.

Elizabeth Proctor

John Proctor's wife, who lies in court during 'The Crucible', a pivotal moment in the play.

Reverend Hale

A character in 'The Crucible' who undergoes a significant change in perspective as the witch trials progress.

Giles Corey

A character in 'The Crucible' who is punished by the court, reflecting larger societal problems within Salem.