AP Lang Terms

Anecdote

Short story/event proposed to demonstrate a point.

Anecdotal

Adjective Anecdote

Anecdotally

Adverb Anecdote

Conceit

Extended metaphor to compare two dissimilar things

Conceited

Adjective Conceit

Connotation

The informal definition of a word beyond its literal meaning

Connotate

Verb Connotation

Connotative

Adjective Connotation

Connotatively

Adverb Connotation

Denotation

Specific, literal meaning of a word

Denote

Verb Denotation

Denotative

Adjective Denotation

Denotatively

Adverb Denotation

Dichotomy

A difference between two opposite things or a division between two opposite groups

Dichotomous

Adjective Dichotomy

Dichotomously

Adverb Dichotomy

Didactic

Intended to teach

Didact

Noun Didactic

Didactically

Adverb Didactic

Dogma

A blind or unquestioned set of beliefs, religious

Dogmatize

Verb Dogma

Dogmatic

Adjective Dogma

Dogmatically

Adverb Dogma

Enumerate

To name things off in a list one after another

Enumeration

Noun Enumerate

Enumerated

Adjective Enumerate

Enumeratedily

Adverb Enumerate

Expository

Intended to explain or describe something

Exposition

Noun Expository

Expositorily

Adverb Expository

Pedantic

Overly concerned with minute details or formalities, especially in teaching

Pedant or Pedantry

Noun Pedantic

Pedantically

Adverb Pedantic

Aphorism

Short phrase that expresses a wise or true idea

Aphoristic

Adjective Aphorism

Aphorisitcally

Adverb Aphorism

Colloquilaism

Word or phrase used in informal speech

Colloquial

Adjective Colloquialism

Colloquially

Adverb Colloquialism

Contemplative

Involving, allowing, or causing deep thought

Contemplate

Verb Contemplative

Contemplatively

Adverb Contemplative

Diatribe

Angry speech or piece of writing that strongly criticizes someone or something

Elegiac

Relating or compromising of an elegy expressing sorrow for something now past

Elegy

Noun Elegiac

Elegiacally

Adverb Elegiac

Euphemism

Mild or pleasant way of saying something unpleasant or offensive

Euphemistic

Adjective Euphemism

Euphemistically

Adverb Euphemism

Homily

A sermon or lecture on or of a moral theme

Invective

Of, relating to, or characterized by insult or abuse

Syllogism

A formal argument in logic where two statements form a conclusion

Diction

Choice of words in regards to correctness, clearness or effectiveness

Digression

A temporary departure from main subject in speech or writing

Epiphany

A moment where one suddenly sees/understands something in a new or clear way

Jargon

Language used for particular activity or group of people

Juxtapose

Place different things/ideas/characters together to create interesting effect of difference/similarities

Prosaic

Commonplace, factual, matter of fact

Prose

Written or spoken language in ordinary form with out metrical structure

Semantics

A mistake in speech/writing; an impolite or improper way of behaving

Treatise

A systematic exposition or argument that includes a methodical discussion of the facts and principles involved and conclusions reached.

Dictate

Verb Diction

Digress

Verb Digression

Digressive

Adjective Digression

Digressively

Adverb Digression

Prosaically

Adverb Prosaic

Semantic

Adjective Semantics

Semantically

Adverb Semantics

Epiphanic

Adjective Epiphany

Epiphanically

Adverb Epiphany

Abstract

Existing as an idea, feeling, or quality; as opposed to concrete

Allusion

Implied or indirect reference, especially in literature

Cliche

Phrase or expression that has become overly familiar or commonplace

Concrete

Pertaining to or concerned with realities or actual instances rather than abstractions

Deductive

Of, relating to, or provable by deriving conclusions by reasoning

Farcical

Ludicrous or nonsensical

Hypothetical

Involving or being based on a suggested idea or theory or something that might happen

Narrative

A report of related events presented to listeners or readers, in words arranged in a logical sequence (aka, a story)

Pun

A play on words that produced a humorous effect by using a word that suggests two or more meanings, or by exploiting similar sounding words that have different meanings

Satire

A technique employed by writers to expose and critize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society, by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule

Cynical

Contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives

Anticlimax

An event, period, or outcome that is strikingly less important or dramatic than expected

Antecedent

A word later represented by a pronoun (Ex. Bob killed his mom)

Clause

A group of words containing a subject and predicate (verb pertaining to subject) and that is part of a complex or compound sentence

Convey

To communicate by statement, suggestion, gesture, or appearance

Prepositional Phrase

A phrase that begins with a preposition and ends in a noun, or noun phrase
Ex. He is from Russia

Qualify

To limit or modify the meaning of something

Rebuttal

The act of refuting something by making an adverse argument or presenting another point of view

Refute

To disprove an idea, statement, or theory

Subordinate Clause

A clause typically introduced by a conjunction that is dependent on the main/independent clause
Ex. Unless Bob’s mom dies, he will be sad

Syntax

The way in which words are put together to form phrases, clauses, or sentences
Which parts of sentence come first and whatnot

Antecedental

Adjective Antecedent

Antecedently

Adjective Antecedent

Conveyance

Noun Convey

Qualification

Noun Qualify

Qualified

Adjective Qualify

Rebut

Verb Rebuttal

Rebuttable

Adjective Rebuttal

Refutation

Noun Refute

Refutable

Adjective Refute