AP Lang Semester II Final

imagery

words that trigger the reader to engage the reader

theme

the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a work of writing

antithesis

a rhetorical device that pairs exact opposites or contradicting ideas in a parallel grammatical structure

metaphor

a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated

characterization

the ways individual characters are represented by the narrator or author of the text

foreshadowing

a literary device in which authors produce hints about future events, creating anticipation and preparing readers for what’s to come

asyndeton

a literary device that excludes conjunctions to add emphasis to sentences, phrases, or clauses

simile

a comparison using “like” or “as” to show a common quality between them

symbolism

a device in which a person, situation, word, or object is used to represent another thing

personification

a literary device that uses metaphors to give human characteristics to objects and animals

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa (ex: “Cleveland won by six runs”)

allusion

a literary device that makes an indirect reference to people, places, things, or events

internal conflict

a struggle within the mind of a character, who must debate their emotions, beliefs, or desires

polysyndeton

a literary device that uses multiple repetitions of the same conjunction (most commonly the word “and”)

metonymy

a figure of speech in which a related term is substituted for the word itself (ex: “The Crown” for the British monarchy)

allusion

a literary device that makes an indirect reference to people, places, things or events, either real or imaginary

black humor

a kind of comedy that jokes about serious or depressing topics, such as hopelessness, suffering, or death

characterization

the process by which a character is developed in a narrative

dialect

a version of a language that is intelligible from a language, but that differs in systemic ways

epic

a lengthy, narrative work of poetry

metaphor

a comparison between two things that are otherwise unrelated

onomatopoeia

using or creating words that imitate or name a sound

point of view

the narrator’s perspective on events in a story

repetition

using the same word or phrase over and over again in a piece of writing

stream of consciousness

a narrative technique that aims to depict the inner workings of a character’s mind by presenting their thoughts and feelings on a continuous, typically disjointed and non-linear form

symbol

characters, settings, images, or other motifs that stand for bigger ideas

unreliable narrator

a narrator whose perspective cannot be fully trusted

cause and effect

causal analysis; uncovers the connections between phenomena; can be used as a dominant or supplement mode

pattern of development

method of developing a story

Determines what supporting material and tone will be most effective in a cause and effect essay

purpose and audience

Causal Chain

one cause or effect brings about another, which in turn brings about another

post hoc, ego propter hoc fallacy

assuming one event caused the next because they happened chronologically

Complexity in cause and effect

avoid absolutes

use “most likely” and “is probably that”

don’t be too reluctant either

Division

involves taking a single unit or concept, breaking down the unit into its parts and then analyzing the connections among the parts and between the parts and the whole

Classification

brings two or more related items together and categorizes them according to kind or type

Use of division and classification when organizing arguments

divisions can be helpful during prewriting, especially for complex topics

Classification can be used for imposing order on scattered ideas during prewriting