AP Lang Q2 Lit Terms

Analogy

Analogy

A comparison of two different things that are similar in some way

Anecdote

a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

Allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Aphorism

a concise, memorable expression that states a general principle

epigram

a short satirical statement can end with an ingenious/surprise ending

Coherence

the connection and flow of ideas in an argument in a fashion that makes sense to the reader

Discursive

jumping from subject to subject without connection or lacking proper transitions

declarative sentence

states a fact or opinion always ends with a period.

exclamatory sentence

Makes a statement, but conveys emotion. End in an exclamation point

imperative sentence

Used to make a command. Usually end in a period or an exclamation point

interrogative sentence

Used to ask a question. Ends with question mark

Per se

literally means by itself. Sense of "intrinsically" or "in and of itself". Used to distinguish something's narrow sense and some larger thing that it represents.

De facto

in fact; actually; in reality

Farce

a comedy with horseplay, crude characterization, and ludicrously impossible situation

Parody

an imitation of style, usually to a dramatic exaggeration and comical effect

Satire

use of exaggeration, irony, ridicule, or humor to criticize people's views, typically on political or topical issues.

Foil

A character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character; can also be used for any comparison that is drawn to portray a difference between two things

Caricature

a device used in descriptive writing and visual arts in which particular aspects of a subject are exaggerated to create a silly/comic effect (can be an exaggeration of natural features, plastic illustration, derisive drawing)

Ad infinitum

A latin phrase meaning "to infinity" or forever. Can be used to describe a non-terminating process, a non-terminating repeating process, or a set of instructions to be repeated "forever."

Ad nauseum

A latin term for argument or other discussion that has been repeated so often her it becomes annoying or tiresome; to the point of nausea.

Inference

a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

implication

the conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated.

Bona fide

Latin word meaning genuine or sincere

Quasi

Latin word meaning seemingly or almost; it is usually combined with another word

Loose Sentences

a sentence where the main/independent clause is followed by one or more dependent clauses/phrases

Periodic Sentences

reversed; the phrases and dependent clauses come first, followed by the main clause.

Metonymy

when two objects are so closely related but distinct, you can use them interchangeably.

Synecdoche

when a word or phrase that refers to a part of something is substituted to stand in for the whole, or vice versa.

Non-sequitor

A statement that holds little to no relevance to its predecessor and/or contain a logical fallacy.

Rhetorical Question

A question someone asks without expecting an answer. The question might not have an answer, or it might have an obvious answer.

Semantics

The branch of linguistics or logic concerned with meaning. Additionally, it is the meaning of a word, phrase, sentence, or text.

Stream of Consciousness

A style of writing that tries to capture the natural flow of a character's thought process, often through the incorporation of sensory impressions, incomplete ideas, unusual syntax, and/or rough grammar.

Digression

Used to create a temporary departure from the main subject of the narrative to focus on apparently unrelated topics, explaining background details.

Inverted order syntax

Change in the normal pattern of words in a sentence; predicate (verb) comes before the subject (noun); draws attention, creates emphasis, and slows down reading speed

Verbatim

word for word; in the exact same words

Cautionary Tale

A story meant to warn its readers

Parable

A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson